Acute stress disorder in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence following exposure to a traumatic event

Studies investigating rates of acute stress disorder following exposure to a traumatic event report widely varying results, even when examining the same types of traumatic events. The first purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to describe rates of acute stress disorder following five different types of traumatic events. The second goal was to assess the methodological and trauma-related factors influencing these rates. Between May 2017 and October 2019, studies were identified by searching through the PsychINFO, PubMed/Medline, OVID, CINAHL, Scopus, and PILOTS databases. Records were included if (1) participants were 16 years old and over, (2) the assessment was completed within 30 days of the event, (3) a standardized assessment instrument was utilized, (4) the type of traumatic event was specified, and (5) the acute stress disorder rate was reported. The list of traumatic events used for the search strategy was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and was complemented by those listed in the Life Events Checklist and the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Seventy-three samples from 70 studies totaling 20,065 participants met inclusion criteria. Results revealed that rates of acute stress disorder ranged from 14.1% for war-related trauma to 36.0% for interpersonal trauma. Interpersonal trauma was significantly more likely to lead to acute stress disorder than other types of events, except for disaster-related trauma. Differing assessment instruments, types of exposure and geographical locations, and the intentional nature of certain events contributed to heterogeneity in rates within each type of traumatic event.

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Pharmacological prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The Lancet Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s2215-0366(14)00121-7 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (5) ◽

pp. 413-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

Marit Sijbrandij ◽

Annet Kleiboer ◽

Jonathan I Bisson ◽

Corrado Barbui ◽

Pim Cuijpers

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Acute Stress Disorder ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Pharmacological Prevention ◽

Post Traumatic

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Efficacy of an Early Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Acute Stress Disorder in Mexican Earthquake Victims

The Spanish Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1017/sjp.2020.37 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 ◽

Author(s):

Raúl Durón-Figueroa ◽

Georgina Cárdenas-López ◽

Soledad Quero

Keyword(s):

Early Intervention ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Single Case ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Acute Stress Disorder ◽

Significant Clinical Improvement ◽

Quasi Experimental

Abstract Acute stress disorder (ASD) refers to the symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the first four weeks following the traumatic event. Recent theoretical models suggest that early detection of ASD provides an opportunity to implement early interventions to prevent the development of PTSD or ameliorate its symptomatology. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the efficacy of an ASD treatment for earthquake victims, which would serve as an early intervention for PTSD. A single-case (n = 1) quasi-experimental design was used, with pre and post-assessments, as well as one, three and six-month follow-ups, with direct treatment replications. Fourteen participants completed the treatment and the follow-up measurements. The results obtained using a single-case analysis showed significant clinical improvement and clinically significant change when employing a clinical significance analysis and the reliable index of change. Statistical analyses of the dataset displayed statistically significant differences between the pre and post-assessments and the follow-up measures, as well as large effect sizes in all clinical measures. These results suggest that the treatment was an efficacious early intervention for PTSD during the months following the traumatic event, although some relevant study limitations are discussed in the text.

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Acute Stress Disorder as a Predictor of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review

Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health ◽

10.1016/j.ypsy.2011.07.041 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 309-310

Author(s):

J.C. Ballenger

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Acute Stress Disorder

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Neural therapy approach in a hospitalized patient with acute stress disorder. Case report

Case reports ◽

10.15446/cr.v6n1.79132 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 25-32

Author(s):

Alba Fernanda Ruiz-Mejía ◽

Eduardo Humberto Beltrán-Dussán ◽

Leonardo Alfonso Morales-Hernandez ◽

Laura Bibiana Pinilla-Bonilla

Keyword(s):

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Abdominal Mass ◽

Clinical History ◽

Rapid Onset ◽

Acute Stress Disorder ◽

Organ Function ◽

Neural Therapy ◽

Therapy Approach

Introduction: Acute stress disorder is a picture of rapid onset that follows a traumatic event. It is characterized by dissociative, intrusive, avoidance and activation symptoms that affect the quality of life of the patient. To date, there is no evidence of a relationship between altered organ function and this disorder, and there is no literature on its treatment with neural therapy on an inpatient basis.Case presentation: 53-year-old woman, who developed symptoms compatible with acute stress disorder after the resection of an intra- abdominal mass diagnosed as lymphoma. The patient was assessed by the neural therapy department, which applied procaine into specific skin zones —determined by the clinical history and physical examination—, with improvement of dissociated symptoms.Discussion: The neural therapy approach allowed identifying the relationship between the dissociative symptoms of the patient and the associated alteration in organ function, as well as applying a therapy that led to the resolution of the symptoms.Conclusions: The neural therapy approach allows for a comprehensive perspective and treatment of the patient, taking into account the close functional relationship between mindemotions- body. This type of treatment also offers therapeutic strategies to hospitals, which can accompany the treatment established by other health specialists.

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The latent structure of Acute Stress Disorder symptoms in trauma‐exposed children and adolescents

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1111/jcpp.12597 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 57 (11) ◽

pp. 1308-1316 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Anna McKinnon ◽

Richard Meiser‐Stedman ◽

Peter Watson ◽

Clare Dixon ◽

Nancy Kassam‐Adams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Acute Stress Disorder ◽

Latent Structure

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Prevalence of acute stress disorder among road traffic accident survivors: a meta-analysis

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-018-1769-9 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Wenjie Dai ◽

Aizhong Liu ◽

Atipatsa C. Kaminga ◽

Jing Deng ◽

Zhiwei Lai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Road Traffic Accident ◽

Traffic Accident ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Road Traffic ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Acute Stress Disorder

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Confronting Trauma's Early Aftermath and the Risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900013638 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 585-586

Author(s):

Ehud Klein

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Acute Stress Disorder ◽

Clinical Syndrome ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Psychological Resources

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-defined clinical syndrome that develops in individuals who have witnessed or been exposed to an event that involves a direct threat to life or physical and/or psychological integrity.While numerous studies indicate that PTSD will develop in 15% to 25% of trauma victims, time-limited responses develop in a larger portion of victims during the first 48–72 hours (acute stress reaction) and to a lesser extent over the first 4 weeks (acute stress disorder). Many of those who suffer from acute posttraumatic symptoms eventually recover and overcome the consequences of the traumatic event. However, ∼30% to 50% of those with acute stress disorder will eventually develop PTSD. It is obvious that some individuals are vulnerable to the adverse effects of trauma while others have neurobiological and psychological resources that make them resilient to the long-term impact of traumatic exposure. The identification of risk factors and early predictors for PTSD is thus of major importance for identifying those at risk and for initiating therapeutic interventions aimed to reduce long-term morbidity and suffering.

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Acute stress disorder and defense mechanisms: a study of physical trauma patients admitted to an emergency hospital

Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy ◽

10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0071 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 247-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Márcia Rosane Moreira Santana ◽

Cleonice Zatti ◽

Mariana Lunardi Spader ◽

Bibiana Godoi Malgarim ◽

Emílio Salle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Acute Stress Disorder ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Trauma ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

Passive Aggression

Abstract Introduction: Acute stress disorder (ASD) encompasses a set of symptoms that can arise in individuals after exposure to a traumatic event. This study assessed the defense mechanisms used by victims of physical trauma who developed ASD. Method: This was a controlled cross-sectional study of 146 patients who suffered physical trauma and required hospitalization. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate ASD symptoms based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, in addition to the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ). Results: Ten participants (6.85%) received a positive diagnosis of ASD, and 136, (93.15%) a negative diagnosis. The majority of the sample consisted of men with median age ranging from 33.50 to 35.50. The most prevalent defense mechanisms among the 10 patients with ASD were cancellation and devaluation, which belong to the neurotic and immature factors, respectively. Positive associations between the presence of symptoms from criterion B of the DSM-5 and defense mechanisms from the DSQ were found. These included the mechanisms of undoing, projection, passive aggression, acting out, autistic fantasy, displacement, and somatization. Conclusion: Patients with ASD employed different defense mechanisms such as undoing and devaluation when compared to patients not diagnosed with ASD. These results mark the importance of early detection of ASD symptoms at a preventative level, thereby creating new possibilities for avoiding exacerbations related to the trauma, which represents an important advance in terms of public health.

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