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

Case reports ◽  
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

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.

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raúl Durón-Figueroa ◽  
Georgina Cárdenas-López ◽  
Soledad Quero

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.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 585-586
Author(s):  
Ehud Klein

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcia Rosane Moreira Santana ◽  
Cleonice Zatti ◽  
Mariana Lunardi Spader ◽  
Bibiana Godoi Malgarim ◽  
Emílio Salle ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
MacKenzie A. Sayer ◽  
Sarah Ostrowski-Delahanty ◽  
Maria L. Pacella-LaBarbara ◽  
Douglas L. Delahanty

The diagnosis of acute stress disorder (ASD) was originally introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) to identify survivors soon after a trauma who were likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, despite demonstrating acceptable predictive power, subsequent research often failed to display high rates of sensitivity or specificity for ASD predicting PTSD. This led researchers to question the utility of the diagnosis and ultimately led to a revision of the diagnosis in the fifth edition of DSM. The updated ASD diagnosis was intended to primarily promote access to healthcare services following a traumatic event, and symptoms were not selected with the aim of predicting likelihood of one developing PTSD. Ultimately, the DSM-5 ASD criteria align more closely with PTSD symptoms without an emphasis on dissociative symptoms (as was true of the DSM-IV). This chapter summarizes the development of the ASD criteria/diagnosis and evaluates the utility of the reconceptualized diagnosis for both clinicians and researchers.


2020 ◽  
pp. 6506-6509
Author(s):  
Jonathan I. Bisson

Acute stress disorder, adjustment disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder are all psychiatric consequences of traumatic experiences. Because trauma is so common in medical practice, in the form of accidents, severe illness, and sometimes medical and surgical treatments, these disorders are commonly seen by physicians. An initial severe reaction to a traumatic event such as severe accident is an acute stress disorder and is commonly characterized by dissociation. A more long-lasting emotional reaction to ongoing stress such as a new diagnosis of life-threatening illness is termed an adjustment disorder. An often longer-lasting and more severe psychological reaction associated with repeated mental re-experiencing of the traumatic event is called post-traumatic stress disorder. These trauma-related disorders are not only an important cause of suffering but may also complicate medical care, hence they require recognition and appropriate treatment.


Author(s):  
Quinn M. Biggs ◽  
Jennifer M. Guimond ◽  
Carol S. Fullerton ◽  
Robert J. Ursano ◽  
Christine Gray ◽  
...  

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by exposure to a traumatic event followed by symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, hyper-arousal, peritraumatic dissociation, and impairment in functioning. ASD's time-limited duration (two days to one month) makes it distinct from but related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is diagnosed after one month. ASD's brief duration has contributed to a dearth of large-scale, population-based studies. Smaller studies have sought to determine rates of ASD after specific events in select populations; others have focused on ASD's role in predicting PTSD. Much can be learned from existing epidemiological studies. ASD's prevalence varies from 3% in a population of accident victims to 59% in female sexual assault victims. Female gender is a key risk factor; marital status, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status have also been associated with ASD in some studies. Comorbidities include depressive and anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.


Author(s):  
Quinn M. Biggs ◽  
Mary C. Vance ◽  
Carol S. Fullerton ◽  
Robert J. Ursano

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a trauma- and stressor-related disorder characterized by exposure to a traumatic event closely followed by symptoms of intrusion, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, arousal, and impairment in functioning. ASD’s time-limited duration (3 days to 1 month) makes it distinct from, but related to, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is diagnosed after 1 month. Although there are no large-scale, population-based studies of ASD, smaller studies have examined rates of ASD in select populations following a variety of traumatic events. The prevalence of ASD varies widely depending on the type of traumatic event and the population. The highest rates are in victims of sexual assault and violent crime, with more moderate rates in victims of motor vehicle accidents, burns, illness, disaster, war, and terrorism. Female gender, younger age, and a history of prior trauma, PTSD, or other mental health disorders are risk factors for ASD.


2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802093384
Author(s):  
Steve Geoffrion ◽  
Jane Goncalves ◽  
Isabelle Robichaud ◽  
Josette Sader ◽  
Charles-Édouard Giguère ◽  
...  

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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Buydens ◽  
Marshall Wilensky ◽  
Barbara J. Hensley

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) protocol for recent traumatic events in the treatment of acute stress disorder. Within weeks of being exposed to an isolated traumatic event, 7 adults diagnosed with acute stress disorder were provided with multiple sessions of the EMDR protocol for recent traumatic events, an extended version of the EMDR therapy standard protocol. In each case, an individual’s subjective distress caused by the traumatic events was measured using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised and the goal of alleviating symptoms was accomplished. The positive results suggest the EMDR protocol for recent traumatic events may be an effective means of providing early treatment to victims of trauma, potentially preventing the development of the more severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document