Acute stress disorder, an anxiety disorder, is characterized by a decline in emotional responsiveness, according to Psych Central. People with this disorder may feel disconnected from their surroundings. They may have a hard time concentrating on what is happening around them and mistake fantasy for reality. The disorder usually lasts between two days and four weeks, according to Depression-Guide.com. The exact cause varies, but it is believed to be influenced by trauma.
Trauma
Trauma is the most immediate cause for the development of acute stress disorder, according to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders. Trauma generally involves an extreme stressor, such as the death, the possibility of harm or a life-threatening injury involving yourself, a family member or a close friend. This disorder occurs when an individual experiences a traumatic event that triggers uncontrollable stress and inhibits the person's ability to cope. The Addiction Technology Transfer Center states that people who experience terrorism tend to develop acute stress as a response to terrorist attacks.
Previous Exposure
Previous exposure to trauma can cause acute stress disorder. People who were previously exposed to a trauma are more likely to develop acute stress disorder than people who do not have a history of trauma, according to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders. Individuals with a history of abuse or childhood trauma may experience acute stress disorder as a reaction to a new traumatic event. Long-lasting chemical changes occur within the central nervous system every time a person experiences a traumatic event, so when a person has a history of traumatic events, he becomes more vulnerable each time he experiences new trauma.
Brain Abnormalities
Brain abnormalities can contribute to the development of acute stress disorder, according to Science Daily. People with acute stress disorder appear to inherit certain brain abnormalities that cause them to have an extreme reaction to distress. A deficiency in brain hormones and an abnormal brain structure can impair the brain’s ability to regulate the body’s response to stress and increase the likelihood that a person will develop the disorder after a traumatic event.
Brain Injury
Individuals with a brain injury are more likely to develop acute stress disorder than those who have not experienced an injury of this nature, according to Psychiatry Weekly. A traumatic brain injury may damage the part of the brain that is responsible for regulating stress and anxiety. These individuals may experience increased anxiety due to an inability to perform previous tasks. Physical and emotional limitations may trigger acute stress disorder in someone who is experiencing intense stress and an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness and helplessness as a result a traumatic brain injury.
