An acute reaction to stress is a mental disorder that develops due to a significant load. A feature of this pathological condition is the fact that it develops in people who do not have mental illness. The acute reaction to stress in the ICD-10 classifier is code F43.0.
Reasons for the appearance
This problem occurs after a significant traumatic experience. Often, an acute reaction to stress appears in those who have become a participant or witness to traumatic situations:
rape;
natural disasters;
the killings.
During severe stress, fixation on defense mechanisms occurs: extreme identification and crowding out. As a result, a person falls into a new state of consciousness, which is accompanied by impaired behavior and perception of reality.
Predisposing factors
The emergence of an acute reaction to stress is facilitated by some features of the psyche. Predisposing factors of this pathology include vulnerability and individual characteristics. As a result of scientific research, it was found that not all people experiencing negative emotions and falling into adverse conditions develop a pathology of the psyche.
Among the factors that increase acute reactions to stress in emergencies: adolescence, physical exhaustion.
Main symptoms
After an emergency, psychological disorders are rapidly increasing. An acute reaction to stress may persist for 2-3 days. Symptoms are a feeling of "stunned", disorientation in reality.
A person is not able to adequately respond to stimuli, does not perceive the words addressed to him. People who have experienced severe stress are trying to "move away" from the surrounding reality. Such behavior leads to increased activity, the desire to escape from the scene of a disaster (murder). An acute reaction to stress is accompanied by partial or complete amnesia of the episode, which resulted in psychological trauma.
The consequences of stress reactions
In many cases, the victims develop autonomic disorders:
redness;
tachycardia;
fainting
fever or chills;
redness;
numbness of the limbs;
rapid breathing.
Some people have cramps due to emergencies, and their face and body become covered with a skin rash. The condition is characterized by a decrease in mental and physical performance, emotional instability, sleep disturbances, rapid fatigue.
Diagnostic Features
The doctor puts the diagnosis of "acute reaction to stress" only after completing a comprehensive examination of the patient. In many people, emergencies cause headaches that do not disappear for several weeks. To clarify the diagnosis, you need to visit a psychiatrist. The doctor will not only select drugs to normalize the condition, but also choose drugs that reduce the risk of complications.
Diagnostic criteria for an acute reaction to stress are determined using neurological testing and external examination. Based on the results, the psychiatrist selects the best methods of therapy for the patient.
Features of drug therapy
Stabilization of the state of people who have an acute reaction to stress can be achieved by selecting drugs that reduce the excitability of nerve fibers. Strong medications are used only if the symptoms persist for a long time.
The treatment regimen, depending on the severity of the problem, involves the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers. If, against the background of a reaction to stress, a person’s behavior becomes inadequate, dangerous for other people, "Phenazepam" is prescribed to patients. Take this strong drug only as directed by your doctor. The doctor selects the desired dosage and duration of treatment.
Also, in acute reactions to stress, the psychiatrist prescribes Diazepam. This tranquilizer has a calming effect.
Therapy of acute reactions to stress in many cases involves long courses of antidepressant medication. There are different types of drugs used in case of such a pathological condition:
1. "Amitriptyline" - a drug with sedative effect. If the body tolerates this drug without problems, its dose is gradually increased.
2. "Melipramine" - an antidepressant that reduces increased anxiety. The drug has many contraindications, therefore, its administration should be strictly in the dosages indicated by the attending physician.
Traditional medication is supplemented by psychotherapy. This recovery option is considered the most effective. It contributes to a change in the patient’s attitude to the tragic event that occurred in his life. Thanks to psychotherapy, the patient's ability to control and regulate his negative thoughts increases. The algorithm for the relief of acute reactions to stress is determined by the attending physician. Long work with a professional psychotherapist enables the patient to develop new tactics of behavior in case of stressful situations.
Rehabilitation
To stabilize the mental state, it is desirable that the patient can change the situation. An excellent solution would be a spa treatment. Self-help in acute reactions to stress in the form of relaxation should be supported by physiotherapy. Only an integrated approach helps to stabilize the state.
In our country, there are several rehabilitation centers in which people who have experienced extreme stress can restore their physical and mental health. With the coordinated work of a psychotherapist, psychologist and cardiologist, the patient receives optimal therapy, returns to normal life.
Folk remedies
With a short period of crisis or the inability to consult a psychotherapist, you can use some herbs. Normalization of sleep is promoted by baths with herbal decoctions. An excellent result is lavender. For the procedure, 50 g of plant flowers will be required. They are poured with a liter of boiling water, insist 10 minutes. The finished product is filtered, poured into a hot bath. Thanks to the pleasant aroma of lavender, the body relaxes, sleep normalizes.
The bath with essential oils has a similar effect. The procedures are best done before bedtime, taking as a basis the essential oils of peppermint, chamomile, jasmine. 5-10 drops of selected natural oil are added to the prepared warm bath.
With your own hands you can make a "sleeping pillow." The rag bag is filled with hop cones or a collection of herbs: hypericum, valerian, chamomile, mint, lavender, shamrock.
You can eliminate the acute manifestations of a reaction to stress with the help of a special soothing tea. It is prepared from the collection of medicinal herbs: thyme, sweet clover, valerian, oregano, motherwort. Equal amounts of these natural components are mixed, poured with a glass of boiling water, left to infuse for 15-20 minutes. Take the ready-made broth 3 times a day for 1/3 cup.
The stabilization of the mental state contributes to the infusion of birch leaves. You can prepare the product from 100 grams of young leaves, pouring them with 2 glasses of boiling water. The pot with broth is carefully wrapped in a coverlet, the mixture is insisted for 5-6 hours. After filtering, it is ready for use. It is recommended to take a decoction of birch leaves 30 minutes before a meal (½ cup) 3 times a day.
All folk remedies are complementary therapies for mental disorders. It is advisable to consult with your doctor before starting self-medication.
Important points
What are the characteristics of acute stress reactions? Definition, symptoms, types of this problem are well known in psychiatry. In patients who have experienced stress, the following reactions occur:
hallucinations;
nervous tremor;
aggression;
fear;
lethargy.
In an emergency, the balance in the body is disturbed, and the mental and physical condition worsens. Delirium is manifested in false beliefs or inferences; it is impossible to convince the fallacy of the conclusions of a sick person.
Due to hallucinations, the patient perceives objects that are not actually affected by him (hears voices, smells).
For no reason, a person starts crying, lips twitch, depression arises. Speech becomes unnatural, fast, saturated. Nervous tremors in stressful situations can persist for up to several hours.
How to work with the victim
The implementation of psychotherapy is carried out in two ways:
for a healthy population, acute panic reactions are being prevented;
for people with obvious neuropsychiatric disorders, a course with the use of medications is carried out.
PPP (first psychological aid) is an element of medical care for people injured in road accidents who witnessed brutal killings. The complex of measures of psychological impact on the patient and the coordinated work of various specialists is a guarantee of reducing the victim’s feelings of anxiety, mental and physical suffering.
RFP involves a set of specific actions:
Transportation or escort of injured persons to a specialized hospital.
Observation of the patient during the transportation period.
The use of a standard set of psychopharmacological agents that can help calm an injured person.
Of the tranquilizers that are administered intramuscularly, bezodiazepine is recommended - rRelanium with a dosage of 2.0-4.0 ml.
Intravenous administration of the drug is undesirable, since anaphylactic shock is possible. It is not recommended at the first stage to take the drug "Phenozepam", since its administration is accompanied by a drop in blood pressure.