Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) Treatment in Sacramento, California
It is quite common to experience helplessness, intense fear, and psychological distress right after living through a terrifying event that leaves a mark on your psyche. If you want to undergo acute stress disorder treatment in Northern California, you can do it at our clinic – we often work with adult men and women diagnosed with this condition and offer same-day admissions if the patient’s condition warrants it.
What Is Acute Stress Disorder?
Acute stress disorder (ASD) refers to a short yet intense mental health condition that occurs within a month of witnessing or surviving a traumatic event. It is often confused with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but ASD precedes PTSD if left untreated – the symptoms exacerbate and affect the person’s functioning even further.
Acute Stress Disorder Symptoms
Only a mental health specialist can confirm you indeed exhibit the symptoms of ASD – still, you should know how this disorder manifests to schedule a consultation with a therapist:
How to Diagnose Acute Stress Disorder?
Once you arrive at our clinic and the Admissions Process begins, we will need to make sure you have ASD and distinguish your symptoms from the manifestations of overlapping conditions:
- You will undergo a comprehensive medical screening to let our specialists rule out neurological conditions and nutritional deficiencies that may contribute to the symptoms you are experiencing at the moment.
- A licensed clinician will conduct an in-depth evaluation to learn more about your symptoms, medical history, and the impact of acute stress disorder on your day-to-day activities.
- We will continue to monitor you in a clinical setting to make sure we do not miss any underlying conditions that may result in health complications and provide you with the precisely targeted care you need.
What Can Cause Acute Stress Disorder?
ASD is caused by a traumatic event that involves serious injury or death, whether the person experienced the impact of it directly or just witnessed it. Some of the examples include robbery, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, military conflicts, and an unexpected loss of a loved one.
What Does Acute Stress Disorder Treatment Involve?
Acute stress disorder treatment in Sacramento must be tailored to the needs and preferences of every patient. Here are just a few therapeutic interventions you can count on at our clinic:
If you want to know more about the methods of treatment we utilize to heal patients with ASD, read more on our Therapy Options page.
ASD Co-Occurring Conditions
In certain instances, treatment for acute stress disorder needs to address additional mental health issues discovered during the diagnostic process:
It is common for an individual with ASD to cope with intense emotions and stress by pulling out their own hair.
Unfortunately, the patient often feels detached from self or their surroundings due to severe trauma.
Trauma-focused therapy that takes the symptoms of a mood disorder into consideration will significantly reduce the symptoms of both conditions.
You will be able to reintegrate socially and break the cycle of isolation with cognitive restructuring and supportive counseling.
Learn more about the process of recovery from co-occurring conditions and the list of disorders we target with integrated care on our What We Treat page.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
It can be difficult to seek help for acute stress disorder, considering you are still on edge after the traumatic event. This is why it is our goal to make you feel at ease once you arrive for your first appointment with a licensed clinician. You will talk for about an hour to discuss the current challenges you are facing, after which you will have an opportunity to ask questions about the timeline of recovery. We will offer you a customized plan of treatment so that you have an understanding of how your treatment will play out.
How Long Does Acute Stress Disorder Treatment Take?
It is possible to fully heal from acute stress disorder – this is a short-term condition which is why prompt treatment is the recommended course of action. The duration of treatment, however, varies on the severity of the disorder.
Patients can alleviate their symptoms in an Outpatient Program (OP) – attend counseling sessions in their spare time and heal within one or two months.
Psychotherapy and prescription drugs are required if the symptoms persist for more than a couple of months – undergo treatment for twelve weeks and see an improvement in your condition.
In case ASD has severely undermined your health, it may be necessary to sign up for Residential Treatment and attend check-ins for up to six months.
When to Seek Help for Acute Stress Disorder?
You can recover from ASD rather quickly if you seek professional guidance and support immediately after the traumatic event – do not wait for weeks or months once the symptoms get more severe and interfere with your daily life. If you experience thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation, you should at least speak to a therapist or undergo Virtual Mental Health Treatment to find out how the traumatic circumstances affected your emotional state and how to proceed from now on. At our facility, you can work with ASD specialists in Northern California and prevent further health complications.
Why Choose Northern California Mental Health for Acute Stress Disorder Treatment?
Round-the-clock care may be the right solution for patients who want to stay away from external triggers and focus on their recovery for a while.
Our team knows how to implement therapy modalities backed by a substantial body of empirical research and aimed at treating a wide range of psychological issues.
With the client’s permission, we invite their loved ones to join them in family therapy – they can understand your symptoms better and make you feel safe during this vulnerable time.
Mindfulness-based interventions like art therapy are going to help you develop a more flexible and open relationship with your inner experiences.
Acute Stress Disorder Treatment Near Me
The location of a mental health facility matters so if you reside in the greater Sacramento region, it is a good idea to sign up for acute stress disorder therapy in Sacramento – do not travel far to access the care you need. Look at the map below to get directions to Northern California Mental Health and take a Virtual Tour to get a feel for our serene, nurturing vibe.
How to Start Acute Stress Disorder Treatment in Sacramento?
Do not wait to get the help you need once the symptoms of ASD become obvious. At our clinic, you can begin acute stress disorder recovery in Sacramento and get back to your normal life in just a few months. We will handle everything – from insurance verification to your first appointment with a therapist – so that you stay focused on healing.
Get in touch with Northern California Mental Health now – you may call (916) 545-6541 or visit our Contact Us page to embark on a rewarding mental wellness journey.