What Is Acute Trauma? Causes, Signs, & Treatment

What Is Acute Trauma?

Acute trauma speaks to the type of traumatic event that a person endures. Compared to other forms of trauma, an acute trauma must have a clear beginning and end, which usually last only seconds or minutes.¹ Under some circumstances, acute traumas could last for a few days.

For example, being in a car accident would count as an acute trauma because the event was sudden, unexpected, and lasted only seconds. Similarly, being assaulted in a parking lot and robbed would be an example of acute trauma because it was a sudden, life-threatening event that endangered the person’s health and safety.

Alternatively, long-term, ongoing domestic violence would not be an example of an acute trauma. Even though the circumstances are clearly traumatic, the length of time moves it beyond the limits of an acute trauma. The same is true for someone experiencing long-term medical conditions, like cancer.²

Acute Trauma Vs. Chronic Trauma

An acute trauma is one that is short-term and generally concise in duration of time. When a traumatic experience lasts for a longer period of time or recurs frequently, it is considered a chronic trauma.² With traumas, it is valuable to note that all traumas are problematic. An acute trauma can be more impactful than a chronic trauma depending on the person, their supports, and their stressors.

It’s also important to note that acute traumas may lead to chronic traumas. For example, someone injured in a fall at work who becomes paralyzed will have acute trauma from the fall, but they could note periods of chronic trauma linked to rehabilitation, surgeries, changing abilities, and shifting goals for the future.

How Long Does Acute Trauma Last?

Acute traumas last for a short amount of time. Chronic traumas last for longer periods of time, and though that explanation may seem unclear, it is due to the endless variety of traumas a person can endure. Each trauma is unique, so there is no set timeline that separates an acute trauma from a chronic trauma.

Generally, acute trauma lasts for seconds, minutes, or hours, while chronic trauma lasts for weeks, months, or years. In clinical settings, there will not be much emphasis on separating acute trauma from chronic trauma. The focus will be on the impact of the experience and finding ways to overcome its influence.

Causes of Acute Trauma

The causes of acute trauma are endless. If a person experiences a threatening, scary, or dangerous situation that lasts for a short time and is unlikely to repeat, it may be an acute trauma.

Some examples of acute trauma include:²

• Sudden natural disasters, like earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and fires
• Motor vehicle accidents, either as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian
• Physical violence, like getting attacked, mugged, or carjacked
• Sexual violence and abuse, including a rape or other sexual assault
• Loss of physical ability to function
• Verbal or emotional abuse
• Sudden death of a loved one
• Acts of terrorism or war
• Sudden illness or rapidly occurring medical conditions

As mentioned, there is no limit to situations that may trigger an acute trauma.

Signs & Symptoms of Acute Trauma

The signs and symptoms of acute trauma will vary greatly with an important distinction – many people that experience an acute trauma will show no long-term signs, symptoms, or effects of the condition. Just because someone experiences a trauma does not mean that they will note signs, symptoms, and effects of the trauma. A person’s experience of the trauma will guide their reaction.

Consider a situation with a severe bus accident with 100 people involved. Rates of problematic trauma reactions for motor vehicle accidents show that approximately 13 people on that bus could experience acute stress disorder or PTSD. Others will have symptoms that do not qualify for a mental health condition, and others will have no symptoms at all.⁴

A person who begins to experience some effects of acute trauma will report expected symptoms of acute stress disorder and PTSD.

Common signs and symptoms of acute trauma include:^{3, 4}

• Poor sleep
• Flashbacks
• Irritability
• Irrational fears and avoidance of people, places, and things that remind them of the trauma
• Low mood
• High anxiety and discomfort in public
• Isolation and withdrawal from loved ones
• Periods of distraction
• Obsessively researching information related to their type of trauma

Following an acute trauma, some people may experience all of these symptoms and more while others will experience only a few or none at all. A cause for concern comes when symptoms are numerous, intense, and frequent.

How Acute Trauma Impacts Daily Life

At times, acute trauma can have a barely noticeable impact on daily life. A person may function as they typically did prior to the event, maintain responsibilities, and relationships. On the other hand, some people’s functioning will be greatly reduced by trauma. They may be unable to work, go to school, or carry on previously established relationships. They could develop one or more mental health conditions, and acute trauma can lead to chronic symptoms causing life-long impacts.

The influence of the trauma depends heavily on the person’s established coping skills, the response of loved ones, and available supports and stressors.⁶

Treatment for Acute Trauma

In the best situations, acute trauma will require no treatment. The person will respond positively with resilience and support from their loved ones. Their body and their brain will process the experience in time and return to normalcy. If symptoms continue or escalate over time, treatment for acute trauma may be necessary.

The best treatment for acute trauma starts with a full assessment from a mental health professional. This expert can evaluate the symptoms, determine the presence of a diagnosis, and recommend therapy for trauma as needed.

Common therapies used to treat chronic trauma include:⁷

• Crisis counseling: Used in the aftermath of traumatic events to help reestablish a feeling of safety and security.
• Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): Appropriate care for kids and teens, trauma-focused CBT utilizes skills building and discussion of the traumatic event to reduce symptoms.
• Trauma-informed therapy: trauma-informed therapy is a general term used to describe any therapy that accounts for the negative influence of trauma. All therapies can become helpful with a trauma-informed approach.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Performed by specially-trained therapists, EMDR for trauma uses bilateral physical stimulation and intentional thinking patterns to reduce the effects of trauma.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Standard CBT techniques remain very helpful for trauma care. Therapists can improve symptoms by addressing coping skills, sleep, communication, and self-talk.
• Prolonged exposure therapy: PE therapy focuses on education, breathing techniques,  exposure practice in real situations, and talking through the trauma. This treatment can be completed in two to four months.

How to Cope With Acute Trauma

Professional treatment is essential for addressing the lasting signs and symptoms of acute trauma, but a person cannot rely on psychological care alone to create lasting recovery. Adding coping skills and nonprofessional lifestyle changes will prove invaluable, so anyone interested in improving their emotional well-being should explore various methods to release trauma from the body.

Some ways to help manage the long-term effects of chronic trauma include:⁸

• Self-care practices: Using self-care is great anytime. After an acute trauma, someone can practice self-care by eating well, leaving enough time for sleep, and exercising within their abilities.
• Journaling: Consider journaling about trauma to establish a safe option to express thoughts and feelings linked to trauma and the lingering aftereffects.
• Connect with others: Friends, family, and others who have experienced similar traumas can help people feel connected and ease the burden of distress.
• Avoid the negatives: At times of high stress, drinking alcohol, using drugs, spending large amounts of money, and other negative coping skills may seem appealing, but they will ultimately lead to more problems.
• Set up new routines: Returning to the old way of doing things may seem impossible, so practice some flexibility to new patterns, routines, and schedules.
• Spend time in nature: Get outside, stay outside, and experience moments in nature. Mother nature offers benefits to mental health. A little fresh air and sunshine can go a long way to improve one’s mind and body.

Where to Find Professional Help for Acute Trauma

Knowing how someone can find a therapist for acute trauma is an essential part of recovery that may seem overwhelming at times. Finding an online therapist directory can be a helpful resource because it can list a variety of professionals who are available locally and online.

If you are hitting a roadblock finding professional care for acute trauma, consider:

• Asking a trusted friend for recommendations
• Seeking a referral from your primary care physician
• Doing some research online to find providers
• Walking into your local community health agency and speaking to a therapist
• Calling the number on your insurance card to access treatment