Interventions for acute trauma response

The acute stress disorder diagnosis was included in DSM-IV to facilitate bo th the early prediction of those trauma victims who will later develop post -traumatic stress disorder, as well as the formation of interventions that can prevent chronic psychiatric impairment. Although several treatments for acute trauma response have been developed, thus far only cognitive behavio ural therapy has received empiric support for its efficacy in treating acut e stress disorder. In contrast, the most popular early intervention strateg y, psychologic debriefing, has been found to be at best harmless or actuall y damaging. Waiting 6 weeks after a trauma before providing therapy will as sist in determining those victims whose prognosis is poor without formal me ntal health intervention, Because trauma victims tend to be reluctant to us e mental health services, therapists may need to go into the community to p rovide treatment in the acute phase of trauma response. Curr Opin Psychiatr y 12:175-180. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.