An acute stress reaction is a common, and even expected, reaction to life-threatening traumatic events.  The Los Angeles wildfires have been a highly traumatic event for survivors, as well as their family, friends and witnesses. The whole city has been impacted. It is likely that we will cope with a variety of emotional and mental health problems in the aftermath.

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Stress can amplify preexisting mental heath and medical conditions that may add to the burden of coping with recovery from the wildfires. A broad range of emotional reactions are to be expected. The most notable mental health crisis we may all be facing is an acute stress reaction.

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***Please be aware that some of the following symptoms are also the symptoms of smoke toxicity and other health issues. Do not use this information as a replacement for proper medical treatment. If you are experiencing acute symptoms seek out licensed medical care to rule out other conditions. Stress can interfere with your natural guidance to tune into other health issues in your body-- do not make assumptions that your physical symptoms are merely stress.

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Symptoms of Acute Stress Reaction (ASR)

Acute stress reaction occurs immediately after a traumatic event and is the body's short-term response to extreme stress. Symptoms are grouped into emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral categories:

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Emotional Symptoms

• Intense fear, anxiety, or panic

• Shock, disbelief, or emotional numbness

• Feeling as if it's "surreal" or "unreal" (feeling like you're in a movie)

• Guilt, shame, or helplessness

• Anger or irritability

• Apathy or disgust

• Emotional reactivity

• Emotional outbursts or crying spells

• Emotions that do not match situation (laughter, disregard, no emotion)

Cognitive Symptoms

• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks

• Difficulty concentrating or confusion

• Disorientation or poor decision-making

• Memory lapses or forgetfulness

• Distractibility

Physical Symptoms

• Increased heart rate and rapid breathing

• Chest tightness

• Feeling of "heartbreak" heaviness in chest

• Gulp in throat

• Sweating, chills, or hot flashes

• Shaking, dizziness, or fainting

• Muscle tension, fatigue, or headaches

• Digestive disturbances like nausea or upset stomach

• Sleep disturbances (insomnia or nightmares)

• Changes in eyes (vision problems, appearance of wide eyes, flat gaze or "10 mile stare")

Behavioral Symptoms

• Freezing (incl. inability to act, inability to focus on daily tasks)

• Hypervigilance (scanning or checking for threats, paranoia)

• Exaggerated startle response

• Avoidance of reminders of the event or other stressful triggers

• Social withdrawal or clinging to others

• Agitation or pacing

• Frantic efforts to manage others or the situation

Duration of Symptoms

• Immediate symptoms: Develop within minutes to hours post-trauma

• Acute phase symptoms: Last for 24 hours to 1 month

• If symptoms persist beyond a month, it may develop into Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)