{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "kind": "condition",
  "id": "acute-stress-reaction",
  "name": "Acute Stress Reaction",
  "category": "chronic",
  "sources": "Acute Stress Disorder - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560815/ · ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) - condition scope only, no dose · No dose - no medicine is given for this in primary care",
  "review_status": "reviewed",
  "verified_against": "No dose - no medicine is given for this in primary care · Acute Stress Reaction - disease-level clinical article (acute-stress-reaction-clinical.txt)",
  "verified_date": "2026-08",
  "treatments": [
    {
      "id": 107,
      "generic": "No drug therapy in primary care (Assessment & Advice)",
      "line": 1,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": null,
      "strength_mg": null,
      "adult_dose": "A time-limited reaction to a major stressor or life change causing distress and impaired coping; managed with brief supportive counselling and practical advice, reserving medication for exceptional cases such as severe insomnia, since it usually resolves without drugs.",
      "adult_duration": "Assessment and advice",
      "dose_source": "No dose - no medicine is given for this in primary care",
      "rationale": "A time-limited reaction to a major stressor or life change causing distress and impaired coping; managed with brief supportive counselling and practical advice, reserving medication for exceptional cases such as severe insomnia, since it usually resolves without drugs.",
      "cautions": [
        "RED FLAG - Acute psychosis or severe dissociation following trauma: assess urgently and refer.",
        "No medicine is prescribed for this in primary care. The value of the consultation is recognition, explanation and follow-up, and referral if the red flags above appear.",
        "RED FLAG - Suicide risk assessment is required at initial evaluation and follow-up when severe stress symptoms, depression, self-harm history, or hopelessness are present.",
        "RED FLAG - Suicidal ideation or risk of self-harm: assess urgently and refer. Refer also when symptoms persist beyond a month, suggesting evolution to PTSD or an adjustment disorder."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": "Children follow the same pathway: assessment, explanation and follow-up. No primary-care medicine is implied.",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [],
      "condition_id": "acute-stress-reaction"
    }
  ]
}