Stage 1 Acute Trauma is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Nightmares, dissociation, amnesia, sleep and appetite disturbances, and difficulty concentrating.
• B. Complete emotional calm and no distress.
• C. Memory that is perfectly intact with no fear.
• D. Relief and relaxation with no sleep disturbance.

Answer: (A)

Stage 1 acute trauma shows the body's immediate stress response with features that intrude into daily function. You’d expect intrusion symptoms like nightmares and distressing memories, along with dissociation and amnesia about parts of the event. Sleep and appetite disturbances and difficulty concentrating are common as the nervous system remains on high alert after the trauma. These signs reflect how the brain and body react right after a traumatic experience, before longer-term processing occurs.

The other options don’t fit because they describe calm or normal functioning (complete emotional calm, memory perfectly intact with no fear, relief and relaxation) that would not accompany an acute traumatic reaction.