Intrusive experiences and hyperarousal in acute stress disorder

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between hyperarousal, intrusions, and dissociative experiences in acute stress disorder (ASD). METHOD: Trauma survivors with ASD (n=30) and without ASD (n=30) completed either a hyperventilation provocation test (HVPT) or a non-hyperventilating control procedure whilst monitoring intrusive experiences. Participants then completed the Physical Reactions Scale and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire. RESULTS: Whereas the hyperventilation procedure resulted in an increase in the number of intrusions for ASD participants, the hyperventilation procedure resulted in a decrease in the number of intrusions for non-ASD participants. Contrary to expectations, there was no differences in dissociative reactions across group or condition. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence that intrusive phenomenon are directly associated with elevated states of arousal for individuals with ASD.