What term is used to describe a reaction to acute stress, which can include both positive and negative effects?

The term that describes a reaction to acute stress, which can encompass both positive and negative effects, is acute stress reaction. This term specifically refers to the immediate response someone may have to a stressful event or situation, which can manifest in various ways, including emotional, physical, and psychological symptoms. Acute stress reactions can occur shortly after the stressful event and may involve feelings of excitement, fear, anxiety, or even exhilaration, depending on the nature of the stressor.

While the other terms represent different types of stress reactions, they do not capture the immediate nature of the acute response. Delayed stress reactions, for instance, occur after a significant time lapse following the stressor and are characterized by symptoms emerging well after the trigger event. Cumulative stress reaction refers to the buildup of stress over time from multiple incidents, leading to exhaustion or burnout, rather than a single event. Chronic stress reactions are sustained responses resulting from continuous exposure to stressors, which do not reflect the immediate nature of acute reactions. Therefore, acute stress reaction is the most accurate identification of a reaction to immediate stressors with potential positive or negative consequences.