What term describes reactions to stress that occur after a stressful situation?

The term that best describes reactions to stress that occur after a stressful situation is delayed stress reactions. This type of reaction can manifest days, weeks, or even months following the initial stress-inducing event. Individuals may not exhibit symptoms right away, but over time they can develop anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the experiences they endured.

In contrast, acute stress reactions happen immediately following a traumatic event and can include symptoms like confusion, agitation, or anxiety that arise shortly after the incident. Chronic stress reactions refer to ongoing responses to prolonged stress that persist over a long period, rather than being associated with a specific event. Immediate stress reactions, like acute stress reactions, occur right away but do not account for the delayed nature of some responses to stress. Therefore, delayed stress reactions accurately represent the phenomenon of symptoms that surface well after the stressful situation has passed.