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WHAT
IS A CRITICAL INCIDENT?
by
Dr. Saxe-Clifford
A
critical incident is a specific event that is outside the range of normal
experience. Elements common in critical incidents include unusually threatening,
dangerous, emotionally loaded and or highly unpleasant contact. Sometimes
a critical incident lasts only seconds (a shooting) and sometimes an event
can drag on for hours or days (a rescue operation) Typically incidents
involving the death or injury of a child or of another public safety officer
are described as traumatic. Exposure to direct and immediate danger (such
as a physical attack) or less direct or long term danger (possible aids
contact) can also be unusually traumatic. Even a news report of an incident
can contribute to a stress reaction to an event.
CRITICAL
INCIDENT STRESS
Stress
in life is normal. In fact, most people who choose public safety professions
perform well and even thrive on a fast pace and periods of more than average
stress. However, there are incidents that are "above and beyond’
what is usually encountered in the work place. Psychologists refer to
these events as critical incidents. An individual's reaction to any critical
incident can range from almost no reaction at all to a major emotional
upset with multiple and long lasting symptoms
After
years working with public safety personnel involved in a wide range of
critical incidents I can not predict a particular persons reaction to
a particular event. A very strong stable person involved in what most
people would consider to be a minor event may have a dramatic reaction
while someone who is emotionally fragile may have no reaction at all to
an incident most people would consider to be an unbelievably traumatic.
The point is, do not assume a reaction will or will not occur because
of what you or anyone else thinks is the "appropriate" reaction
to a particular critical incident.
Signs
& Symptoms of Acute Distress:
Behavioral:
- change
in activity level, hyperactive or sluggish
- less
or more communicative, increased smoking
- change
in interactions with others, withdrawal or need to be with others,
excessive humor
- increased
or decreased food intake
- overly
vigilant to environment, unusual behavior
- increased
alcohol intake
- avoidance
behavior
- acting
out or antisocial acts
- angry
outbursts
- suspiciousness
- intensified
fatigue
- more
frequent visits to physician for nonspecific complaints
-
Emotional:
- anticipatory
anxiety, denial, fear, survivor guilt
- uncertainty
of feelings, depression grief
- feeling
abandoned, worried, angry, wanting to hide
- feeling
numb, identifying with the victim
- feeling
alienated, disenchanted
- panic,
generalized anxiety
- intensified
or reduced emotional reactions
Coping
During the Incident:
- be
active and take breaks
- find
some sort of meaning or importance in your job
- control
humor and emotions
- eat
and rest well
- rotate
workers
- use
peer, clergy and mental health support workers
When
To Seek Additional Assistance:
- intense
feelings of discomfort
- significant
symptoms which persist longer than six weeks
- suicidal
thoughts or planning
- other
self-destructive acting out (sexual, aggressive or substance)
- intense
family conflict
- feel
like losing control of impulses
- just
want to check in to see if you’re "normal"
Where
To Seek Additional Assistance:
- thru
the Department
- non-department
psychologist or mental health worker (MFCC or LCSW) – call
your health insurance plan for a referral or get a referral from
someone you trust
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Cognitive:
- confusion,
lowered attention span
- memory
problems, calculation difficulties
- poor
concentration, flashbacks, distressing dreams
- disruption
in logical thinking, blaming others
- death
preoccupation
- difficulties
with decision making
- heightened
or lowered alertness
- increased
or decreased awareness of surroundings
- preoccupation
with vulnerability
- repeated
review of the incident
Physical:
- nausea,
upset stomach, diarrhea, dry mouth
- profuse
sweating, chills, rapid heart rate
- muscle
aches, shakes, feeling uncoordinated
- vision
problems, fatigue, sleep disturbance
Coping
After the Incident:
- eat
well – AVOID CAFFEINE, ALCOHOL, SALT, SUGAR and FAT –
drink more fluids (water and fruit juices), eat complex carbohydrates,
low-fat or non-fat foods, whole grain bread
- get
rest
- physical
exertion exercise as soon as possible after demobilization, moderate
intensity to work out potentially damaging stress chemicals
- attend
and participate in debriefing when possible
- view
your reactions as normal reactions to an abnormal situation –
anyone who experienced what you did may feel the same way
- allow
yourself the freedom to talk about your reactions to what happened
- avoid
boredom
- seek
peer, clergy or professional assistance as necessary
- allow
yourself time to heal
- work
on accepting that anyone in your situation would have responded
similarly
- talk
with your family, check in with your peers
- use
crisis as opportunity for growth and positive change
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