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Identification & Resolution
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What is critical incident stress?Emotional or physical reactions following a
traumatic or stressful eventIt is common, and in fact normal, to experience
emotional aftershocks (stress reactions) after experiencing a traumatic event
Critical incident stress can occur immediately following a stressful event or it can be delayed by hours or even a few days. In some cases, CIS can be delayed weeks or months after a traumatic event
Symptoms may be short in duration or longer
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Potentially Traumatizing EventsIndividual CommunityAutomobile AccidentSexual AssaultAny life threatening
experience to self or otherRobberySerious physical injury to
self or significant otherPerception of threat to
self or significant otherWitnessing violence
EarthquakeHurricaneFireFloodLarge scale
environmental threatMultiple injury eventsTerrorismHigh publicity crimes of
violence
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Common Signs of Stress Reaction:Physical Signs
Chills Elevated BPThirst Rapid Heart RateFatigue Shock SymptomsNausea/Vomiting Teeth GrindingFainting Visual ProblemsTwitches/Tremors Profuse
SweatingDizziness Breathing DifficultiesChest Pain Headaches
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Common Signs of Stress Reaction:Cognitive Signs
Confusion Disorientation
Nightmares Lowered Awareness
Uncertainty Increased Startle Reflex
Hypervigilance Poor ConcentrationSuspiciousness Memory ProblemsIntrusive Thoughts Impaired Thinking
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Common Signs of Stress Reaction:Emotional Signs
Fear DepressionGuilt Intense AngerGrief ApprehensionPanic Emotional ShockDenial Emotional OutburstsAnxiety Feeling
OverwhelmedAgitation Blunted AffectIrritability
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Common Signs of Stress Reaction:Behavioral Signs
Withdrawal Changes in Appetite
Aggression Hyper-alertnessRestlessness Increased
Alcohol UseChanges in Socialization Changes in
SpeechErratic Movements Pacing
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With Critical Incident Stress
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Strategies for Coping:Within the first 24-48 hours alternating periods of
appropriate physical exercise with relaxation will alleviate some physical reactions
Structure your time – keep busyRemember that you are having normal reactions-
don’t label your reactions as abnormal– you are NOT crazy!
Talk to people- talking is the most healing medicine
Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs and alcohol- don’t complicate the problem
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Strategies continued… Reach out to others- let them know how you
are feeling – spend time with othersMaintain as normal a schedule as possibleCheck-in on your co-workers, sharing feelings
and checking out how they are doingGive yourself permission to feel rottenKeep a journal, write your way through
sleepless hoursTreat yourself – do something that feels good
to you
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Strategies Continued…Avoid making important, life changing decisionsDo make as many small daily decisions as
possible which will help you feel control over your life i.e. if someone asks you what you want to eat- provide an answer do not respond “I don’t care”
Get plenty of restEat well balanced and regular meals (even if
you don’t feel like it)Remember that re-occurring thoughts, dreams,
& flashbacks are normal- don’t fight them they’ll decrease over time
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In Sum:Traumatizing/ stressful events can lead to immediate
or delayed emotional and physical symptoms Emotion& physical reactions to stress are normal and
usually temporaryYou can mediate or resolve the effects of
traumatizing events by attending to the coping strategies included in this presentation
If your symptoms severely impair your daily functioning and do not resolve over appropriate period of time consult with professional to help you resolve critical incident stress (psychologist, social worker, pcp)