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Coping with Disasters
Tragedies, deaths,
serious injuries, hostage situations, war, natural disasters, etc - these
events are known as "Critical Incidents." Sometimes an event is
so traumatic or overwhelming that people experience significant stress
reactions. This process is specifically designed to prevent or mitigate
the development of post-traumatic stress.
It
is important to remember that when people are in a state of shock and
denial they feel overwhelmed and confused.
They are not ready to psychologically “process” their
experiences. What they need
is verifiable information and some simple, clear suggestions to guide them
through the turmoil. They
also need reassurance that everything that can be done on behalf of the
victims is being done.
Signs & Symptoms of Critical
Incident Stress
| Physical* |
Cognitive |
Emotional |
Behavioral |
|
|
|
|
| Chills |
Confusion |
Fear |
Withdrawal |
| Fatigue |
Uncertainty |
Grief |
Inability
to rest |
| Nausea |
Hypervigilance |
Panic |
Intensified
pacing |
| Fainting |
Suspiciousness |
Denial |
Erratic
movements |
| Twitches |
Intrusive
images |
Anxiety |
Change
in social activities |
| Vomiting |
Blaming
someone |
Agitation |
Change
in speech patterns |
| Dizziness |
Poor
problem solving |
Irritability |
Loss
or increase in appetite |
| Weakness |
Poor
abstract thinking |
Depression |
Hyper-alert
to environment |
| Chest
pain |
Poor
attention |
Intense
anger |
Change
in usual communications |
| Headaches |
Poor
concentration |
Apprehension |
Nonspecific
body complaints, aches and pains |
| Thirst |
Nightmares |
Guilt |
Antisocial
acts |
| Elevated
BP |
Difficulty
identifying objects or people |
Emotional
shock |
|
| Rapid
heart rate |
Heightened
or lowered alertness |
Emotional
outbursts |
|
| Muscle
tremors |
Difficulty
making decisions |
Feeling
overwhelmed |
|
| Grinding
of teeth |
Disorientation
of time, place or person |
Loss
of emotional control |
|
| Shock
symptoms |
Memory
problems |
Inappropriate
emotional response |
|
| Visual
difficulties |
Increased
or decreased awareness of surroundings |
|
|
| Difficulty
breathing |
|
|
|
| Profuse
sweating |
|
|
|
* Any of these symptoms may indicate the
need for medical evaluation. When in doubt, contact a physician.
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