Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

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TRAUMATIC STRESS

A traumatic event is any experience outside the realm of human experience that is markedly distressing (i.e. evokes reactions of intense fear, helplessness, horror, etc.) Such traumatic stresses usually involve a perceived or real threat to self or others in close proximity. Persons exposed to a traumatic event or events may experience symptoms of traumatic which may be manifested physically, emotionally, mentally, and/or behaviorally. The symptoms themselves are normal responses to a horrible experience. However, left unattended, the symptoms may persist, become worse and possibly cause impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Post-Traumatic Stress is a term used to diagnose those experiencing either a delayed or ongoing response to a trauma. It is characterized by symptoms of:

• excessive excitability and arousal
• numbing withdrawal and avoidance
• repetitive, intrusive memories or recollections of the trauma and/or events related to the trauma
• durations of at least 1 month

What are some potentially traumatizing events?

Individual

1. Automobile accident
2. Sexual assault/abuse
3. Any life threatening experience
4. Robbery
5. Serious physical injury/abuse
6. Perception of serious threat to self or significant other
7. Psychological abuse
8. Severe injury/death of one's own child
9. Suicide of family member or co-worker
10. Homicide
11. Line of duty injury or death among law enforcement or other first responder
12. Multiple homicides within a community
13. Injury or death to a child
14. Observing any of the individual or community trauma listed above

Community

1. Earthquake
2. Hurricane
3. Fires
4. Flood
5. Large scale environmental pollution
6. Multiple injury/fatality accidents
7. Terrorism
8. Child related traumatic events
9. Homicides in the community
10. High publicity crimes, violence or sex
11. Community wide disasters

What should I do if I or someone close to me experiences a traumatic event?
Ideally, one should contact a mental health professional and request Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). CISM is a comprehensive, organized approach for the control of the harmful aspects of stress.