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CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS INFORMATION FOR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
Your loved one has been involved in an emotionally-charged event, often known as a critical incident. He/she may be experiencing normal stress responses to such an event (critical incident stress). Critical incident stress affects up to 87% of all emergency personnel exposed to a critical incident. No one in an emergency situation is immune to critical incident stress, regardless of past experiences or years of service. Your loved one may experience critical incident stress at any time during his/her career.
Important things to remember about critical incident stress:
- The signs of critical incident stress are physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral. Your loved one has received a handout outlining these signs. Please ask him/her to share it with you, or locate it at http://cism.natca.net under informational handouts.
- Critical incident stress response can occur right at the scene, within hours, within days, or even within weeks.
- Your loved one may experience a variety of signs/symptoms of a stress response, or he/she may not feel any of the signs at this time.
- Suffering from the effects of critical incident stress is completely normal. Your loved one is not the only one suffering; other controllers may have shared the event and are probably sharing the reaction.
- The symptoms will normally subside and disappear in time if you and your loved one do not dwell upon them. However, do not ignore serious signs that help is needed.
- All phases of our lives overlap and influence each other: personal, professional, family, etc. The impact of critical incident stress can be intensified, influenced or mitigated by our own personal, family and current developmental issues.
- You may not understand what your loved one is going through at this time, but offer your love and support. Don't be afraid to ask what you can do that he/she would consider helpful. Then make sure to follow up on this feedback.
- Accept the fact that life will go on: his/hers, yours and your children, etc. Maintain or return to a normal routine as soon as possible.
- If the signs of stress your loved one is experiencing do not begin to subside within a few weeks, or if they intensify, consider seeking further assistance. The Critical Incident Stress Management Team can help you and your loved one find a professional who understands critical incident stress and how it can affect you.
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