Stress (EMT 196)
What does CISD stand for?
critical incident stress debreifing
What is eustress?
positive response to a certain stimulus (known as the good type of stress)
What happens during phase 3 of GAS?
-coping mechanisms exhausted -resistance declines -increased susceptibility to: -physical ailments -psychological ailments -rest and recovery
What are the three types of stressors?
1. environmental (the physical world) 2. psychological (contact with people) 3. personality (how we feel and our past experiences)
What happens during phase 1 of GAS?
-"fight or flight" phenomenon -mediated by the ANS -physiological response to stress: -increased heart rate -increased blood pressure -dialated pupils -relaxation/dilation of the bronchial tree -increased blood sugar -slowed digestion -reaction takes only seconds -reaction stopped when; -body recognizes event isn't dangerous
What are the harmful/negative coping mechanisms?
-alcohol abuse -drug abuse -withdrawn -angry outbreaks -leads to burn-out
What happens during phase 2 of GAS?
-body adjusts to level of the stressor -alarm reaction decreases -adrenalin junkie
What are the reactions to stress?
-individual -previous exposure to specific stress -perception of a stressful event -experience -personal coping skills -adaption -learning process of successful stress management -begins with defense mechanisms -coping skills developed -problem solving -control over stress -defense mechanisms -adaptive function of personality -assists in stress management -avoid distortions or denial of events -coping mechanisms -active confrontation process
What are the beneficial coping mechanisms?
-know your JOB as an EMT -school -scope of practice -protocols -know your agency -know your community -remove "technical doubt" -regular excersise -sense of humor -"talking through" stressful situations
What are CISM situations?
-line of duty death -disaster -emergency worker suicide -infant/child death -victims known to operations personnel
What are some factors that can trigger the stress response?
-loss of something of value -person -material things -injury/threat of injury -poor health/nutrition -frustration -ineffective coping skills
What are the physiological and psychological effects of stress?
-normal anxiety -abnormal anxiety (anxiety not effectively reduced)
What is CISD?
-organized, formal support process -team of professionals -usually held within 24-72 hours of incident -can be called by anyone -can involve different agencies -only attended by participants -no operational issues to be discussed -what is said in confidential -follow up services available -CISM situations
What are some warning signs and symptoms of stress?
-physical -chest tightness -palpitations/rhythm disturbances -difficulty breathing -profuse sweating -sleep problems -aching muscles and joints -headache (most common for EMTs) -gastrointestinal (common for EMTs) -emotional -panic -fear -anger -denial -feeling overwhelmed -cognitive (knowing) -difficulty making decisions -disorientation -poor concentration -distressing dreams -behavioral -crying spells -hyperactivity -withdrawal -change in eating habits -increased alcohol consumption
What are some stress management techniques?
-reframing (cognitive reappraisal) -viewing stressful situations from a different emotional viewpoint -controlled breathing -progressive relaxation -guided imagery
What are the common defense mechanisms?
-repression -involuntary -"it didn't happen" -regression -return to earlier level of adjustment -"temper tantrums" -projection -attributing personal undesirable characteristics to someone else -compensation -attempt to cover up real or imagined weakness -denial -rejection (denial) of intolerable reality -positive -allow you to work through a bad call -negative -unable to accept the baby's death
What are the three stages to GAS?
1. Alarm Reaction 2. Resistance 3. Exhaustion
What is GAS?
general adaptation syndrome (attempt of body and mind to adapt to stress)
What is distress?
negative response to a certain stimulus (known as the bad type of stress)
What is the definition of stress?
response to a certain stimulus
