Critical Stress Debriefing
You have experienced a traumatic event. Even though the event may be over, you may now be experiencing
or may experience later some strong emotional or physical reactions. It is very common, in fact quite normal for people to
experience emotional aftershocks when they have passed through a horrible event.
Sometimes the emotional aftershocks(or stress reactions) appear immediately after the traumatic event. Sometimes
they may appear a few hours or a few days later. And, in some cases, weeks or months may pass before the stress reactions
appear.
The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks or a few months and occasionally longer
depending on the severity of the traumatic event. With the understanding and the support of loved ones, stress reactions usually
pas more quickly. Occasionally, the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance from a counselor may be necessary.
This does not imply craziness or weakness. It simply indicates that the particular trauma was just too powerful to manage
without help
A CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING promotes a more rapid recovery from incidents and aids normal
integration back into work and home routines.
CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING (CISD) is a confidential service using trained facilitators
to help employees manage stress reactions to work related incidents occurring on or off-premises. The debriefing involves
a confidential, non-evaluative discussion of the involvement, thoughts, reactions and feelings resulting from an incident.
It serves to reduce the stress impact resulting from exposure to a critical incident through a venting of feelings along with
educational and informational components. It is not a form of therapy or treatment. Typically a debriefing takes place within
48 - 72 hours of the incident and lasts two to three hours. Additional follow-up to the debriefing can be arranged, if needed.
A CISD debriefing is not an operational critique nor a formal inquiry.
Some normal stress responses to Critical Incidents that may indicate a need for outside help include:
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Intestinal upsets
- Anxiety
- Flashbacks, nightmares
- Difficulties concentrating
- Changes in eating habits
- Mood swings
- Depression
- "Startle" reactions
- Feelings of anger or guilt
Individuals benefit from a CISD because it:
- Reduces stress and feelings of isolation and abnormality resulting from a Critical Incident.
- Prevents the onset of delayed psychological reactions and promotes well-being.
- Provides peer support and education about stress reactions.
- Improves coping skills for future incidents.
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