قم بتحميل هذا المقال بالعربية (PDF)*This article in ArabicA traumatic experience that happens at the work place is called a critical incident. It will often affect firefighters, policemen, ambulance personnel, and nurses and doctors working in hospitals.
After a critical incident it is normal that professionals suffer from sleeping problems; fluctuating moods, ranging from anxiety to anger; feelings of guilt; and fear that the event will be repeated; preoccupation with the event; feelings of isolation; and startle reactions (“jumpiness”).
They might feel the urge to talk again and again about the traumatic experience, which is a healthy reaction. It lessens the impact of the experience on the brain and body, especially if people talk about their sensory experiences, what they saw, heard, smelled, and their own actions and feelings in the situation.
Critical Incident Stress Defusing, which takes place immediately after the situation, and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), which takes place 24 – 72 hours after the event, are methods that help teams and groups who were dealing with the same traumatic situation, to get an physical, emotional and cognitive grasp on it. It is very much advised that every professional participates in them.
What should professionals do, besides participating in CISD meetings, after going through a critical incident experience?
- They should expect themselves to be bothered by the incident.
- They should remind themselves that their reactions are normal in light of the traumatic, critical incident.
- They should apply stress reduction techniques, like breathing techniques, progressive relaxation, mediation and/or prayer, reading and/or listening to music, and, of course, physical activity.
- They should consciously make an effort to spend time with family, friends, and co-workers, to experience that life goes on as usual.
- They should maintain a balanced diet with minimum caffeine and sugar.
- They should exercise daily, but moderately.
- They should take time for leisuretime activities.
- They should learn es much as possible about critical incident stress.
- They should talk to people they trust.
- They should minimize the use of alcohol and drugs.
- They should treat themselves especially well.
Here are suggestions for their families and friends:
- Spend time with the affected person
- Offer your assistance and a listening ear
- Listen carefully
- Reassure that the person is safe and normal
- Help the person with routine tasks
- Allow for private time, tolerate if the person occasionally withdraws, both mentally and physically
- Do not take the person’s anger or other feelings personally
- Tell the person you are sorry that such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist the person.
- Call for support if you feel you need it.
The next article will describe how to conduct a critical incident stress debriefing for groups/teams.