Managing Critical Incident
What is a critical incident trauma situation?
It is where an incident is perceived as having the following elements:
- Situation is unexpected.
- Situation is different from predictable life patterns.
- Incident unstabilises a person’s control.
- Involves physical / emotional loss or life threat.
- Exerts undue strain on the mental coping abilities of persons involved.
Common Reaction
- Vary from person to person
- Remember it is the person who determines whether an event is traumatic.
- Severe anxiety, depression or stress.
- Physical symptoms include shock, palpitations, trembling, sweating palms
rapid breathing , nausea, fears.
- Psychological symptoms may include aggression, confusion, numbness,
excitement and panic.
After the incident
- Sleep disturbances and frequent waking.
- Nervousness and anxiety.
- Headache, nausea, etc
- Poor concentration.
- Flashbacks and recurrent thoughts.
- Mood swings, guilt.
- Negativity.
N.B. People suffer in varying degrees, some more strongly than others.
For more information in regards to trauma, see also “What is Trauma?“
For more information in regards to managing trauma, download our brochure “Managing Trauma”
