{"id":18,"date":"2018-07-17T15:02:13","date_gmt":"2018-07-17T22:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newadvantagetemp.com\/pccism\/?page_id=18"},"modified":"2026-10-07T12:23:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T16:23:20","slug":"experience-a-traumatic-event","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/newadvantagetemp.com\/pccism\/experience-a-traumatic-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Experience A Traumatic Event?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-page-hero” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-hero-bg-mod na-no-reveal” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\"Two<\/div>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_row column_structure=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-no-reveal reveal” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Home<\/a>  \/  Experience a Traumatic Event?<\/div>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-words” global_colors_info=”{}”]

A critical incident stress reaction is normal. What you do next matters.<\/em><\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-lead” global_colors_info=”{}”]

A critical incident is any event that causes emergency service personnel to experience unusually strong emotional reactions \u2014 a critical incident stress reaction that can interfere with your ability to function at the scene or later. This page is the PCCISM pamphlet, online.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-linen” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-eyebrow” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Emotional aftershocks<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-words” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Even though the event is over, your body may not know it yet.<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-prose” global_colors_info=”{}”]

It is very common \u2014 in fact, quite normal \u2014 for people to experience emotional aftershocks after passing through a horrible event. Sometimes the critical incident stress reaction appears immediately. At other times it appears a few hours or a few days later, and in some cases weeks or months may pass before it surfaces.<\/p>

The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks, a few months \u2014 and occasionally longer, depending on the severity of the event. With understanding and the support of loved ones, however, they usually pass more quickly. Occasionally the event is so painful that professional assistance from a counselor is necessary. This does not imply craziness or weakness.<\/strong> Rather, it simply means that the particular event was too powerful for one person to manage alone.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Talk to a peer now<\/a>Crisis & support lines<\/a><\/div>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/newadvantagetemp.com\/pccism\/wp-content\/uploads\/firefighters-comfort-after-call.jpg” alt=”A firefighter comforting a colleague through a critical incident stress reaction after a difficult call” title_text=”A firefighter comforting a colleague through a critical incident stress reaction after a difficult call” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-photo na-tilt reveal-scale” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-dark na-grain” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-narrow” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-eyebrow na-center” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Signs & signals<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-words na-center” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Common signs of a critical incident stress reaction<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-lead na-center na-measure” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Any of the physical symptoms may indicate the need for medical evaluation. Above all, don\u2019t wait on chest pain or difficulty breathing \u2014 get checked.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-wide” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Physical<\/h3>
Chills, thirst, fatigue<\/span>Nausea, vomiting, dizziness<\/span>Weakness, fainting, twitches<\/span>Chest pain, headaches<\/span>Elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate<\/span>Muscle tremors, grinding of teeth<\/span>Visual difficulties, profuse sweating<\/span>Difficulty breathing<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Cognitive<\/h3>
Confusion, nightmares<\/span>Uncertainty, hypervigilance<\/span>Suspiciousness, intrusive images<\/span>Blaming someone<\/span>Poor problem solving or abstract thinking<\/span>Poor attention, concentration or memory<\/span>Disorientation of time, place or person<\/span>Heightened or lowered alertness<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Emotional<\/h3>
Fear, guilt, grief, panic<\/span>Denial, anxiety, agitation<\/span>Irritability, depression<\/span>Intense anger, apprehension<\/span>Emotional shock or outbursts<\/span>Feeling overwhelmed<\/span>Loss of emotional control<\/span>Inappropriate emotional response<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Behavioral<\/h3>
Withdrawal, antisocial acts<\/span>Inability to rest, intensified pacing<\/span>Erratic movements<\/span>Change in social activity<\/span>Change in speech patterns<\/span>Loss or increase of appetite<\/span>Hyperalert to environment<\/span>Increased alcohol consumption<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Spiritual<\/h3>
Anger at God<\/span>Questioning of basic beliefs<\/span>Withdrawal from place of worship<\/span>Faith practices and rituals seem empty<\/span>Loss of meaning and purpose<\/span>Uncharacteristic religious involvement<\/span>Sense of isolation from God<\/span>Anger at clergy<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-linen” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-eyebrow” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Ways for you to respond<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-words” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Responding to a critical incident stress reaction in the first 24\u201348 hours<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ module_class=”na-prose” global_colors_info=”{}”]