Debriefing Handout

Debriefing Handout:

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS INFORMATION SHEET

You have experienced a traumatic event or a critical incident (any incident that [would cause most individuals] to experience unusually strong emotional reactions which have the potential to interfere with their ability to function either at the scene or later). 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 understanding and the support of loved ones the stress reactions usually pass 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 event was just too powerful for the person to manage by themselves.

Here are some common signs and signals of a stress reaction:

Physical*	Cognitive	Emotional	Behavioral
chills	confusion	fear	withdrawal
thirst	nightmares	guilt	antisocial acts
fatigue	uncertainty	grief	inability to rest
nausea	hypervigilance	panic	intensified pacing
fainting	suspiciousness	denial	erratic movements
twitches	intrusive images	anxiety	change in social activity
vomiting	blaming someone	agitation	change in speech patterns
dizziness	poor problem solving	irritability	loss or increase of appetite
weakness	poor abstract thinking	depression	hyperalert to environment
chest pain	poor attention/ decisions	intense anger	increased alcohol consumption
headaches	poor concentration/ memory	apprehension	change in usual communications
elevated BP	disorientation of time, place or person	emotional shock	etc...
rapid heart rate	difficulty identifying objects or people	emotional outbursts
muscle tremors	heightened or lowered alertness	feeling overwhelmed
shock symptoms	increased or decreased awareness of surroundings	loss of emotional control
grinding of teeth	etc...	inappropriate emotional response
visual difficulties		etc...
profuse sweating
difficulty breathing
etc...

* Any of these symptoms may indicate the need for medical evaluation.

When in doubt, contact a physician.

THINGS TO TRY:

WITHIN THE FIRST 24 - 48 HOURS periods of appropriate physical exercise, alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions.
Structure your time - keep busy.
You're normal and having normal reactions - don't label yourself crazy.
Talk to people - talk is the most healing medicine.
Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol, you don't need to complicate this with a substance abuse problem.
Reach out - people do care.
Maintain as normal a schedule as possible.
Spend time with others.
Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing.
Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others.
Keep a journal, write your way through those sleepless hours.
Realize those around you are under stress.
Don't make any big life changes.
Do make as many daily decisions as possible which will give you a feeling of control over your life, i.e., if someone asks you what you want to eat - answer them even if you're not sure.
Get plenty of rest.
Reoccurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks are normal - don't try to fight them -they'll decrease over time and become less painful.
Eat well-balanced and regular meals (even if you don't feel like it).

FOR FAMILY MEMBERS & FRIENDS

Listen carefully.
Spend time with the traumatized person.
Offer your assistance and a listening ear if they have not asked for help.
Reassure them that they are safe.
Help them with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, caring for the family, minding children.
Give them some private time.
Don't take their anger or other feelings personally.
Don't tell them that they are "lucky it wasn't worse" - traumatized people are not consoled by those statements. Instead, tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist them.

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