Extreme Reactions
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Montgomery County Critical Incident Stress Management Team

 

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Montgomery Hospital Medical Center Stress Mitigation

Extreme Stress Reactions

When the stress response is active for a long period of time, it can damage the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. People develop patterns of response to stress that are as varied as the individuals.  These responses simply suggest a need for corrective action to limit their impact.  An optimum level of stress can act as a creative, motivational force that drives a person to achieve incredible feats. As noted earlier, most people do not suffer severe effects from manageable levels of stress.  Chronic or traumatic stress, on the other hand, is potentially very destructive and can deprive people of physical and mental health.  If stress is extreme and not managed, some individuals may experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other problems of physical and mental health.  Symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person's daily life, both personal and occupational.

Severe Reactions After Exposure To A Major Event:

bulletIntrusive reexperiencing: terrifying memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
bulletExtreme emotional numbing: completely unable to feel emotion, as if empty
bulletExtreme attempts to avoid disturbing memories: such as through substance use
bulletHyperarousal: panic attacks, rage, extreme irritability, intense agitation, violence
bulletSevere anxiety: debilitating worry, extreme helplessness, compulsions or obsessions
bulletSevere depression: loss of the ability to feel hope, pleasure, or interest; feeling worthless, suicidal ideation or intent
bulletDissociation: fragmented thoughts, spaced put, unaware of surroundings, amnesia

 

 

Adapted from:

Department of Veterans Affairs.  Mental Health Reactions After Disaster:  A Fact Sheet For Providers.  Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD: Washington , D.C. , Unknown year.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis Response Professions. DHHS Pub. No. SMA 4113.  Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Rockville , MD, 2005.

 

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