What are some common signs that you or a loved one may be experiencing stress? How do you know when these levels of stress are becoming harmful? Taking time to identify hidden stress in yourself and others can lead to better mental health and well-being . As first responders, it is imperative to be able to identify hidden stress not only in others but also in yourself. Only then will you be able to take the right measures to manage it.
When in moderation, stress can be a helpful indicator in letting us know if something is off balance in us or if an event we are experiencing is dangerous and should require our focus and energy. Stress is a normal physical response that our bodies enact when we may feel threatened by something. Whether it is a real threat or not, when we feel this way, our body kicks on its defenses. Sometimes these defenses work too well and we may begin to experience an excess of stress responses which can lead to certain mental and physical effects.
We are all human, and there are some common signs that may indicate you or a loved one is experiencing high levels of stress or trauma.
What are some common signs?
- Difficulty thinking clearly
Stress can have a negative effect on one’s cognitive abilities. Here are some ways it may be manifesting itself in you or a loved one:
– Impairing your concentration, decision-making, and memory
– Causing disorientation or confusion
– Creating issues with problem-solving
– Giving you trouble with remembering instructions
– Causing distortion and misinterpretation of events
– Giving you an inability to see situations clearly
- Strong negative feelings
When we are under stress, it can have an impact on our moods and emotions, usually causing us to have a negative outlook. If you experience sudden shifts in moods or are quick to suddenly feel any of these, you may be under a high amount of stress.
– Anger, frustration, argumentativeness, restlessness, and irritability
– Deep sadness and difficulty maintaining emotional balance
- Bodily sensations and physical effects
Not only does stress have the ability to affect your mental state, but it can also lead to physical responses. When you become stressed, your sympathetic nervous system—which controls your body’s rapid involuntary responses—activates your fight-or-flight response. Your body prepares for this by pumping blood to your major muscle groups and increases tension in case you need to fight or flee. If you do not need to take action, though, your muscles will stay tense and can lead to aches and pains. Here are some physical responses that may be hidden signs of stress:
– Frequent headaches, clenching of the jaw, grinding of the teeth, the tension in the neck and shoulders, other muscle tension
– Rapid heart rate, palpitations
– Gastrointestinal problems, nausea,
– Inability to relax when off work, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, and nightmares
- Problematic or risky behaviors
As well as affecting our mood, stress can cause us to change our behavior in ways that may not be normal for us. If you find that you or a loved one is acting out in ways that are not usual, it may be a sign of stress.
– Unnecessary risk-taking, failure to use personal protective equipment
– Refusal to follow orders or leave the scene, endangerment of others
– Increased use or misuse of alcohol or prescription drugs
- Social conflicts
When the effects of stress are severe enough, they may be causing you or a loved one to act in ways that are also putting others at risk, or causing you to have difficulty interacting with others. Here are some signs that you can look for:
– Irritability, hostility, anger, and blaming
– Reduced ability to support teammates
– Conflicts with peers or family
– Withdrawal and isolation
How do I know when to seek help?
When you are used to being the one who helps others, it can be hard to know when you are the one in need of help. We are all human; we all experience stress. It is not a sign of weakness to deal with stress. Being able to identify it within yourself and take proper steps in managing it is a strength. For first responders, experiencing traumatic stress is a normal response to experiencing abnormal events. You may be experiencing these abnormal situations on a daily basis that the average person is not used to. Your physical and mental well-being may eventually take a toll on this. When stress interferes with or negatively impacts your daily life, job, relationships, or quality of life, it is important to take steps to manage it.
First responders and their families experience more acute stress and trauma than the general population, and the statistics are staggering. With years of experience serving First Responders, we have a distinctive view of their career and family life – from new recruit training, wellness visits, peer support services, counseling, crisis support, department training, and long-term treatment. We are here to help. To get in touch with First Responder Wellness, email info@frhealth.com or call 888.443.4898 to connect with our culturally competent team.
