General Reactions to Emergencies or Critical
Incidents in Adults
First Reactions May Include:
Numbness, shock, difficulty
believing what has occurred or is in the
process
of occurring
Physical and mental reactions
may be very slow or confused
Difficulty in decision making;
uncertainty about things; it may be difficult
to
choose a course of action or to make even small
judgment calls
Ongoing Reactions May Include:
Loss of appetite, difficulty
sleeping, loss of interest or pleasure in
everyday activities
Desire to get away from everyone
- even family/friends
Emotional liability; becoming
irritable or upset more quickly than usual
Feelings of fatigue,
hopelessness, helplessness
Digestive problems; headaches or
backaches
Difficulty accepting that the
emergency has had an impact or difficulty
accepting support from friends and the community
Some Things That Can Be Helpful:
Take time to relax and do things
you find pleasant; getting away for a
few hours
with close friends can be helpful
Stick with your regular routine
for a while; avoid making changes, even
if it
appears to be a positive change
Get regular exercise or
participate in a regular sport; activity soothes
anxiety
and helps you relax
Keep your days as simple as
possible; avoid taking on any
additional responsibilities or new projects
Tap sources of assistance with
your workload - have students,
instructional
assistants, or volunteers help grade papers,
take care of
copying, or help with other time-consuming tasks
If symptoms of stress persist
beyond a few weeks or are severe,