SGTM 04

STRESS MANAGEMENT

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Structure of Presentation
Stress

and stress management Types of stress Symptoms Stress management & coping guidelines Summary

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Basics in the management of mission stress

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

What is stress?
A physical and psychological process taking place when you react to, and have to cope with, events or situations that place extraordinary pressure on you.

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

The stress reaction

Normal

reaction to an abnormal/difficult situation. Facilitates - full attention - mobilizes maximum physical energy on the matter at hand.

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Some influencing factor

Past

experience with similar situations Education and professional skills Pre-deployment training Age Physical fitness Self esteem Approach to life

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Types of Stress
Basal

(Basic)

Cumulative Critical

Traumatic (Traumatic Incident)

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Basal Stress
Normal

everyday stress.
on your situation.

Depends Is

normally higher on missions, due to the character of work and new and different surroundings.
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

Cumulative Stress
Stress that comes too often, lasts too long or is too severe starts to get to you, influencing your well being and thought processes.
Frequency

Duration
Intensity
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Basic and Cumulative stresses

Lack of influence Little variation in food

Few work Challenges

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Limited sleep and privacy

Limited Recreation
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Critical (traumatic) Incident Stress (CIS)

The stress of one specific, difficult, incident that causes emotional reaction, affecting you or others.

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

CIS
Powerless

spectator to violence Hearing first hand reports of illtreatment or torture Direct intimidation or threats Bombing of buildings, mining of roads Attacks on vehicles or convoys Accidents with death/injured friends
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

CIS
Some individuals handle

With minimal problems A grossly affected

U N

This does not make one a better individual than the other.
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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Preparing to cope with stress

Planning a successful military action:
Exact intelligence as to what to expect Briefing, planning and preparations Executing the operation After mission evaluation Follow up

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Exact intelligence as to what to expect

What to expect Operationally Emotionally

What not to expect

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Briefing, planning and preparations.

Know

the situation Plan how to deal with it Practice Trust your abilities and equipment! Prepare

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Stress should be expected!

If

stresses are expected, the person should be prepared for own reactions! If you are prepared for reactions you acknowledge when they are present! You must acknowledge a reaction to be able to relate to and deal with it.

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Non-productive stress management

Use of alcohol

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Non-productive stress management

SEX

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Affect of stress on an individual?

It

is often easier to identify stress reactions in others than in oneself. Recognize it in yourself - accept it and seek support in dealing with it! Recognize it in others - help them to get the support they need.
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Performance related symptoms of stress reaction:

Lowered

concentration

Memory

dysfunction
making decisions

Difficulty

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Physical Symptoms

Dizzy

spells pulse

Increased

Sweating

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Emotional symptoms
Emotional

shock.

Unprovoked anger. Unexpected or exaggerated grief. Depression for no reason. Feeling overwhelmed
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

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Individual Behaviour
Changes

in behaviour Changes in eating habits Decrease in personal hygiene Withdrawal from others Prolonged silences
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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

HAPPY
Normal

Stress

UNHAPPY

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Basic Life Support

Identify

need Identify cause Avoid additional injury Limit damage Treat to restore normal situation Send to higher level if needed
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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Approach
The approach to Stress management is the same whether you have identified yourself as needing support or you are supporting / caring for somebody else!
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Identify need
Physical changes?
Behavior changes?

Emotional changes? Cognitive Changes?

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Identify cause

Accept that cumulative or traumatic incident stress may be the reason for the changes and address the changes accordingly
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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Avoid additional injury

When

the cause of injury is identified the individual must be moved away to avoid further injury
individual may return when s/he is better prepared to face and respond to the situation

The

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Limit damage

first aid in stress management, and for most is a sufficient treatment Let the patient ease her/his burden by listening and sharing Acceptance, sharing understanding Take time!

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Treat to restore normal situation

Accept

that this is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. the problem to be revisited.

Allow

Follow

up after you or the one you have supported is back to work.

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

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Send to higher level if needed

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Questions ?

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO