ABSTRACT
CONTENTS Introduction............................................................................................ 446 Theory .................................................................................................... 446
Psychological Effects of a Traumatic Incident ................................ 446 Denial and Shock.................................................................. 447 Distress, Despair, Hopelessness, and Sadness ........................ 447 Sleep Loss and Change of Habit ........................................... 447 Alienation, Withdrawal, and Isolation ................................... 447 Remorse and Guilt ................................................................ 447 Panic ..................................................................................... 447 Unable to Plan or Make Decisions........................................ 447 Anger, Hostility, and Resentment ......................................... 448 Idealization............................................................................ 448 Acceptance ............................................................................ 448
Personal Experience (the Reality) ............................................................ 448
Reaction of Emergency Service Personnel to Trauma.............................. 451 Psychological Benefits of Emergency Work.................................... 452
Altruism ................................................................................ 452 Adventure, Excitement Seeking............................................. 452 Humor.................................................................................. 453 Positive Reactions after a Major Incident .............................. 453
Conclusion.............................................................................................. 455 References ............................................................................................... 456
Introduction It is a well-known fact that individuals react differently to stress and traumatic incidents. This being the case, in this treatise I briefly examine the psychological effects of traumatic stress on people as individuals and how it affects their personal recovery and the overall recovery of their family. I will also examine the effects of such traumatic incidents, both positive and negative, on Emergency Service Personnel and the overall benefit of discipline both within the emergency services and the general populace as a tool to mitigate the immediate effects of trauma. Throughout the chapter, I rely on recognized and authoritative texts and my extensive personal experience in facing and attending traumatic and critical incidents.
