Stress and a humanitarian career
• Stress and trauma • Symptoms
of traumatic stress
What to do after a traumatic event •
Managing cumulative stress • Links
and resources
Stress and trauma
“Stress” has become part of popular language. How often have you heard the phrase, “I’m stressed out!” You’ve probably used it yourself. But what does it really mean?
What is stress?
- The reaction to any real or perceived challenge, demand, threat, or change to which you must adapt. Stress can occur in reaction to both negative events (e.g., a car accident) and positive events (e.g., getting married). Stress is not always negative. We all need a certain amount of stress in our daily lives to motivate, challenge us, and make life interesting.
What is trauma?
- Trauma, or a stress reaction, occurs when the demands of stressful events exceed our available coping resources at that point in time. Trauma can lead to negative changes in psychological and biological functioning. When we experience trauma or a stress reaction, we start to show physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual signs that we are “stressed” and under pressure.
What is vicarious trauma?
Vicarious trauma is a stress reaction that can occur in response
to hearing about traumatic events that have happened to others. Signs
and symptoms of vicarious trauma are similar to those triggered by direct
exposure to traumatic events.
What is critical incident stress?
A trauma reaction that occurs as a result of a traumatic event during
which harm or death seriously threatens an individual. Examples of such
critical incidents include:
- Exposure to danger during conflict or a natural disaster
- Exposure to and/or witnessing death by violence
- Being taken hostage
- Being assaulted
What is cumulative stress?
A less dramatic, more gradual, form of stress reaction often related to
lower-intensity chronic stressors such as:
- Poor preparation and briefing
- Difficult, dangerous and exhausting tasks
- Facing moral and ethical dilemmas
- A chaotic and reactive work environment
- Separation from your family and friends
- Chronic sleep deprivation
Stress and a humanitarian
career • Stress and trauma • Symptoms
of traumatic stress
What to do after a traumatic event •
Managing cumulative stress • Links
and resources