Stress Management Stress Management for Peace Officersfor Peace Officers

Chief David Rider

Fort Bend ISD Police

ObjectivesObjectives

Recognize and differentiate between positive and negative stress

Diagnose personal and organizational stress and stressors

Identify specific problems and apply treatments Gain practical knowledge about techniques that

can be readily applied Practice, discuss and problem solve

Stress: Good or Bad?Stress: Good or Bad?

All occupations experience stress

Some stress is good

What is “Stress”?What is “Stress”?

A mentally or emotionally disruptive condition in response to adverse external or internal influences and capable of affecting physical and mental health.

“…a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.”

-Merriam-Webster, 1998

What is “Stress”?What is “Stress”?There are different kinds of stressThere are different kinds of stress

Distress

Eustress

DistressDistressThe The “bad”“bad” kind of stress. kind of stress.

Work demandsDeath of a friend or family memberCar troublesFinancial issues

EustressEustressThe The “good”“good” kind of stress. kind of stress.

Job promotion Purchasing a new homeMarriageBirth of a babyThe Holidays

Distress versus EustressDistress versus Eustress

The “dis” and “eu” refer to the stressor, not the impact of the stressor.

Both can be equally taxing on the bodyStress is cumulative in nature.

Job Stress: External to Job Stress: External to AgencyAgency

Lack of respect from traditional LE agencies

Frustration with Juvenile Justice SystemCourt SchedulingPerceived Lack of Public SupportNegative / Distorted Media CoverageDecisions of Powers That Be

Job Stress: Internal to AgencyJob Stress: Internal to Agency

Offensive PoliciesPoor Training / No Career OpportunitiesLack of Recognition for Good PerformanceBenefits,Work Conditions, EquipmentPaperworkInconsistent DisciplineFavoritism

Stressors in Work ItselfStressors in Work Itself

Shift WorkFrequent Exposure to Misery and BrutalityBoredom to Sudden ActionFear / Dangers of JobResponsibility of Protection of LifeFragmented Nature of JobWork Overload

Stressors on Individual OfficerStressors on Individual Officer

Job Competence, Success, SafetyNecessity to ConformSecond Job / Further EducationSocial Status Change

Family and PersonalFamily and Personal

Marital Children Parents Financial

Stages of StressStages of Stress

Alarm Stage – At onset of event, physical and psychological changes occur. Perception disrupts your body’s normal balance and body reacts as best as possible.

Resistance Stage – Body tries to cope or adapt by beginning to repair damage.

Exhaustion Stage – Stressor not being managed effectively and body / mind are not able to repair the damage.

Warning Signs !!Warning Signs !!

Emotional symptoms Physical symptoms

Emotional Symptoms of Emotional Symptoms of StressStress

DivorceAlcoholismSuicideAbrupt change in typical behaviorRapid mood swingsOverly suspicious

Emotional Symptoms of Emotional Symptoms of StressStress

Overly hostileAlways blaming others for problemsBecoming argumentativeDepression

Physical Symptoms of StressPhysical Symptoms of Stress

Digestive disordersHeadachesExcessive illnessesBlood pressureSleep disorders

Post Traumatic Stress Post Traumatic Stress DisorderDisorder

Anxiety disorder that can occur after someone experiences a traumatic event that caused intense fear, helplessness, or horror.

Usually sudden and unexpectedOther names include Post Traumatic

Incident Stress and Critical Incident Stress

PTSD - HistoryPTSD - History

Dates back to Civil War

World War I and II Korean War Vietnam War Desert Storm Iraqi Freedom War

PTSD – Triggering EventsPTSD – Triggering Events

WarWitnessing or experiencing violenceChild abusePartner abuseShootingsAuto accidentsAir crashes

PTSD – Initial ResponsePTSD – Initial Response

Fight or Flight

Psychological Reactions to a Psychological Reactions to a Shooting IncidentShooting Incident

The Shooting:View the event in slow motionSenses keenly attuned to the eventSome can see the bullet leave the gunSome see the bullet hit the suspectThey see the blood come out of the body

and the body bend and fall

Psychological Reactions to a Psychological Reactions to a Shooting IncidentShooting Incident

Flashbacks:Event is re-lived in dreams and nightmaresNightmares reflect unexpressed feelingsConscious recognition of event can occur

(ex: Officer may drive past location of event and re-live the event)

Psychological Reactions to a Psychological Reactions to a Shooting IncidentShooting Incident

Fear:Of the violent nature of the eventOf insanity when they can’t shake the

memoriesOf real or imaginary retributionOf criminal or civil charges filed on themCause to avoid future confrontations so as

not to show a pattern of unjustified violence

Transition PhasesTransition PhasesFive phases a person goes throughFive phases a person goes through

Denial PhaseAnger PhaseBargaining PhaseDepression PhaseAcceptance Phase

Denial PhaseDenial Phase

Tendency to reject the traumatic incident occurred

DisbeliefMay be brief or non-existent in shootings

Anger PhaseAnger Phase

Feeling of anger or resentment that the traumatic event “had to happen to me”

Feeling of anger toward the suspect who “forced me to take action”

Bargaining PhaseBargaining Phase

A wish the event never took placeWish to “take back the bullet”

Depression PhaseDepression Phase

Often the longestIt’s severity depends on:The individual’s basic personalityThe nature of the eventThe reaction of the departmentThe reaction of the communityThe officer’s support system

Acceptance PhaseAcceptance Phase

The officer returns to a normal routineThe officer “gets over” the total

preoccupation with the eventAccepts the fact that the event occurredResumes normal lifeMay still have periodic times of depression,

anxiety, and insomnia

Possible SymptomsPossible Symptoms

Heightened sense of danger Anger Nightmares Isolation / withdrawal Fear / anxiety about future situations Sleep difficulties Flashbacks Emotional numbing Depression Alienation

Possible SymptomsPossible Symptoms

Guilt / Sorrow / Remorse Problems with authority figures, rules, regulations Family problems Feelings in insecurity / loss of control Sexual difficulties Alcohol / drug abuse Suicidal thoughts Similar to victims

Your Perception…Your Perception…

…of an event can make the event more stressful or less stressful

What Influences Stress What Influences Stress Levels?Levels?

Ability to laugh at one’s selfAttitude towards one’s jobSelf conceptAttitude toward those we encounter

Stress ReductionStress Reduction

Is there such a thing? We can reduce our

stress in two ways: Verbalizing our

feelings and… Relaxation techniques

VerbalizingVerbalizing

Talk with co-workers Peer counseling Talk with significant others Talk with supervisor Talk with clergy member Seek professional counseling Assertiveness information Aggressive characteristics

Relaxation Relaxation

You must be able to relax

Experience relaxation techniques:

Deep breathing Yoga Meditation

NutritionNutrition

What role does nutrition play in stress management?

ExerciseExercise

What role does exercise play in stress management?

Life StyleLife Style

What role does your life style play in stress management?

Smoking Drinking Sleep and rest

RecreationRecreation

What role does recreation play in stress management?

Get hobbies Have friends outside

of law enforcement

Coping With StressCoping With StressAppropriate or Not?Appropriate or Not?

Drinking Kicking the dog Drugs Exercise Hunting, fishing Needlepoint Sleeping Time off from work Eating Reading TV / Movies

Problems, Symptoms, and Problems, Symptoms, and Responses to Substance Abuse Responses to Substance Abuse

in Law Enforcementin Law Enforcement

Alcohol and Drugs at WorkAlcohol and Drugs at Work

A significant number of US workers abuse alcohol and / or drugs.

Alcohol and / or drug use occurs on the job as well as off the job

Alcohol and drug use endangers the health and safety of these workers, their co-workers, and the public

Law enforcement is not immune

Alcohol and Drug AbuseAlcohol and Drug AbuseFindings:Findings:

Abuse in the U.S.

Abuse in Law Enforcement

Personal Experiences

Work Place Alcohol / Drug Work Place Alcohol / Drug Abuse in U.S.Abuse in U.S.

It is estimated that; Approximately 10% can’t do their job due to

alcohol abuse. Approximately 3% can’t do their job due to drug

abuse. Approximately 10-23% use drugs (illicit or

prescription) on the job. Up to 65% of new work force members have used

illegal drugs.

Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Alcohol / Drug AbuseAlcohol / Drug Abuse

Survey of 2,200 officers in 29 departments in US revealed 23% of officers had serious alcohol problems.

Study of 6,182 Canadian police officers: 11% drank more than 5 drinks a day 13% drank more than 3 drinks a day 37% used illicit drugs in their lifetime 14% used illicit drugs in the past year 7% used illicit drugs in the past 30 days

Law EnforcementLaw EnforcementAlcohol / Drug AbuseAlcohol / Drug Abuse

Questionnaire to Chicago police officers revealed 40% drank while on duty.

Mid-western state study revealed 53% came to work with a hangover…

And an “average” officer drank alcohol on the job 16 days a year.

Personal Alcohol /Drug AbusePersonal Alcohol /Drug Abuse

Evaluate your own use of alcohol and drugs.

Assist co-workers who are experiencing alcohol and/or drug problems.

Responsibilities to Responsibilities to Co-WorkersCo-Workers

Should you intervene if you suspect a co-worker of abusing alcohol and / or drugs?

Why?

Responsibilities to Co-Responsibilities to Co-WorkersWorkers

You You CANCAN Help! Help!Be aware and recognize the problemUrge the person to seek help Encourage the person after they seek helpAvoidance leads to serious physical and

emotional problems by user.

Evaluation of Personal Evaluation of Personal Alcohol/Drug UsageAlcohol/Drug Usage

Do you use alcohol and/or drugs? (Include all prescription and non-prescription drugs.)

Why do you use alcohol and or drugs you listed? Are there medically sound alternatives to using drugs?

(Note: see your physician before discontinuing any medicine.)

What drug taking practices are broadly accepted in our society? Which are generally disapproved of? What practices are ambiguous?

How do you feel personally about alcohol and drugs?

““The amount of preparation and training The amount of preparation and training that takes place prior to a critical incident that takes place prior to a critical incident

will, to a large degree, determine the will, to a large degree, determine the cognitive, emotional, physical, and cognitive, emotional, physical, and

behavioral impact of the critical incident behavioral impact of the critical incident not only for the individual but for the not only for the individual but for the

organization as well.” organization as well.”

-Maggio and Terenzi-Maggio and Terenzi

Questions or CommentsQuestions or Comments