Mental Health – Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

The constant intake of stress or encountering a highly stressful event can cause the emergency service professional to suffer stress reaction symptoms. These symptoms may include:

Fatigue
  • Identification with the victims
  • Nausea
  • Nightmares
  • GI upsets
  • Flashbacks
  • Memory loss
  • Fear of repetition of the stressful event
  • Concentration problems
  • Mood swings and depression
  • Problem solving difficulties
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Anxiety
  • Changes in eating and work habits
  • Fear
  • Unusual actions or behaviors
  • Depression
  

For more information on CISM contact Karen Owens, Emergency Operations Manager, at Karen.Owens@vdh.virginia.gov.