What causes Critical Incident Stress?

Critical Incident Stress is primarily caused by extraordinary occupational events, which are typically traumatic incidents that occur in a work environment, particularly for professionals in emergency services, law enforcement, or other high-stress occupations. These events can include situations like witnessing severe injuries or death, being involved in life-threatening scenarios, or confronting violent situations. Such experiences can trigger intense emotional reactions that can lead to Psychological distress or a mental health condition if not addressed properly.

This reflects how extraordinary events can overwhelm the normal coping mechanisms of individuals, leading to stress responses that differ significantly from those encountered during routine activities or ordinary emotional responses. Emotional reactions to regular job duties or everyday stressors do not typically lead to critical incident stress in the same profound way that extraordinary events do, and while natural disasters can be incredibly traumatic, they are not classified as occupational events unless they specifically impact on-duty personnel in their line of work.