1. Stress Management for Peace Officers Chief David Rider Fort Bend ISD Police

2. Objectives 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

3. Stress: Good or Bad? All occupations experience stress Some stress is good

4. 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

5. What is “Stress”? There are different kinds of stress Distress Eustress

6. Distress The “bad” kind of stress. Work demands Death of a friend or family member Car troubles Financial issues

7. Eustress The “good” kind of stress. Job promotion Purchasing a new home Marriage Birth of a baby The Holidays

8. Distress versus Eustress The “dis” and “eu” refer to the stressor, not the impact of the stressor. Both can be equally taxing on the body Stress is cumulative in nature.

9. Job Stress: External to Agency Lack of respect from traditional LE agencies Frustration with Juvenile Justice System Court Scheduling Perceived Lack of Public Support Negative / Distorted Media Coverage Decisions of Powers That Be

10. Job Stress: Internal to Agency Offensive Policies Poor Training / No Career Opportunities Lack of Recognition for Good Performance Benefits,Work Conditions, Equipment Paperwork Inconsistent Discipline Favoritism

11. Stressors in Work Itself Shift Work Frequent Exposure to Misery and Brutality Boredom to Sudden Action Fear / Dangers of Job Responsibility of Protection of Life Fragmented Nature of Job Work Overload

12. Stressors on Individual Officer Job Competence, Success, Safety Necessity to Conform Second Job / Further Education Social Status Change

13. Family and Personal Marital Children Parents Financial

14. Stages 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.

15. Warning Signs !! Emotional symptoms Physical symptoms

16. Emotional Symptoms of Stress Divorce Alcoholism Suicide Abrupt change in typical behavior Rapid mood swings Overly suspicious

17. Emotional Symptoms of Stress Overly hostile Always blaming others for problems Becoming argumentative Depression

18. Physical Symptoms of Stress Digestive disorders Headaches Excessive illnesses Blood pressure Sleep disorders

19. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Anxiety disorder that can occur after someone experiences a traumatic event that caused intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Usually sudden and unexpected Other names include Post Traumatic Incident Stress and Critical Incident Stress

20. PTSD - History Dates back to Civil War World War I and II Korean War Vietnam War Desert Storm Iraqi Freedom War

21. PTSD – Triggering Events War Witnessing or experiencing violence Child abuse Partner abuse Shootings Auto accidents Air crashes

22. PTSD – Initial Response Fight or Flight

23. Psychological Reactions to a Shooting Incident The Shooting: View the event in slow motion Senses keenly attuned to the event Some can see the bullet leave the gun Some see the bullet hit the suspect They see the blood come out of the body and the body bend and fall

24. Psychological Reactions to a Shooting Incident Flashbacks: Event is re-lived in dreams and nightmares Nightmares reflect unexpressed feelings Conscious recognition of event can occur (ex: Officer may drive past location of event and re-live the event)

25. Psychological Reactions to a Shooting Incident Fear: Of the violent nature of the event Of insanity when they can’t shake the memories Of real or imaginary retribution Of criminal or civil charges filed on them Cause to avoid future confrontations so as not to show a pattern of unjustified violence

26. Transition Phases Five phases a person goes through Denial Phase Anger Phase Bargaining Phase Depression Phase Acceptance Phase

27. Denial Phase Tendency to reject the traumatic incident occurred Disbelief May be brief or non-existent in shootings

28. Anger 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”

29. Bargaining Phase A wish the event never took place Wish to “take back the bullet”

30. Depression Phase Often the longest It’s severity depends on: The individual’s basic personality The nature of the event The reaction of the department The reaction of the community The officer’s support system

31. Acceptance Phase The officer returns to a normal routine The officer “gets over” the total preoccupation with the event Accepts the fact that the event occurred Resumes normal life May still have periodic times of depression, anxiety, and insomnia

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

33. Possible 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

34. Your Perception… …of an event can make the event more stressful or less stressful

35. What Influences Stress Levels? Ability to laugh at one’s self Attitude towards one’s job Self concept Attitude toward those we encounter

36. Stress Reduction Is there such a thing? We can reduce our stress in two ways: Verbalizing our feelings and… Relaxation techniques

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

38. Relaxation You must be able to relax Experience relaxation techniques: Deep breathing Yoga Meditation

39. Nutrition What role does nutrition play in stress management?

40. Exercise What role does exercise play in stress management?

41. Life Style What role does your life style play in stress management? Smoking Drinking Sleep and rest

42. Recreation What role does recreation play in stress management? Get hobbies Have friends outside of law enforcement

43. Coping With Stress Appropriate or Not? Drinking Kicking the dog Drugs Exercise Hunting, fishing Needlepoint Sleeping Time off from work Eating Reading TV / Movies

44. Problems, Symptoms, and Responses to Substance Abuse in Law Enforcement

45. Alcohol 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

46. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Findings: Abuse in the U.S. Abuse in Law Enforcement Personal Experiences

47. Work Place Alcohol / Drug 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.

48. Law Enforcement Alcohol / 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

49. Law Enforcement Alcohol / 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.

50. Personal Alcohol /Drug Abuse Evaluate your own use of alcohol and drugs. Assist co-workers who are experiencing alcohol and/or drug problems.

51. Responsibilities to Co-Workers Should you intervene if you suspect a co- worker of abusing alcohol and / or drugs? Why?

52. Responsibilities to Co- Workers You CAN Help! Be aware and recognize the problem Urge the person to seek help Encourage the person after they seek help Avoidance leads to serious physical and emotional problems by user.

53. Evaluation of Personal Alcohol/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?

54. “The amount of preparation and training that takes place prior to a critical incident will, to a large degree, determine the cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral impact of the critical incident not only for the individual but for the organization as well.” -Maggio and Terenzi

55. Questions or Comments