Stress Myths

[MrJim911]

Some Stress Myths...

"Get over it."

"It's all in your head."

"It could have been worse."

"Doesn't bother me, why should it bother you?"

"It wasn't that big of a deal."



If your needing to talk with someone and they're telling you stuff like this... Stop talking with them and go find someone else that will listen and help.

And remember what Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D. said.

"...much of the stress of police work is a result of trying to hide the stress of the job."

[K9 Police]

Originally posted by MrJim911
And remember what Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D. said.

"...much of the stress of police work is a result of trying to hide the stress of the job."

Speaking of which, I recommend "I Love A Cop" to any LEO out there!

K9

[BasementAddix]

My "stress" seems to be that i work for a "job" that acts like it hates me more then i dislike it...the NYPD seems like they purposely make the job suck...for lack of a better word...;)

[ATF SAC]

It could well be that an agency's circumstances make for additonal stress, but I suggest being careful with the conclusion that everything is great but the bureaucracy. Pretty typical for us to act out or express stress that is related to concerns about our performance or the experiences on the job in terms of it being the agenciy's fault. Kind of socially acceptable complaining, but often we put in that bucket real stess problems and as a result don't address and get to the problem that is really underlying our complaint. I'm fine, but the agency sucks doesn't work. Agency isn't stressed a bit, you are and that is what has to be dealt with.

Kind of works out to I would be great if everyone else would change. We have a much better shot a changing ourselves.

A little artificial but effective to write down a list of what is driving us crazy. Then look at it. Not emotionally, but as a list of things. How do they stack up individually as things we would say in better days should be getting our goat? What is out of our control and what is in? Paper freaking us out? Hey, paper is part of it, we all know that. Salary and government decisions? Issue that we are not making enough is a serious stressor, why haven't we moved on to lower cost of living or higher pay? Work through that list with a little honesty, looking at the things we can control and can't. Maybe we would like to move on but the family won't go. Hey, that is a real live stressor, but not the fault of the outfit.

Sometimes we stress out fighting the wrong fight. Life would be great if I could get 4 strikes everytime I go to bat. That isn't going to happen. We fight for a change in the rules as they are affecting us instead of dealing with why we are refusing to recognize the rules and conditions and deal with that.

[MTB_Patrol]

Originally posted by K9 Police
Speaking of which, I recommend "I Love A Cop" to any LEO out there!

K9

Great book, I just finished reading it
(before handing over to my wife.)

Another excellent one is "Cops Don't Cry"

[Firewoman203]

My husband had me read the book when we started dating 4 years ago. It was a good book to ready for anyone. Especially when the family isn't involved in LE.