COMMENTARY>>Talk it out: The big myth

by Capt. Rocky Liesman
19th Medical Operations Squadron

Today’s Airmen face the chance of being involved in a traumatic incident and The Traumatic Stress Response team is there to
help those who need help over coming challenges they experience in the aftermath.

The “talk it out” myth is the belief everyone exposed to a traumatic event (i.e., mass disaster, plane crash, shooting, etc.) is likely suffering from some emotional disturbance and must talk with a professional to help prevent a mental health disorder.

This myth was embodied in the Air Force’s prior adoption of the Critical Incident Stress Management model, which held the belief that forcing individuals to talk about their experiences immediately after a traumatic event could help prevent development of severe mental health symptoms later on.

This belief was based on the theory that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was the result of not processing the memories, feelings and thoughts surrounding exposure to a traumatic incident. As a result, individuals exposed to traumatic events were often forced to be a part of group debriefings to discuss details about the incident and their feelings following the incident: to “process” it. In fact, it was this response that often had military members avoiding on-site mental health workers like the plague.

The problem with the talk it out myth is the premise that everyone responds to trauma in the same way and that these responses are somehow signs of a larger problem. The reality is, there is no right or wrong way to respond following trauma.

There are certainly thoughts, emotions and behaviors that people can expect to have following trauma, but the truth is everyone will respond in unique ways, most of which do not require a mental health intervention.

TSR team’s role during a traumatic incident is best stated as, “We are here if you need us.” The reality is that immediately following a traumatic incident most people don’t require nor do they want to speak to a mental health provider. Instead, people require the basics; food, shelter, clothing, water, etc. The TSR team, like the credits in a movie, typically comes into the picture as everyone is leaving. The TSR team begins to function at its peak when the chaos calms down as this is the time when individuals exposed to a traumatic incident become most aware of the trauma’s impact.

In the days and weeks following a traumatic incident a commander will likely request the representatives of the TSR team to provide briefings or simply be available to those most directly impacted by the trauma. If Airmen should see a member of the TSR team, don’t run the other direction out of fear the team will force people to share their feelings.

The job of a TSR team member is to educate trauma survivors about the typical responses following trauma, which can include physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional changes for weeks to months following the traumatic incident.

Secondly, and most importantly, the role of TSR is to provide members with a familiar face to help ease the process of seeking help in the future should their response following a trauma begin to impair how they function at home, work or in their interactions with others.

Should a trauma occur here on base, keep in mind the TSR team slogan: “We are here if you need us.”

Look for changes in one’s self, coworkers and others, understanding they are normal, but being able to admit when the weight becomes too much to tolerate on their own.

Also note that following a team activation, survivors and their families can request up to four free sessions with anyone from the TSR team (Mental Health, Airman & Family Readiness, and Chaplains) during which no record is kept of the encounters. For more information about the TSR team, call 987-7338.