Expressive Suppression
Suppressing the urge to openly express emotions while dealing with critical incidents, especially those that involve death, is all part of the job for nurses, doctors, paramedics, rescue and other emergency service personnel.
In the beginning you learn quickly from experienced staff, and it becomes second nature far quicker than you would think for the majority of new comers.
In the beginning you learn quickly from experienced staff, and it becomes second nature far quicker than you would think for the majority of new comers.
The case for expressive suppression (keeping a stiff upper lip) is that by controlling reactions to emotional events the job at hand can be done more efficiently and effectively. Although this sounds harsh, it’s does help to cope with the high drama of critical incidents.
It does have it drawbacks however. One of them being, that when expressive suppression is compounded by repeated critical incidents, suppressing memoires may become another coping factor.
Being human, emotions can’t always be controlled, especially when confronted by extremely upset next of kin and relatives. Yes, at times it's a hard task not to shed a tear.
At the end of the day when the call comes to return home, putting aside any further regulating of emotions, comes with a great sigh of relief. Unfortunately for some it continues to their detriment and that of the family unit.
The advent of regular counselling has assisted many deal with the hard situations they have faced, especially the younger breed. But, for those that have gone without counselling for the greater part of their working life, it's a hard task for some, who may have bottled things up for decades and fear being moved on as a result of a negative report, to completely open up.
For these members, suppressing memories and pier support had been their only avenue to deal with the countless critical incidents they had attended.
Given time and patience, an experienced counsellor with a wealth of real life experiences will gain their trust; enabling old hands, be they a deeply private person; a poor conversationalist; an old fart set in their ways or a combination of all of the above, the confidence to relive and share past traumatic events without fear or shame.
It does have it drawbacks however. One of them being, that when expressive suppression is compounded by repeated critical incidents, suppressing memoires may become another coping factor.
Being human, emotions can’t always be controlled, especially when confronted by extremely upset next of kin and relatives. Yes, at times it's a hard task not to shed a tear.
At the end of the day when the call comes to return home, putting aside any further regulating of emotions, comes with a great sigh of relief. Unfortunately for some it continues to their detriment and that of the family unit.
The advent of regular counselling has assisted many deal with the hard situations they have faced, especially the younger breed. But, for those that have gone without counselling for the greater part of their working life, it's a hard task for some, who may have bottled things up for decades and fear being moved on as a result of a negative report, to completely open up.
For these members, suppressing memories and pier support had been their only avenue to deal with the countless critical incidents they had attended.
Given time and patience, an experienced counsellor with a wealth of real life experiences will gain their trust; enabling old hands, be they a deeply private person; a poor conversationalist; an old fart set in their ways or a combination of all of the above, the confidence to relive and share past traumatic events without fear or shame.
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14 comments - care to make one?:
My mom, being an RN (retired), has always been cool, calm and collected. It has become a part of her nature, or maybe it has always BEEN her nature to not be outwardly emotional. Since dad's passing last September she has mentioned times when someone talking about him has 'almost' caused her to cry. She doesn't WANT to cry. Because of this lack of outward expression, I have never been much of a hugger, not much for casual contact. My daughter is the same way. I don't know if this is good or bad, or if it really makes a difference. The children/grandchildren get plenty of hugs, sometimes to their embarrassment. :)
Its all part of acceptance Peter.
BTW for weeks now I been trying to add you to my reader, and for some reason it is not accepting. Do you still have me under the followers?
On the side note, just been enjoying summer with Matthew. No no swear words, however, today we went to mcdonalds after dinner, he spots two girls sitting by the table, next thing he waves with a big fry in his mouth, and says 'hi girls'. Every day we have something to laugh about. Hope all is good with you and little Emmi probably is talking by now :).
Hi Moonshadow. Nursing has a way of burying emotions, with this flowing on into personal life. As to the exact numbers this affects, going my gut feelings, it has got to be quite a high number. Thank you for sharing your memories.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Anna.Yes, I am following you. The only thing I can think of, is that I changed my email address. The bottom of my blog has the new one.
Now, it sounds like Matthew is ready for girlfriends! Emmi is talking a little and is able to point to her nose, mouth and ears, when prompted.
As for acceptance, others who have not gone through this, will always have difficultly in understanding.
Take Care,
Peter
Peter
I have to say, quite an impressive post. Introspective and honest and captured perfectly by your words. Well done.
How are you? I hope this finds you and all your countrymen well. Still reviewing Emma's 1200 pictures from her Australia trip...incredible country you have, my friend!
Jim
Hi StorytellERdoc and thank you. I'd imagine you would have seen this for yourself in and around work.
Things are OK here. I just got back from my personal trainer in fact in preparation for my physical exam. Boy! Do I have a lot to do to pass that.
Good to hear that Emma's back home. Are we going to see some of the photos on flickr or the like?
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter,
I comprehend this defence mechanism quite perfectly. If one yields to every emotion (on the job) then one will go crazy and the job will be poorly done.
Imagine if this mechanism didn't exist: many people would freeze with fear or shock even.
Cheers
Hey Peter sounds like Emmi is a very smart little girl. I can only imagine how she points to her nose, mouth and ears, must be so cute. Matthew for girlfriends, I don't know, may be for older women, lol, he loves to see all the neighbor ladies, and he calls them Lady Mary, Lady Maria, Lady Margaret, etc, and in general sometimes Hi ladies, lol. They love him for that too. Anna :)
Hi Max. It's not that they become unattached to their feelings, it's just the wrong place to express them.
There is a saying, "You don't want to be seen running around like a chook with its head chopped off when you're charged with caring for someone."
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Anna. Yes, Matthew by all accounts, is one cool kid!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter,
"It's not that they become unattached to their feelings, it's just the wrong place to express them."
I understand what you mean.
Cheers
Hi Max! Hoping all's well with you.
Hi Peter,
All is well, mate, thanks! :D
I am finally back home!
Cheers
Hi Max! Time for some home cooked meals then! BTW I had to put comment moderation back on due to some twit! (No need to reply to this one)
Take Care,
Peter
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