Police Officers Managing Stress

Police officers managing stress effectively should be a primary concern of every law enforcement agency and the public. Police officers encounter stressful situations daily, and without intervention, this stress builds to an unhealthy level. Untreated stress puts law enforcement officers at risk for numerous health problems and impairs their ability to perform their job duties.

Police officers are challenged with an enormous amount of emotional and physical stress. Long hours, high demands, exposure to death, and a constant threat of danger and physical harm all result in a near-constant state of flight-or-fight. Over time, this stressful state may cause serious health conditions.

Stress puts police officers at increased risk for:

• High blood pressure
• Heart problems
• Insomnia
• Suicide
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Infection caused by immune dysfunction

Unfortunately, many law enforcement officers attempt to hide their stress or downplay the physical and emotional symptoms of stress. Fear of losing the trust of their fellow officers, concerns about work demotions, and the belief that they will be seen as weak or unable to handle their work responsibilities forces them to remain silent about their symptoms. This increases stress levels until symptoms are too severe to hide.

Symptoms of stress in police officers include:

• Sleeping too much or too little
• Marital problems
• Substance abuse or increased drinking
• Excessive indigestion or heartburn
• Irritability, short temper
• Loss of sexual drive
• Nightmares
• Isolation, loss of interest in social activities
• Startling easily
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Increased use of sick time
• Crying, depression
• Suicidal thoughts or plans
• Poor job performance

If you are a police officer dealing with dangerous levels of stress, or are a loved one of police officers managing stress in unhealthy ways, it is important to seek help before symptoms worsen.

You should never ignore the signs and symptoms of severe stress. Suicide rates are higher for law enforcement officers than for nearly every other profession, and the National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation states that high stress levels are the primary reason for many police suicides.

Where to Find Help:

• Talk to a trusted family member, friend, or fellow officer about your stress and symptoms. Sometimes, talking about your symptoms to an understanding loved one is enough to help you work through your problems.

• Speak with your minister or church leader for advice and help. If you are worried about your peers judging you, or have concerns about being reprimanded at work for your symptoms, speaking in confidence with a church elder offers a safe outlet.

• Ask your supervisor for a leave of absence from work. It is very likely your supervisor will grant your leave, and you may even discover that he or she understands your problems and has dealt with similar experiences.

• Seek professional counseling from a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in stress or high-risk professions. Family counseling is also useful if your job-related stress is negatively affecting your marriage. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication to help you sleep or deal with anxiety and depression.

The worst thing you can do is remain silent. Help is out there, but you have to reach out and ask for it. Your home life, health, and job performance directly depend on your ability to handle the stress in your life.

If you cannot find the desire or courage to seek help for yourself, consider your family and fellow officers when making a decision. Your stress affects everyone around you.

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