What is critical incident stress primarily a response to?

Critical incident stress is primarily a response to overwhelming traumatic events. Such incidents may include exposure to life-threatening situations, severe injury or loss, or witnessing horrific events. These experiences can lead to significant stress reactions that are not typically triggered by everyday stressors or minor annoyances. The nature of critical incidents often exceeds what an individual might encounter in routine activities or in their daily lives, thus prompting a more acute psychological response. Understanding this distinction is essential for proper identification and management of stress reactions in individuals who have experienced such trauma.