PSD Dispatcher Wellness and Stress Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which physical symptom is MOST commonly associated with cumulative stress in dispatchers over time?
- Improved night vision
- Chronic headaches and muscle tension (Correct answer)
- Increased appetite and weight loss
- Heightened sense of smell
Correct answer: Chronic headaches and muscle tension
Cumulative stress frequently manifests as chronic headaches, neck tension, and muscle pain due to prolonged physiological arousal.
Question 2: A dispatcher who begins calling in sick frequently, withdraws from coworkers, and shows declining performance is most likely exhibiting signs of:
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Burnout (Correct answer)
- Malingering
- Hyper-vigilance syndrome
Correct answer: Burnout
These behavioral changes—absenteeism, isolation, and performance decline—are classic indicators of dispatcher burnout.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes 'secondary traumatic stress' as experienced by dispatchers?
- Stress caused by shift work schedules
- Trauma symptoms resulting from indirect exposure to others' traumatic events (Correct answer)
- Physical injury sustained on the job
- Stress from handling secondary (non-priority) calls
Correct answer: Trauma symptoms resulting from indirect exposure to others' traumatic events
Secondary traumatic stress arises from repeated indirect exposure to callers' trauma, producing PTSD-like symptoms in the dispatcher.
Question 4: When a dispatcher experiences intrusive thoughts about a child fatality call days after the incident, the FIRST recommended action is to:
- Ignore the thoughts until they pass on their own
- Increase caffeine intake to stay focused on work
- Seek support through peer support, EAP, or a mental health professional (Correct answer)
- Request a transfer to a different unit
Correct answer: Seek support through peer support, EAP, or a mental health professional
Early intervention through peer support or professional counseling helps prevent acute stress from progressing to PTSD.
Question 5: Which coping strategy is considered MALADAPTIVE for long-term dispatcher wellness?
- Regular aerobic exercise
- Using alcohol to 'decompress' after shifts (Correct answer)
- Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
- Practicing diaphragmatic breathing
Correct answer: Using alcohol to 'decompress' after shifts
Alcohol use as a coping mechanism is maladaptive and increases risk of dependency and worsening mental health over time.
Question 6: An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) typically provides dispatchers with:
- Overtime pay for hazardous duty
- Confidential short-term counseling and mental health referrals (Correct answer)
- Guaranteed promotion after completing wellness modules
- Workers' compensation claims processing
Correct answer: Confidential short-term counseling and mental health referrals
EAPs offer confidential, short-term counseling and referrals to address personal and work-related mental health concerns.
Question 7: Which technique involves deliberately focusing on the present moment to reduce anxiety without judgment, and is increasingly recommended in first responder wellness programs?
- Systematic desensitization
- Mindfulness meditation (Correct answer)
- Exposure therapy
- Rational emotive behavior therapy
Correct answer: Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness meditation trains practitioners to observe thoughts and sensations without judgment, reducing stress reactivity.
PSD Dispatcher Wellness and Stress Management 2
Which physical symptom is MOST commonly associated with cumulative stress in dispatchers over time?