A critical incident is an event that is disturbing, sudden, and unexpected that causes us arousal, avoidance, and re-experiencing.
Critical stress is a common reaction, in normal persons, to unusual situations.
Stressors stretch your coping mechanisms. Devastating events can overwhelm normal coping strategies and lead to unhealthy or destructive behaviors. Stress reaction may be immediate, delayed, or cumulative. Monitor changes in your reactions. These reactions can also help you notice reactions of people that you care about.