Individuals experience high levels of stress during times of war, disaster, or crisis. When there is an emergency, people can be affected physically and psychologically. They may feel fearful, anxious, or depressed. In such situations, they need to depend on others for emotional support.
It's hard to judge whether someone's offering genuine care or simply going through the motions. This article explains how individuals assess the reliability and authenticity of emotional support under extreme operational stress.
When individuals face extreme stress, they often seek out emotional support from family members, friends, coworkers, and strangers. It is important to evaluate if these sources are reliable before accepting their help. Here are four ways that individuals can determine if emotional support is genuine:
1) Watch body language - During times of crisis, look out for physical cues like eye contact, facial expressions, and posture. If someone looks you in the eyes when speaking or leans toward you, it shows they're engaged. If they avoid looking at you or appear distracted, it suggests they don't care as much. Similarly, watch for changes in facial expression; frowning indicates concern while smiling suggests indifference.
2) Observe tone of voice - Pay attention to vocal qualities like volume, pitch, and speed. A warm, soothing tone conveys empathy, while a cold, sharp one signals disinterest. Listen carefully for words like "I understand" or "let me know if I can do anything." These phrases indicate someone wants to help without being asked.
3) Ask follow-up questions - To test someone's sincerity, ask specific questions about your situation. They should show interest by asking more questions or providing solutions.
"How can I best comfort you?" or "What else do you need right now?"
4) Trust your gut instinct - The final way to gauge someone's authenticity is through intuition. If something feels off, listen to your inner voice. Trusting your instinct may be difficult but often proves accurate.
Consider the person's behavior over time. Look for consistency in how they respond to stressors. People who always offer help during tough moments are likely reliable sources of support. Those who only provide emotional support in emergencies may not be dependable long term. Remember, everyone deals with stress differently, so accept that some people may struggle to express themselves. Be patient and open-minded when assessing their reliability.
Remember that seeking out emotional support isn't weakness. It shows strength and vulnerability. Reach out for assistance when needed and trust those who genuinely want to help.
How do individuals assess the reliability and authenticity of emotional support under extreme operational stress?
Individuals' ability to assess reliability and authenticity of emotional support may be impaired when they experience extreme levels of stress due to various factors such as physical exhaustion, information overload, social isolation, high cognitive demands, intense feelings of anxiety or fear, sensory deprivation, and disorienting effects of fatigue (e. g. , reduced attention span, perceptual distortions).