Operational Stress, Burnout or PTSD? Understanding the Difference

What is operational stress?

For military members, operational stress can develop in response to the demands and conditions of military service. These may include demanding schedules, disrupted sleep, separation from family during deployments, difficult living conditions or repeated exposure to danger, loss and other stressful events.

Stress reactions can affect your emotions, thoughts, behavior and physical well being. You may notice increased irritability, fatigue, trouble concentrating, difficulty sleeping or feeling disconnected from others. These can be expected responses to challenging circumstances. They do not automatically mean you have a mental health disorder. The Department of Defense notes that operational stress reactions can occur in both combat and noncombat settings.

Your nervous system includes a sympathetic branch that increases arousal and a parasympathetic branch that helps your body settle. During periods of operational stress, it may be harder to shift out of a heightened state or recover after stressful experiences.

Some service members experience anxiety, difficulty with attention or concentration, memory problems, burnout, grief or anger. You do not have to navigate these experiences alone. Krueger Wellness is here to provide evidence based therapy to help you manage the effects of stressful, high demand work.

Examples of Operational Stressors

• Difficult living and working environments, including isolation, extreme climates or sensory stressors
• Experiencing or witnessing harassment, bullying or other work related conflict
• High workloads, long work hours and demanding tasks
• Repeated exposure to trauma, danger and loss
• Work conditions that disrupt sleep
• Stressful events involving loved ones or friends

What is burnout?

Although burnout is not classified as a medical condition, it is associated with chronic work stress that has not been successfully managed. It can involve exhaustion, increased distance or negativity toward work and reduced feelings of professional effectiveness.

Burnout may affect how you feel about your responsibilities and your ability to keep up with work. It can also occur alongside other concerns, so recognizing burnout does not rule out anxiety, depression or another mental health condition.

What is PTSD?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can affect people who have served in combat as well as people who have experienced trauma in other circumstances. Military members who have experienced combat, EMS personnel and other first responders who have responded to traumatic calls may develop PTSD.

If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, you may notice unwanted memories or dreams, avoid reminders of the event, experience changes in mood or beliefs or feel unusually alert or easily startled. Our mental health professionals consider the type of trauma, the pattern and duration of symptoms and how they affect daily life. To meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, symptoms must last longer than one month and cause significant distress or problems with functioning.