Which symptom is most indicative of excessive stress in firefighters?

• A. Sleep disturbances
• B. Irritability
• C. Normal appetite
• D. Unchanged mood

Answer: (A)

Sleep disruption is a direct manifestation of excessive stress. When stress levels are high, the body's arousal systems stay more active, making it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or causing nightmares—issues that are especially common for firefighters with irregular shifts and exposure to traumatic events. These sleep problems tend to be a sensitive and early indicator of elevated stress, reflecting a physiological response to ongoing strain. Irritability can occur but is less specific and can come from many factors; a normal appetite and unchanged mood suggest stress isn’t at a high level. For these reasons, sleep disturbances are the best signal that a firefighter is experiencing excessive stress.