Is it normal to stay calm even under a lot of stress?

Question

I am vary mild and laid back even in high stress situations. The people around me will all be panicking and stressing out yelling and so on. Then they get upset at me because I’m calm. Believing I don’t care or something, blowing them off exc. When I’m fully aware of what’s going on. Is this normal? How can I make them understand that anger isn’t going to help them? Also do I need help? Should I be yelling as much as they are?

Answer 1

I have that more often than not too.  I don't think it's more normal to let stress start to freak you out.  But if you have the ability to realize panic does not help the situation - use it!  Tell them you just don't beleive in panic and this is just how you are.  More likely than not they will still think you don't care, but if you should you can come out of the situ victoriously or in good standing than someone who doesn't care - that should help convince them!

Answer 2

I don't know if it's normal, but I'm the same way.  It seems like in an emergency or serious situation, I go into a very calm state of mind and function well.  Afterwards, though, I look back and wonder where the calm came from.  It's probably a survival mechanism, since I have noticed it most when calmness has helped me cope with an extreme situation, such as in the first few minutes after a huge earthquake, or the night I woke up and looked out my bedroom window to see my neighbor's house engulfed in flames.  It's nice to have it as a trait!

Answer 3

Don't worry about it. It makes less at risk for getting a stress related stroke or having stress related heart attacks.

Calmness usually = clear headed and problem solving abilities.

Answer 4

It's not necessarily NORMAL but it is ideal.  You will have far less stress related health issues.   Stress is one of the leading causes of heart disease.   It also means that you will be able to make smart decisions (by keeping a cool head) during times of stress.  

You probably can't make them understand.  They are reacting to stress in a very visceral way and some of that reaction is just being directed toward you simply because you are there.   It's a product of their reaction to the stress.   Just try and realize that you are having a more constructive reaction and that the anger being directed at you is not really because of you, it's because of the stress on the other people.

You don't need help.  You wouldn't want to fix something that isn't broken.  You should be doing things just as you are.

Answer 5

It isn't really normal.

It is, however, preferred.

You may have an edge of 'situational denial,' but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Of course, you want to handle serious, stressful situations with a level head, but you also don't want to be handling the situation while denying its seriousness.

Personally, I feel that the detached, level head is superior to an overwhelmed, panicky one, but the is a balance that is best.

Still, it's better to err on the side of sanity.

Answer 6

I am a very calm person under stress.  People like you and I make good emergency workers such as policemen, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, etc. because of the fact we keep our cool under stress.

Answer 7

I wouldn't think so. Different people have different reactions to the same situations. Some people are naturally calmer than others in high stress situations.

Answer 8

Yes, if this is how you deflect stress, then this is normal behavior for you.  It is normal behavior for many, including myself.  Hysteria creates faulty problem solving decisions, which can strongly influence the result.  Anger is really a waste of energy, produced by an assault to that persons weak sense of self esteem.  However, I hope you aren't using you ability to stay calm as a factor to increase you self esteem.