PTSD: Emergency Responders and Military Personnel - Caring for Our Heroes

18th February, 2009 - Posted by L. John Mason -

Law Enforcement Professionals, Fire Fighters, Emergency Medical Responders, Emergency Responder Volunteers, and Veterans of the Military

No matter how strong or well trained, you are susceptible to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.)

People in our society usually have no concept about what happens in the professional life of our emergency response teams or our military personnel returning from duty in war zones. The critical events that these professionals may have to experience include seriously traumatic events and situations that are not easily released by mind, body or spirit. Certain events can trigger a severe PTSD. As a tragic example, which was described to me by my partner, friend, and retired policeman, Rodger Ruge, some of the worst trauma to horrific events happened when he had been called to respond to a gruesome fatal automobile accident where children were involved. Any person, especially a mother or father in police or fire services, will tell you that these experiences are very difficult. The cumulative effect of many traumatic experiences does not usually have the affect of making these people “battle hardened.” I have worked with emergency responders who were not disabled by these experiences until 10 to 20 years later in their careers.

Returning military are often young men and women who have experienced the most stressful situations where there lives were under constant threat for months at a time. They often will withdraw into emotionally trusting only their “buddies” because they sense that no one else can truly understand the circumstances that these soldiers must endure. In the worse case, they may witness a close friend being maimed or killed in action. For people of any age and level of life experience, this can be devastating, but when this happens to young people who are not as strong emotionally as they try to appear, the long term effects can be devastating. The training and support that they receive is never quite enough to keep the emotional scars of war from forming. In working with veterans of World War II and Vietnam, I have seen the protective screen that is pulled down to protect their emotions after participating in the traumatic situations. Often these vets never want to discuss these experiences for fear of bringing up the old “buried” memories. But I have seen that these traumas are not forgotten or resolved. These traumas are like mighty chains that these survivors drag with them through life.

Working with police, fire, and emergency medical responders can be very challenging. They see themselves as “tough,” professional, and often unemotional about their dangerous and emotionally challenging work. These professionals often find comfort with fellow responders. They understand that even their families would not be able to really understand what they must confront. They will often use humor to emotionally survive. Many will “self-medicate” with alcohol (or possibly other drugs/medications) to control anxiety, stress, fear, and anger which may lead to substance abuse. The mental and emotional distractions that past traumatic events create can lead to accidents or mistakes that can further injure these professionals mentally or physically.

Consider also the Emergency Medical staffs that confront physically injured patients on a regular basis. Or the special situations like people who worked to remove the victims’ remains at “Ground Zero” in the ruins of the World Trade Towers after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Or consider the surviving high school students after the fatal shootings on the campus of Columbine High School in Colorado. These are just a few examples of people living with traumatic memories that can invade their minds, bodies, and emotions. It is not unusual for people surviving from PTSD to have difficulties sleeping or concentrating or releasing the memories that haunt them. Anxiety can also manifest with symptoms of chest pain, rapid or irregular heart beats, shortness of breath, hyperventilation, and sometimes overwhelming fear.

Volunteer Emergency Responders can also fall victim to situations that can trigger PTSD. Most emergency volunteers lack the professional support and access to training that would better prepare them for the most emotionally difficult situations. Many volunteers have background and training as emergency responders but not all volunteers have “come up through the ranks.” Please be careful and consierate of our emergency responder volunteers, their possible injuries are not always physical, visible traumas.

Training that prepares first responders and our military for psychologically surviving disturbing or scary events is better than treatment after PTSD has affected them. You would think that with all the investment in training our professional responders or military personnel, that PTSD prevention would be considered insurance against loss or injury due to events that would trigger a PTSD response. Prevention, in the long run, would really pay for this investment and may actually work toward enhancing performance and minimizing injuries.

There are many strategies that can be beneficial for people suffering from PTSD starting with understanding and support as quickly as possible. These individuals often need to be “debriefed” about the trauma and need opportunities to freely vent without outside judgments. Some will require more counseling and professional attention. Sometimes anti-anxiety or anti-depression medications can be helpful. Most can benefit from a program of stress management that leads to controlling their physical responses to fear and anxiety. After learning effective stress management, a process called desensitization can be employed to beat the remaining fear and anxiety. Linking this process with biofeedback can help improve the outcomes and offer the PTSD sufferer a chance to see the connection to “getting back in control” of their body’s response mechanism. Getting people to regain their sense of self-control by learning to control their anxiety responses, can allow them to get back in control of their lives, which are often described by the traumatized person as “spiraling out of control.”

If you know someone who may be suffering from PTSD, reach out and give them as much support and understanding as possible. Lead them to trained professionals and do not assume that time will heal these emotional wounds. Buried traumas can come back to haunt “healthy” people in their future lives. Especially with young children and young adults, take this information very seriously and get them the support that they need.

More information regarding stress management and wellness for emergency responders especially police and fire personnel can be found at http://www.policehealth.us “PoliceHealth.us.” This includes links to organizations that help support first responders suffering from PTSD. At the Stress Education Center’s website, on the “articles” page, there is an article on controlling panic/anxiety that would be a great place to start when considering building a program for controlling PTSD. Trained professionals can assit you in building a program that is tailored for your specific needs and requirements.

Information on PTSD:

ncptsd.va.gov and www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/ptsdmenu.cfm

More info for Vets: vva.org/benefits/ptsd.htm

Information on PTSD: ncptsd.va.gov and www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/ptsdmenu.cfm

More info for Vets: vva.org/benefits/ptsd.htm

Contact the Stress Education Center if you are interested in group trainings or individual professional coaching.

email: wellness@ dstress.com or call (360) 593-3833 for more information.

Please take good care of yourself.

L. John Mason, Ph.D.