Is First Responder PTSD Inevitable?
We’ve all seen the statistics. Working as a first responder is hard on your mental health. Levels of trauma, suicide, addiction and more are shown to be higher if you serve the public on the front lines.
So does that make PTSD inevitable for those who serve as firefighters, law enforcement officers, medics, or other first responders?
No, but it does increase the likelihood.
PTSD vs. PTSI
Before I go any further, let’s talk about the acronym. PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is the clinical diagnosis required by anyone working in mental health or other healthcare roles.
But I 100% prefer the acronym that is becoming more popular: PTSI. Post-traumatic stress injury. That little word makes a big difference. If you are suffering from trauma symptoms, you aren’t disordered, you’re injured.
Is It Inevitable?
Now that we have the acronym cleared up, let’s discuss whether it’s an inevitable outcome of the job. I prefer to look at it through the lens of football.
If you are a professional football player, a concussion isn’t inevitable, but it’s more likely. Our chance of getting a concussion is greatly increased when we specialize in crashing into other giant men. It’s simply a matter of ratios. More kabooms, more potential concussions.
For first responders, your trauma ratio is higher. You see more than the Average Joe. Therefore, your chance of injury increases as well.
That’s Not Good News
Well, no. But, when we approach it as part of the job and are attentive to precautions, screening, and appropriate care, things are much more manageable. PTSI and LODDs are both more likely when you do this work, but we tend to be more preventative when it comes to LODD.
What happens when we start to apply the same care and attention to the mental impact of the work? If you feel like PTSI has become a part of your life, it is treatable. Reach out and we can share more about EMDR intensives, which are a fantastic method for helping you recover.
S.
Want to keep learning? Here are some options.
If you are a first responder, healthcare professional, or deathcare professional (or you love someone who is) we have a plethora of mental health resources and trainings for you. Here are some more to explore.