The most difficult thing for most first responders to accept is the reality of living with posttraumatic stress disorder (Gilmartin, K. M., 2002). The traumatic event and the disorder change the way they see the world. The world changes from the way they saw it before the event to a dangerous, unpredictable, and threatening place (Gilmartin, K. M., 2002). The one thing first responders need to do in order to renew their corrupted mentality of the planet, is to be removed from their world and work life from time to time (Shin, L. M., 2009). Living love, selflessly giving, and serving others truly does heal the spirit and are extremely powerful in overcoming depression, isolation, emotional pain, and self-destructive tendencies (Shin, L. M., 2009). Most first responders were inspired to be first responders because of the desire to help others, to make a positive difference in people’s lives. As the acute stress and emotional trauma of the job increases over the years, the first responder’s motivation to serve is often the first to suffer when diagnosed with posttraumatic stress …show more content…
This is a common perception, but unless first responders are not human, in which they are, there are experiences that will trouble them and they are not invincible. It is essential for emergency personnel and first responders to step back from the image of being superman or superwoman and realize that they are human just like everyone else (Willis, 2014). Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and all other emergency medical technicians are just as vulnerable and just as susceptible, if not more so, to pain, suffering, and emotional trauma (Willis, 2014). No one is capable of doing any first responder job without it potentially changing them and making a significant impact on their emotional wellness and
Hunt, N.C. and McHale, S. (2010) Understanding Post Traumatic Stress. London: Sheldon Press, pp. 13-25.
Everyday there are hundreds of ambulances, fire engines and police cars being called to the scene of emergencies. I’m sure you hear the roar of their sirens, but you don’t think twice about them and are able to tune them out. The only time most people even think about the sirens is if they are forced to wait at a light or move over to the right shoulder and let them pass. When you look back and think about those sirens, where do you suppose they are going? Most people probably think that they are going to a car accident with entrapment, or a person with crushing chest pain to try and intervene and get them to the hospital.
Growing up, I was never really sure what career would fit best for me. I didn’t know which direction I was going to take and I always ended up pushing it aside because truly, it scared me. Coming into high school, I ended up with multiple injuries – I sprained my left ankle twice and my right ankle once; I also ended up spraining my elbow. This all happened through cheerleading and lacrosse. I was continually going to the hospital and started to realize what my passion was – being in the medical field. My passion for being in the medical field grew even more when my brother married his girlfriend, Yuko. She happened to be a nurse, as well as my other brother who worked as a physical therapist. Though I didn’t know what field I necessarily wanted to go into, and I still am a little conflicted, I knew my heart was in the medical field. One that I’ve specifically looked into recently has been emergency room nurses.
...., Ompad, D. C., Menke, A., Tynes, L. L., & Muntner, P. (2007). Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in a New Orleans workforce following Hurricane Katrina. Journal of Urban Health, 84(2), 142-152.
Schiraldi, G. R. (2009). The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook: A guide to healing, recovery, and growth. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a devastating anxiety disorder that affects many active military personnel and veterans. In many cases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) goes untreated often due to the individual not realizing that they are being affected by the disorder, or by the individual having previous failed attempts at treatment. Even though PTSD is now being recognized as a disorder that affects many soldiers, the disorder's effect on family is not as widely recognized. The spouses and children of individuals with PTSD often experience similar negative symptoms of the disorder; this is referred to as secondary traumatization or compassion fatigue. Many families of active military personnel and veterans suffering from PTSD appear to have secondary traumatization, as they experience similar symptoms and feelings of loneliness, which leads to them feeling as though they are also suffering from the disorder.
Hurricane Katrina left a devastating scar on the citizens of the southern coast of the U.S., especially New Orleans, Louisiana. The category 5 hurricane was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the most deadly. Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29th, 2005 and after that day, 66,000 people were displaced from their homes. Of those who decided to ride out the storm with hopes of success and survival as they had experienced with other storms, they were found on their rooftops, in their attics, hoping for boat or helicopter rescue, relying on others for help to survive. The storm had reached 28,000 square feet inward to Louisiana, which was 60 percent of the state. 1,100 Louisianans lost their lives, and 200,000 were displaced and/or lost their homes (Davis 8). It was a devastating time of despair and suffering. People were put through experiences that would scar them for a long time. While preparing for evacuation, people left most of their belongings at home to flee to a safer city or to find shelter in the Superdome and Convention Center. Some even decided to remain in their boarded up homes. After the hurricane had past, a few hours went by and a levee located near the Mississippi River canal broke leaving New Orleans flooded (Delisi). After the disaster, the state and federal governments were pointing fingers at each other as to who was to blame for the poorly planned evacuation and rescue efforts for the victims. The state government promised to help evacuate those who could not transport themselves. Citizens were told to go to the Superdome and convention center for evacuation, but the supplies needed for survi...
Judith Herman, from Trauma and Recovery, said “Traumatic events are extraordinary, not because they occur rarely, but rather because they overwhelm the ordinary human adaptations to life” (John A. Rich, Theodore Corbin, & Sandra Bloom, 2008. Trauma does not involve the same experiences for everyone; each individual is unique in that they, and only they, can decide what is traumatic for them. Before discussing what positive things can come from suffering a traumatic experience, one must first understand that negative things can arise as well. Trauma “shatters people’s basic assumptions about themselves and the world they live in”. Three basic assumptions are challenged by trauma: (1) the belief in personal invulnerability; (2) the perception of the world as meaningful and comprehensible; and (3) the view of ourselves in a positive light” (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, p. 67)....
Hundreds of thousands of United States veterans are not able to leave the horrors of war on the battlefield (“Forever at War: Veterans Everyday Battles with PTSD” 1). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the reason why these courageous military service members cannot live a normal life when they are discharged. One out of every five military service members on combat tours—about 300,000 so far—return home with symptoms of PTSD or major depression. According to the Rand Study, almost half of these cases go untreated because of the disgrace that the military and civil society attach to mental disorders (McGirk 1). The general population of the world has to admit that they have had a nightmare before. Imagine not being able to sleep one wink because every time you close your eyes you are forced to relive memories from the past that you are trying to bury deep. This is what happens to the unfortunate men and women who are struggling with PTSD. Veterans that are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder deserve the help they need.
Isabel says, “If Dr. Nelson is right and he’s suffering from delayed shock surely new surroundings and new interests will cure him, and when he’s got his balance again he’ll come back to Chicago and go into business like everybody else” (48-49). Isabel’s statement though lacks understanding of what kinds of treatments are beneficial for treating PTSD. New surroundings and new interests won’t help treat PTSD because people who suffer from PTSD “tend to avoid places, people, or other things that remind them of the event” (Edwards). In order to understand what helps treat PTSD, we must come to understand that PTSD can never be fully cured. According to ptsd.about.com, “Treatments for PTSD will never take away the fact that a traumatic event occurred. Treatments for PTSD cannot erase your memory of those events,” (Tull) and, “That said, it is important to remember that symptoms of PTSD can come back again” (Tull). Even though it cannot be cured, it can be treated effectively with treatment. According to mayoclinc.org, “The primary treatment is psychotherapy, but often includes medication” (None). With the help of psychotherapy and medication, people who suffer from PTSD can begin to regain their life from anxiety and
The culture of first responders such as: Combat Veterans, police officers, EMTs, Firemen, and Emergency Room staff are unique from other occupations. The reason is the magnitude first responders are
Within the United Kingdom there are two categories that are often involved in major incidents. Category one responders are the emergency services which are also known as the ‘core responders’; category one responders consist of the Police, Fire and Ambulance and other emergency services. These responder’s main priority is to deal with the immediate consequence of the incident; they are there for short term as category two help support and repair the community and environment in long term. The category two responders for major incidents are known as ‘supporting responders’, they often support with long term assistance as they provide utilities such as electricity and gas distributers, water and sewage providers as well as telephone services
Every year communities struggle each year around the nation with issues of life safety. In 2012, the nation’s fire departments responded to 31,854,000 responses that resulted in the deaths 0f 2,855 civilians and injuring 16,500 causing an estimated $12,427 million dollars in damage. (United States Fire Administration, 2014) These incidents put at risk 345,950 career and 783,300 volunteer firefighters that resulted in the deaths of 81 individuals (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2013) and nearly 70,000 reported injuries. ( Karter & Molis, 2013) These numbers represent incidents that are determined to be in the line of duty but do not take into consideration the long-term health risk issues that may develop. Evidence shows that he hazards associated with Fire and Emergency Services are consistent across the board whether paid or volunteer and jeopardize the lives and health of each individual, placing administrative and physical control measures reduces this risk to firefighter within an organization. While it is impossible to eliminate the hazards firefighters face, it is important to identify these hazards as the first step in reducing the potential for loss of life and wellbeing both physically and mentally.
The most important job of a first responder is to help the victims of the attack. Before first responders can help the victims, it needs to be determined if the scene is safe to enter. Part of scene safety is identifying if a WMD was used in the attack. A WMD can contain biological, chemical, or radiological agents (Federal Emergency Management Agency Manual. 2002) that can cause a wide range of effects. Unfortunately, first responders are often unequipped with the proper personal protective equipment that is required to safely work in an area where a WMD was used. Without the proper personal protective equipment, first responders can fall victim to the effects of the agent used. First responders are also at risk of being victims of a secondary device or attack directed at first responders and other citizens who gather that the scene
The American athlete’s adage, ‘no pain, no gain’ is applicable to the concept of PTG. In traumatic experiences, pain and suffering are not sought, but the wisdom and growth that can arise out of the suffering is good and can be desirous. The result is a person who has grown and is better (more mature, wiser, stronger, and more benevolent, etc.) for having had the struggle. Hence, PTG occurs when the traumatized individual struggles, re-evaluates previously held worldviews, adapts those worldviews and interpretations, and creates new worldviews that are healthy and helpful for the individual’s