ptsd
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; The storm after the storm.
PTSD in Family Life
When I was 24 years old, I decided to make a change in my life that would lead me down a completely different path. I was a single mother of two boys. I was living at home in my parent's house, working two part time jobs just trying to get by. I was wishing for anything that would allow me to provide a good life for my boys. I decided to go back to school, and become an Emergency Medical Technician. My first time through the program I had a hard time focusing; I ended up not making it past my midterm and had to start the program again. I worked harder the second time and managed to pass everything leaving the program with an A, and feeling really good about myself. I managed to land a job right out of school, with a private ambulance company, that handled emergency calls as well as general transport for the hospitals. I loved it. I was making good money in overtime, and was finally able to save up enough money to move out on my own with my boys. A year after I started working in EMS, I met the man I call my husband, he is a paramedic with 14 years in EMS and has seen more things than I could even imagine. We used to work on an ambulance together from time to time, and between the strokes, gun shots, abuse calls, codes, calls for children, and so many more bad calls, we still managed to make it through the shift. EMS isn't for the faint of heart, you have to control your own emotions for the people you are trying to help. There are those calls in EMS that will forever stick with you. The faces of those that you just couldn't save, that you just couldn't help, that you wish you could of done more for. Almost every EMT and paramedic in the field, no matter what town, state, or country they are in, suffers from some type of PTSD. Trying to manage a home life with a spouse and children while dealing with the effects of PTSD is a challenge within itself. Most EMS providers won't even admit that they have PTSD, or they will say they have it under control. I would know, my husband suffers from PTSD every day, and still tells me he doesn't have it. I have been woken up in the middle of the night to him screaming from having a nightmare of a call that still haunts him, or from him screaming a patient's name repeatedly and telling them in his sleep to stay with him. There are days you can see in his face that something has him looking back in those memories, those memories that could be triggered from anything as simple as something that is being said to something that was just seen on TV. Even on medication the effects of PTSD can still be seen in many EMS providers; effect such as burn out, distancing themselves, and sometimes even aggression towards the people around them. PTSD isn't something that should be taken likely, it should be addressed, and those suffering from it should seek help. Friends and family members of all EMS providers should be made aware of the signs and symptoms of PTSD, and should offer a safe place for EMS providers that may be suffering from PTSD.
By Wendi Simpson7 years ago in Psyche
Dealing with Trauma
Affecting people in numerous ways, a traumatic event can highlight all mental flaws that might have been easing into your life and leave you incapacitated. It packs you full of emotions, so your normal is an extreme. Maybe you'll end up sleeping ten to 12 hours per night, still feeling drained in need of multiple cups of caffeine just to not crumble, and/or you begin sleeping so little, unable to calm into sleep until into the next day.
By 'Toto' (Aleksina Teto)7 years ago in Psyche
Trauma Part One
Diagnosis I was diagnosed with PTSD today. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I went to see a licensed psychologist after searching on Google and speaking to my former therapist because I knew I was dealing with something other than just anxiety and depression. I’ve dealt with anxiety and depression since age 13. I called a behavioral healthcare clinic and asked specifically to be evaluated because the treatments and interventions for PTSD are different and I felt I needed something more than psychotherapy.
By Hecate Jones7 years ago in Psyche
What Is CPTSD?
CPTSD is a severe form of PTSD, which is not easy to deal with. CPTSD comes from long-term exposure to harsh situations, behavior, and abuse. It is a response to real trauma. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very real mental illness that many war veterans get when they reintegrate into civilian life, besides what abuse victims get. PTSD is a mental health problem people get from seeing intense trauma that never ends. My childhood felt like this, pain that never ended, a pain I still remember. This is why I have CPTSD because I have had to suffer real trauma from family members.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in Psyche
3 Lies About PTSD
1. You will be stigmatized. People will assume you have been to war, or you were involved in such a horrendous attack that you can’t possibly function as a human being. While this IS true and valid, this may not be the case for everyone. Some individuals living with PTSD may have been assaulted sexually or physically, or may have been mentally or physically abused, or have faced a mass shooting, as is unfortunately becoming so prevalent as of lately. Any diagnosis of PTSD is valid. One seemingly “greater” traumatic experience does not invalidate the way your brain processes the traumatic experience you have faced. Do not believe the lie that because what you faced “was not as bad” as someone else, that your experience cannot warrant you a survivor. It’s ok to have the feelings you have. You never have to answer to another person. Every person is different. There are no two people exactly identical, and the same can be said for the experiences people go through in their lifetime.
By River Garman7 years ago in Psyche
In My Eyes with PTSD
I am walking down the road, and there are a lot of cars about. I want to cross over, but my body shakes and my feet do not move. I stand by the road as everything from the car crash, the sounds of an ambulance, fire brigade, police go through my head. Visions form of the one I love laying in the front seat not moving, and then I hear the echo's from my past, me screaming and then being told "We are so sorry for your loss.'" Suddenly it stops, and I am back in my own reality, I am disoriented, shaking, distressed and sweating. People ask me what is wrong with me, and I cannot tell them, because that means "lifting the mask" and they will see what is beneath it.
By Carol Ann Townend7 years ago in Psyche
Relationships and PTSD
When you start a relationship, you need to remember to take things slow. When dating, you have to take things slow in order to make things work out right. Being in a relationship with someone means you get to spend time with each other, go on dates, be there for each other, and most importantly say I love you whenever you can. Being in a relationship is not always about sex but about sharing a bond that two people who are meant to be together can share.
By Carrie Booth8 years ago in Psyche
Waiting for the Sun to Rise
Watching my best friend at the time getting hit and killed by a drunk driver changed my life forever. Many many years later, I learned to accept it and to change that incident into a positive one but before I had learned to do that, it took over my life in a very negative, self destructive way, to the point of attempting to take my life many times. This is the story of when I felt truly hopeless.
By Alberto Delaney8 years ago in Psyche
No One To Save Me - Part 5
No One to Save Me Part 5 There was a remote area our father used to take us; a river under the San Jacinto bridge off hwy 59 towards New Caney. We rarely saw anyone else there. At night it was a haven for the homeless and there were a couple of large barrels used for making a fire. The river flowed swiftly and the drop off was steep. It really was dangerous for anyone to go swimming. A railroad track ran nearby. It is important to note that Walter frequented this spot, considering his pathological behavior.
By Jennifer Reinolds8 years ago in Psyche
