PTSD for Medical and First Responders

[A_Tech]

Hi,

Well obviously this my situation.

I was hoping to find others here that might have a similar background to chat with, it can be so hard to talk about this stuff with non-med people (and I mean no disrespect, it's just often graffic or upsetting to others).

Im a 40 year old female that has spent the last 10years in the State Trauma Hospital as an Anaesthetic Technician. My PTSD was brought about after years of exposure to shocking traumas, deaths, and no support from management.

I would love to hear from anyone that has a similar story, or just wants to chat.

Cheers ✌️

[Ambo_Calltaker]

Hi Team,

A 'newby' to this forum, and I feel a little out of place here, as I don't attend the 'scene' as a first responder, but I listen to it. Been doing it for about 9years now in NSW Ambulance, and starting to feel it is catching up with me. The problem I have is layered. It is the accumulation effect of all of the jobs. In addition to the volume of calls that come in, as well as, the way ambulance has restructured; and primarily all non-emergency calls have been diverted to other agencies, such as non emergency patient transport and health direct. Hence, we virtually only get 000 emergency trauma calls, all of the time, all shift, every shift.

Its different from 'seeing' the trauma, but during the call, I am 'in the scene' as it is unfolding. Some stuff you can't 'un-hear'. We are required to get help to the right location and advise the right actions at the right times, in seconds. Call after call. We can take 200 calls per 12 hr shift. 4shifts a 9-day week for years.

There is help available EAP and other assets, but many are reluctant to access as they are concerned it will be noted and may affect their promotion chances. I know of a paramedic who accidentally revealed that he accessed EAP only once to a new health insurer after a rough job, the health insurance company earmarked him as a risk, refused to insure him without clearance from a psychiatrist, and put a 200% levy on his premium, it now follows him with every insurer. The risks are real.

I have a counsellor that helps me, as does my GP. I am concerned I'm burning out though, previous systems, CBT, mindfulness, meds, seem to get overidden by the big jobs that stay with me. I'm trying but its hard.

Thanks for listening gang, I'll put this out there, see what people think.

Take care of yourselves.

[Kid_in_denial]

Welcome. You are definitely a first responder. I think your imagination can also take you anywhere, so hearing is just as traumatic as seeing. Also, you would be on high alert and in high demand. Nice of you to join us. Look forward to hearing more.

S

[Guest_128]

Hey,

Thankyou for posting,it would of been extremely difficult for you.

Sounds like you have a heart of gold or at least a soul.

You know what, I recon it would be even harder for you,cause you can't see and don't often know the full story or what the outcome was.

The major problem with this whole world is it is getting harder and harder for people to be human.

So what I am trying to say is, try to eliminate any stress you can.

Talk to your work friends,

Don't ever forget how important you are.

Right, what's ya hobbies?

Dory

[Garry70]

Hey, I am with the SES and I did Rescue out on the roads for 15 years so I know what it's like to be on the front line at scenes. I got to see what you were being told over the phone when someone rings 000. What people don't realise is how road trauma affects people like us when we are called. Some jobs you can walk away from with no worries at all but you will always get that one job where you walk away from with a heavy heart and teary eyes.

I do get people tell me if it's so hard doing what I do, why do it. It takes a special kind of person to do what we do and see. We don't do our jobs for the glory or the praise. We do it cause we care about what we do to save lives.

[Ulysses]

Hey there. I’m about the same demographics and first responder on the medical side. What amazes me is that I’ve been in the field for nearly twenty years, seen some unbelievable things but only even to one (and a lousy one) debriefing. Never realised I had ptsd until a couple of crying sessions this year.

[SusieBabe63]

Hi 1st time for me, my boyfriend has ptsd in a bad way & he is under alot of pressure as they want to do a tramatic procedure & he is in fear. The docs do not know about me but I suppose im more of a support person. Can he stop this or what r his rights . He is high risk as he was in the army. Can anyone help me with some advice please

[Bethie]

Susie

Talk to him about if he's comfortable. The forces are allways clarified high risk due to training. As his partner you know him better than probably anyone.

I'm lucky dispite my husband having chronic PTSD the first resonders seek my advice about how to deal with him. Once he's safely at hospital they often make a few minutes to talk to me. I think it helps us all.

The men and women who face the calls are truly amazing and can also give first hand ideas that may help based on experience.

It's been over a month now since my son had to make the call for help and by the grace of God I took the police and ambulance ideas. Not to exaggeate but without them I probably would have had him committed.

[SusieBabe63]

I thank you so much. He has pushed me away as he has said that it is saver as he doesnt want me to go thru this. Sadly he lost his wife & children, killed & he was honorably discharged. He has said that he hasnt even told his family. I have only know him for 12 months & love him to bits. I just want to help him. He has also said that there are no visitors where he goes. I have since found out that this is not true as he probably doesnt want me to see him like that. What can I do if he doesnt want me back. I love him dearly, & yes I know whats involved. I appreciate any advice what so ever. thank you

[Bethie]

Hi Susie

What i did was tell my parter that I knew he loves me so much he could never hert me and I knew if things where reversed he wouldn' give up on me.

Depending on what he goes through like nightmares or flashbacks just be careful. Don't be afraid to call for help. I know a few times my partner got flashbacks so bad it was like he was in 2 worlds at once thinking at times I was a friend who recently passed who he served with.

If you want let him know you've made contact with other women going through the same thing. I'm lucky to a degree I have security clearance due to family so he feels safe talking to me.

Things can improve. Anti anxety meds are great. Untill August I had no idea that my partner had even seen active service dispite being together 17 years. Luckly now he's back on small doses of the green Byron Bay is known for. Combined with meds it works where everything else has failed that was tried. Having a son on base more often than not at Ennogra I'm hearing stories from families constantly. It's kinda nice to know it's possible to lead a normal life again.

[Beetle]

Hi A Tech

Thanks for starting this threat. Its hard to find people to talk about this stuff.

I am in the same boat as you. I am a first responder and have seen awful sights, people dyeing in my arms. I don't know how many codes I have run, but some you never forget. I still have them in my mind.Peoples faces when they die, often their faces are not peaceful and its more zombie like than anything.

My coping mechanism was alcohol (a lot) for a while.the hart stuff. Rum. wodka. Got over that. Exercise excessively . got over that too. short period of cutting. got over that too. Never touched the hard stuff either as I see daily what it does to your system. nowadays I am sort of stable with a glass of wine or two. HOWEVER there are exceptions. For example yesterday:

Yesterday I was the one being coded having a reaction to anaesthetic. Very very scary if you are the one being coded. I felt and still feel very vulnerable today and teary. I feel mu control mechanisms were stripped away during the code and somehow I didn't get them back yet.

Sorry for going off topic about my own stuff. I do feel first responders are left alone and there is no real counselling or debriefing. Its like " suck it up princess". that's it. ...

Beetle

Today I