New Member - DV worker

[RonnieM]

Hi all,

Member of Qld Police 1983-2017. Now a Support Worker for people affected by Domestic and Family Violence in the North Burnett Region of Qld (Since March 2017).

Had a brief encounter with PTSD and still have some effect from it. Retired early due to the pressures of Solo Policing in a regional town.

Back on track and happy to chat to anybody in the same boat (Even if we do have separate oars).

Ron

[Croix]

Dear Ron

I'd like to welcome you here to the Forum. I'm afraid it has taken rather a long time for you to get a response -a pity after you went to the trouble of posting for the first time and saying about yourself.

Please rest assured it is nothing to do with you or the content of your post. Unfortunatly the system does not always do what we would like.

I think we may have a little bit in common, I too was a policeman and invalided out of the force with PTSD, depression and anxiety. I too was working in an remoter area and of course, as you would know, it was 365*24/7.

I'm very pleased to hear that your PTSD has improved, even though there are residual effects. Retiring early would have been a wise move, sadly I stayed in until I simply could not go on - not so wise.

I'm a bit surprised you went into the DV support area which can be very taxing. With your experience you would have an excellent understanding of the problems. Can I ask how you manage to switch off and have a life away from work?

Also what have you found most effective in reducing your PTSD to the reasonable level you can deal with now? I'm always on the lookout for other's experiences in this area as although I'm functioning OK, it's like my school reports said "there is room for improvement".

Hope to hear back from you

Croix

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[Sweesoft]

Hi Ron

Can't say I have the same experience as you but I'd like to welcome you here. Don't hesitate to ask or share anything that you want. People here are warm and understanding. Wishing you well, and I hope to see you around!

[smallwolf]

Hi and welcome to the beyond blue forums.

Your experiences would be welcome here I am sure. And it sounds like you have a passion for helping others.

I look forward to seeing you around the forums

[RonnieM]

Hi,

Also somewhat delayed response but work has been somewhat interfering with life.

My organisation has external supervision where we meet with a professional once a month. This is the best release for me and also just accepting that the people I work with are in crisis and not to take any failures as a personal matter. Accept that I am having a positive influence and separating work from life.

I am an Executive member with the local SES, so I am operational but oversee 3 small units, I am a founding member of my local Mens shed and current treasurer. So every Saturday is "Building stuff and Talking stuff day" (A great release). The main thing though is my photography and drone work, this really keeps me grounded and I have lots of gadgets. My 2 border collies keep me sane and my wife whom I have been together with for over 41 years doesn't mollycoddle me and in fact makes me face my issues which I find very good. (Nowhere to hide, as it were).

2 things I did that saved my sanity were 1... Retiring early (with full super access) and 2... Whilst in the Forensic Unit signing up to the Qld Police Services "Early intervention for PTSD' Program. I disregarded al the nay Sayers who told me not to as it would affect my promotional chances and looked out for number 1.

Jinxy

[Croix]

Dear Jinxy~

You certainly have a big battery, being involved in so many demanding roles. I'd hope you find, like I have, that just doing one thing has the same sort of disadvantages as farming mono-culture, highly productive until something goes wrong, then disaster.

Doing 2 or more things allows the mind a rest with each role being less taxing as a result.

Some of the forensic images are with me still, and I guess always will be, sometimes the idea of being able to selectively forget has its attractions (I know this is silly:). As it is my mind did that for me for a while anyway.

You were wise to sign up for that early intervention program. Sadly in my day those nay sayers would have been spot on, there was no such thing as mental health support available (other than drinks with the crew after work) and any whisper of a mental issue did indeed spell the end of career, however things are now an awful lot better even if not perfect.

When I was invalided out (which I guess is a form of retiring early:) PTSD was not even a 'recognized' illness by the medical profession.

I too have a long term marriage, and I'm glad you mentioned yours. My wife and partner is a huge support and gives me the perspective I sometimes lack due to ongoing anxiety. For a marriage to survive PTSD, depression and anxiety is a remarkable thing and speaks volumes of the partner. I guess we are both blessed.

Croix