More than just first responders and military suffer traumatic events. If you or someone you know is navigating PTSD or PTSI, this knowledge could be helpful.
PTSI or PTSD
Though the general public just calls it PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury) was added as a term to differentiate between two types. While the D officially refers to mental health diagnoses, the I medically refers to biological symptoms such as an overactive sympathetic nervous system.
Many patients prefer the term PTSI to reduce the stigma associated with PTSD. Whichever way you call it, post-traumatic stress affects responders in countless ways and educating the community is the best start to helping.
To keep things simpler, we’ll just say PTSD for this article and lump them together. Whether you’re navigating PTSD physically or mentally, your whole health matters, so read on.
Stats
Here are some quick stats for PTSD:
- 8.6 million US adults have PTSD in a given year
- 70% of adults in the United States experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime
- 20% of these people develop PTSD
- 1 in 13 US adults will develop some form of PTSD in their lifetime
- Women are two times as likely as men to develop PTSD
- 16% of emergency physicians meet criteria for PTSD
- 5% of adolescents experience PTSD
- 36% of PTSD cases are severe
There’s many more, but that should be enough to move you learn more and want to do something.
Diagnosing
The first step in navigating PTSD is recognizing the signs and symptoms and choosing to seek help. While PTSI may not be medically recognized as a diagnosis in the ICD system, diagnosis options can include anxiety disorder or PTSD in order to help coverage of treatment.
Symptoms to tell your doctor may include but are not limited to: intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, avoidance of trauma-related places or events, changes in mood, or hypervigilance. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, so be honest and forthcoming with your doctor, peer support, therapist, coach, or whomever is listening. Most importantly, be honest with yourself. Treatment works better the sooner it’s started.
When PTSD or PTSI is not diagnosed, symptoms increase and you could be just coping to get by. When coping becomes your new normal, you’re more likely to brush things off and feel you can handle it when in fact you should be seeking help for a better quality of life. Untreated PTSD can lead to health complications (especially cardiac), anger, social isolation, depression, and even suicide.
Don’t let it go untreated. Talk to someone about how you’re feeling right away.
Navigating PTSD
If you’re worried about losing relationships or your job by speaking up, know that help and treatment can be fully confidential. Some treatment options don’t need retreat centers and you can continue your daily life while navigating PTSD.
Medication
Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are common treatment options for PTSD, but not required. If your doctor or psychiatrist prescribes anything, be sure to take as directed and give it enough time to work. Medication can affect people differently and interact with other medications or supplements. Tell your provider right away of any side effects or changes.
Self Care
First responders are servants, but a servant needs a certain amount of self care to do their job best. Knowing your triggers, being self-aware, checking in often, and taking time for yourself routinely helps you to be your best when it’s time to serve others’ needs.
Therapy
There’s many types of therapy available. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be beneficial for those navigating PTSD. This is a type of talk therapy that helps identify behaviors, isolate thought patterns, and examine how you think about the traumatic event so you can process the trauma differently.
Exposure Therapy brings you through the trauma in a controlled manner so you can gradually desensitize and learn to cope with the memory or event. Virtual reality programs are often used for this type of therapy. Another method might be physically going to a location that draws up anxiety.
EMDR
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another form of treatment that involves how your eyes move when thinking about the trauma. This treatment draws heavily from your memory as your eye movements are tracked and doesn’t require as much talking.
Coaching
When your symptoms are not severe, coaching provides assistance in navigating PTSD. With your coach, you can determine where you stand now, how you want to proceed, and who or what avenues are additionally available to assist you best.
Peer Support
Peer or even community support should be constant. Don’t block yourself out from those around you, but allow others to check on you. Peer Support systems are in place to help you when navigating PTSD. They have trained personnel who understand your job and its nuances. If your specific department doesn’t have a peer support system, reach out to places like First Responders Foundation or Responder Life. A quick online search could lead to peer support in your area you didn’t know existed.
Healing from PTSD & PTSI
You are not a burden. You are valued and loved and an important part of your family and community. Someone in your life cares, so be honest with yourself and others. Speak up and start the healing process. Navigating PTSD and PTSI doesn’t have to be done alone. Reach out right away.
[As always, if you or someone you know is at risk for suicide, call or text the National Suicide Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away. Someone is always there for you.]