One of the topics touched on in Cyber Creeps is mental wellness, and the impact being a first responder has on a person's psyche. Trauma is different for everyone, and while some people can go through an entire career without adverse effects, many are not so lucky. One of the biggest hurdles in policing is the stigma of mental wellness. We are expected to be "tough", to "suck it up" and be able to deal with the horrors encountered without a visible impact. However, the daily stresses of the job- violence against us, violence against others, and the sheer evil displayed by humanity- take their toll. Because of this accumulation of traumas, and the perception that we must grin and bear it, officers are increasingly dealing with this in the wrong ways. Alcohol is often used to avoid the situation. Violence can occur, both domestically and on the job, and sadly suicide is killing cops at a rate almost three times that of on-duty violence. For any, and all, first responders- it's ok to not be ok! There is no shame in getting help, you are not alone and there are people out there to help. Click on the links below to reach out and find resources so your sacrifices are not diminished and you can continue to be your best self.
An article I wrote for Voice of Police about the difficulties of recurrent traumas in LE
IACP Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER:WHAT IS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER?The person was exposed to: death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence, as follows: (one required)
Direct exposure
Witnessing the trauma
Learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma
Indirect exposure to aversive details of the trauma, usually in the course of professional duties (e.g., first responders, medics)
All of the criteria are required for the diagnosis of PTSD. The following text summarizes the diagnostic criteria:INTRUSION SYMPTOMSThe traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following way (s):
Unwanted upsetting memories
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders
Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminders
AVOIDANCE Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma, in the following way(s):
Trauma-related thoughts or feelings
Trauma-related external reminders
NEGATIVE ALTERATIONS IN COGNITIONS AND MOOD Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
Inability to recall key features of the trauma
Overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world
Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma
Negative affect
Feeling isolated
Difficulty experiencing positive affect
ALTERATIONS IN AROUSAL AND REACTIVITY Trauma-related arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
Irritability or aggression
Risky or destructive behavior
Hypervigilance
Heightened startle reaction
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty sleeping
DURATION
Symptoms last for more than 1 month.
FUNCTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
Symptoms create distress or functional impairment (e.g., social, occupational).
EXCLUSION
Symptoms are not due to medication, substance use, or other illness.