When a gunman took over the Virginia Tech campus on April 16, 2007, killing 32 students and faculty and injuring many more, paramedics and EMTs were among the first to observe the carnage. The shooting spree was the largest in U.S. history and no one could have prepared for the number of victims.
Rescue workers have to be professional and have to keep their emotions in check on any crime or accident scene. But first responders and paramedics are husbands, wives, daughters and sons who often cannot help the effect their jobs have on their emotions. Keeping emotions in check is a very difficult task for even the most experienced workers when the loss of life is so great and the violence is so brutal and senseless. In all cases, but particularly in cases like the Virginia Tech shootings and the Columbine High School shootings, rescue workers are susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, after living through such an awful event.
Medical professionals define post-traumatic stress disorder as an intense, physical and emotional response to thoughts and reminders of a traumatic event. These thoughts and reminders may last for weeks or months after the event. Sometimes the symptoms may occur years after the event.
The symptoms of PTSD include:
- Flashbacks, nightmares and extreme reactions to reminders of the event are usually present. These can include headaches, shaking, chills, fear of extreme harm when there is no danger and numbness.
- A person may avoid activities or places that remind them of the trauma.
- They may cut themselves off from others.
- They may be easily startled, cannot sleep and have unreasonable outbursts of anger.
- They often suffer from panic attacks, depression and isolation.
Immediately after the trauma, many of these symptoms are considered normal. To help diminish the effect of the trauma, rescue workers can:
- Relax, eat right and get a good night’s sleep.
- Tell family and friends about the symptoms.
- Try to keep a normal routine as possible.
- Enjoy a favorite hobby or activity with friends or family.
- If the symptoms become debilitating, seek professional help.
Supervisors can watch for these symptoms and step in if they believe the affected person is not getting help. Workers who suffer from PTSD will often find their symptoms are more intense when they are at another crime scene. This affects job performance and the entire department.
Article provided by Kim Berly