Understanding PTSD

CFA members are regularly first on scene at very serious incidents and potentially traumatic events, helping people though some of the most frightening moments of their lives. We are amazingly resilient but sometimes a trauma response can occur. It could be after one incident or after multiple exposures and can be a standalone event or in combination with other life stressors. But it’s important to know that a trauma response is normal and treatable. In the first days and weeks after a traumatic event, people may experience strong feelings of fear, sadness, guilt, anger or grief. Generally, these feelings will resolve on their own, and with the support of family and friends the person recovers. However, if the distress continues, it may mean that the person has developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another mental health condition. On 27 June, which was PTSD Awareness Day, CFA volunteer and staff member John Parnell (pictured) shared his personal story of PTSD on the CFA Wellbeing Podcast to increase knowledge of the condition. John shared the layers of events that led to PTSD and how it impacted his life, work and relationships. John was affected most by turning out to car accidents that involved children and fatalities. “I would get frustrated and angry at the drop of a hat,” John said. He wanted people to know that seeking professional help and building strategies is “all about managing the illness, not letting the illness manage you, and that’s what it was doing to me. It was managing me.” You can listen to John’s podcast on Members Online: members.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/ Show?pageId=wellbeingPodcasts. By sharing his story, John hopes to help others. Sharing stories reduces stigma and shame by hearing people speak of similar experiences, and helps people feel they are not alone. Storytelling can encourage hope of a better way to live. In Australia, we know that emergency services personnel and police have a higher incidence of PTSD than the general adult population. A 2018 Beyond Blue survey found that an average of 10 per cent have probable PTSD compared to 4.4 per cent of the general public. The same report indicated that on top of the higher prevalence, emergency services personnel are reluctant to seek professional help. Just over 10 per cent knew good mental health was important but didn’t recognise the symptoms, and a further 28 per cent recognised the symptoms but refused to get professional help because they preferred to deal with the issues alone or were worried people would treat them differently. A person with PTSD has four main types of difficulties: • Re-living the traumatic event. Examples are unwanted memories, vivid nightmares and flashbacks. • Feeling wound up – having trouble sleeping or concentrating, feeling angry or irritable, taking risks, becoming easily startled. • Avoiding any reminders of the event. • Negative thoughts and feelings – feeling afraid, angry, guilty, flat, or numb a lot of the time, losing interest in day-to-day activities, feeling cut off from friends and family. If you know someone diagnosed with PTSD, support from friends and family is important. You can: • plan enjoyable activities • check in regularly and provide emotional support. • offer practical support such as going to the doctor with them, collecting groceries or babysitting • make a crisis plan together. You can’t always prevent a crisis, but you can learn to recognise triggers and take steps to help them cope. Talk with them ahead of time about what to do during a nightmare, flashback, or panic attack, and encourage them to limit their exposure to media coverage of the event. Thank you to John for sharing his story and experience with PTSD. While not everyone who experiences trauma will develop post-traumatic stress disorder, having PTSD is not a sign of weakness and no one should feel ashamed to seek help. You can find out more about PTSD on the Phoenix Australia website, phoenixaustralia.org. Phoenix Australia is the national centre of excellence in post-traumatic mental health. If you feel you’re not OK and would like to talk to someone, contact CFA’s Wellbeing Support Line on 1800 959 232. It’s free, confidential and available to all members and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week.