Summary: <p>PTSD Prevention in First Responders<br> Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes</p> <p>Counseling CEUs can be earned for this presentation at <a href="https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/378/c/">https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/378/c/</a><br> Objectives<br> ~ What is PTSD and Cumulative PTSD?<br> ~ Prevention: Why and When?<br> ~ HPA-Axis AKA Threat Response System<br> ~ Prevention: How?<br> ~ Destination<br> ~ Mindfulness<br> ~ Vulnerabilities<br> ~ Cognitions<br> ~ Interventions<br> ~ Specific Interventions</p> <p> </p> <p>PTSD<br> ~ Exposure to a traumatic event that involved actual or the potential for death or serious injury in which there was a sense of helplessness and horror.<br> ~ 3 Types<br> ~ Single Exposure (The straw that broke the camel’s back)<br> ~ Chronic Exposure<br> ~ Secondary Exposure (Think… Spouses of people working Twin towers)<br> ~ Spouses – When Mama ain’t happy…<br> ~ Children<br> Introduction<br> ~ For the vast majority of the population, the psychological trauma is limited to an acute, transient disturbance.<br> ~ The signs and symptoms of PTSD reflect a persistent, abnormal adaptation of neurobiological systems to the witnessed trauma.<br> ~ For more information (psychobabble) about the exact brain changes that take place in people with PTSD, view the video on our YouTube Channel: Neurobiological Impact of Psychological Trauma on the HPA-Axis<br> PTSD Symptoms & Functions<br> ~ Re-Experieincing: Flashbacks, nightmares<br> ~ Avoidance: Avoiding any triggers for re-experiencing<br> ~ Sight, Smell, Sound, Taste, Touch, Place, Time, Objects…<br> ~ Arousal or Reactivity<br> ~ Hypervigilance /Easy startle<br> ~ Difficulty Sleeping<br> ~ Angry outbursts<br> ~ Cognition/Mood<br> ~ Trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event<br> ~ Negative thoughts about oneself or the world (Us-Them)<br> ~ Distorted feelings like guilt or blame<br> ~ Loss of interest in enjoyable activities</p> <p>Burnout –Not Quite PTSD, but Just as Bad<br> ~ Physical, Mental, Emotional Exhaustion: Rookie<br> ~ Frustration, Guilt, Loss of a sense of purpose<br> ~ Nothing I do makes a difference.<br> ~ There’s just too many of them<br> ~ Self-consciousness about their sense of vulnerability, emotional reactions<br> ~ Cynicism and callousness: In response to prolonged feelings of helplessness some people put on heavy armor hey develop an<br> ~ “Look out for # 1.” “Cover your ass.” “Not a Social Worker.”<br> ~ Failure, helplessness and crisis: R.O.D Deputy<br> Risk Factors<br> ~ The response of an individual to trauma depends not only on stressor characteristics, but also on factors specific to the individual.<br> ~ Perception of stressor<br> ~ Proximity to safe zones<br> ~ Similarity to victim<br> ~ Degree of helplessness<br> ~ Prior traumatic experiences (1+1=5)<br> ~ Amount of stress in the preceding months (Including family, personal and organizational)<br> ~ Current mental health or addiction issues<br> ~ Availability of social support 4/24<br> Prevention Whys<br> ~ It is easier (and cheaper) to intervene early<br> ~ Activity—identify someone who has developed burnout. What are the impacts<br> ~ Emotionally (anger, anxiety, moodiness, withdrawn, depressed)<br> ~ Mentally (outlook, concentration, hope, screw it attitude, gets behind on paperwork)<br> ~ Physically (illness, exhaustion, weight gain, increased drinking)<br> ~ Socially (relationships with family, friends, ability to get along with team, draws complaints, “lost puppies”)<br> Prevention Whens<br> ~ NOW!<br> ~ Prevention mitigates vulnerabilities and strengthens the force<br> ~ A vulnerable officer is more likely to:<br> ~ Draw a complaint<br> ~ Make a mistake<br> ~ Get hurt<br> ~ Develop stress related illnesses and mood issues<br> The HPA Axis: Threat Response Sy</p>
