how do paramedics cope with stress?

Question

this has got to be one of the most stressful jobs in the world imo...does anyone know how they cope with the relentless day to day and night by night stress?

Answer 1

Hi Uplate,

I hear you.
And they get the worst at both ends
1. first at the scene
2. deal with the situation 'en-route' and try to keep people alive
3. deliver them to the ER where it is chaos to begin
with and explain in seconds to the Doctors and Nurses
what the status quo is.

They usually get little recognition.

I call this true Vocation.
God Bless them and look after them,
and let us hope the support programs
they have for them work.

Answer 2

I am used to the stress, and don't often feel the need to cope with it. This is a good and a bad thing. The good part is that I do not have to find an outlet for stress relief, but the bad (maybe not) thing is that it changed my personality. I am more sarcastic and cynical, which I am told is funny, but is a coping measure.

When I have a particulary bad call I do feel the stress, and I handle it by going to the range and shooting about 200 rounds. I also have a lot of friends who are interested in EMS or are fellow EMTs or paramedics, who love to hear stories, and it gives me someone to talk to. I also try to leave my work behind when I go home. I don't come home and do paperwork, listen to the scanner, or talk about particulary bad calls with my family. I leave work related issues at work with people I work with, or talk about them with people who understand medicine and have similar experiences.

Answer 3

Ah...stress. Also paramedic here. PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) comes to mind. A good diet. Lay off the simple carbs and sugars. Also lay off the cigarillos or any tobacco for that matter. Alcohol too. Stay fit, go for a walk, take a hike, play basketball, anything physical....yes, sex is physical! Find something meaningful in your life. Do some soul searching, find a hobby, go out with friends more often. Also, see your doctor and have your hormone levels checked..especially thyroid and adrenals.

Answer 4

My finace` whom is a female EMT and FireFighter along with coping with being the first female on the department has also had to adapt. She has explained it to me. It's like a switch in their minds goes from everyday mode to lifesaving mode. With that the gore and everything doesn't really register with them while on scene. However they do have an occasional problems with scenes somtimes and they have an on staff counselor and pastor that helps them cope with what they have seen and dealt with. I give it up to all Cops, FireFighters, Paramedics, ER staff, All Military Personell. They help and provide so much for all of us that we don't really see enough to really appreciate! Thank you to all those i have listed above!

Answer 5

during my EMT class (befor i was kicked out) the lady said that a lot dont get any counceling but some do and it should be required for all EMTs. but if there no therapy then they become too sexualy active or they are turned away from sex. they may commit suacide or turn to drugs. they may get insomnia or get a eating disorder. the medical field is gorssly under paid and under gloryfied.

also if i rember correctly some 80% of of calls have nothing to do with any other than some little old lady falling down and brekaing her hip and things like that.

Answer 6

I know there are counselours to help cope with grief related stress in high intensity jobs; law enforcement, fire brigade, and whatnot. I can only imagine they have a similar outlet.

Answer 7

I think they deal with it in their own way. It takes a certain kind of person to do that kind of job and if you can't handle it well, I think you burn out very fast.

Answer 8

through training or getting used to the site of it day in and day out. Its the same as any other Emergency service

Answer 9

what about a stress debriefing? ask your supervisor for a meeting...