i was a volunteer fireman, and after this i found it hard to eat. I try hanging out with my friends but i start getting small panic attacks. I feel nauseated 24/7. I found lately when i have company i tend to lock myself in my room so i can be alone. I had nightmares for a while after the accident but i dont have them as much.. what is wrong with me?
2007-02-03 01:17:54 · 13 answers · asked by GQsmooth 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
NOTHING is wrong with you (okay - sorry for yelling, but I am so very p---ssed off at the person who told you that you aren't 'cut out' for the job. I wish there was a category called 'awful destructive answers' so that I could flag them).
Post Traumatic Stress is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation! Its our body and mind's way of telling us that we are stressed and need to heal.
If you had NO reaction to the event you witnessed, that would be out of the ordinary.
Please give yourself a hug for being a normal, compassionate, loving, feeling human being! - Those wonderful qualities are probably why you became a volunteer fireman in the first place!
And a hug from me too!!
Now, get yourself on the web and look up the following resources:
(But be aware that nothing can substitute for human to human contact. So please consider asking the Fire Dept for any support resources they may have available - especially groups. Also, try to sit down with a senior member of the regular Fire Dept that you trust and talk to them - they have probably been through it as well, and can be a source of comfort and validation.)
SAMHSA: Stress Management and Prevention Guide for Emergency Workers:
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/tips/disaster.pdf
Critical Incident Stress Management:
http://www.criticalincidentstress.com/coping_with_critical_incidents
SAMHSA: A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis Response Professions:
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/disasterrelief/publications/allpubs/SMA-4113/chapter5.asp
Critical Incident Stress Management:
http://www.criticalincidentstress.com/home
Surviving Field Stress for First Responders:
http://www2.cdc.gov/phtn/webcast/stress-05/TrainingWorkbookstress-editp1.pdf.
.
2007-02-03 01:58:43 · answer #1 · answered by cyclgrrl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to get evaluated for post traumatic stress disorder. The panic attacks are the key.
Don't go on any more calls. You may freeze up and lose a patient. Get this looked into first.
2007-02-03 01:26:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Post Traumatic Stress disorder.. You need to get with a therapist and talk about it.. i mean really talk about it.. seeing someone die naturally isn't easy.. but having to watch someone die so horrific is traumatic.
You can overcome this in time but it will take time. And my hats off to you for being a volunteer firefighter.. it's a big responsibility .... One you didn't have to do.. but choose to.. I hope someday you will feel comfortable enough to return back to it.. but right now the important thing is healing your mind.. good luck and best wishes...
2007-02-03 01:30:19 · answer #3 · answered by nurse_driller 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is definitely post traumatic stress syndrome. you saw something horrible that was totally real and probably felt helpless to do anything about or even pictured yourself or your loved ones in that same situation. I ama nurse and my co-workers and I have had similar experiences. For instance, a friend of mine in the er saw a baby that was suffocated to death by her 3-yr-old brother when he roled over on her in bed.(At the time she was trying to have her 4th child but decided not to.) She transfered out of the er shortly afterward. So please, seek some counseling as you are not alone or crazy.gl
2007-02-03 01:29:40 · answer #4 · answered by knownot 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a psychologist, by my guess would be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You witnessed something horrible, and for whatever reason, you haven't been able to let it go. I strongly suggest getting some counseling so that you can deal with your feelings about this incident, and get back to a more functional state.
Best of luck!
2007-02-03 01:24:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
PTSD
post traumatic stress dissorder.
People who work as firefighters,police,EMt's and doctors can suffer this when they have seen or been through something very traumatic..You psychologically cant handle this,and its your bodys way or reacting.
Talk with your chief (boss) he should be able to get you referred to a psychologist - sometimes the companys will pay for this.
You'll be ok, you just need to see a specialist so you can get help working through it...
2007-02-03 01:32:02 · answer #6 · answered by country_girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your experiencing post trauma effects of wha t you saw, you need to exersize more, breathe deeply, "your a compassionate person" and things like this get to you more than others "I don't believe the sight will ever leave your mind, you have a permantent imprint of the sight in your brain, you will just have to pray God will help you see "things like this are a part of life" some people die in their beds some in car or plane crash's, go on about your business "only you can put it behind you" an expensive therapist will just take your money
2007-02-03 01:30:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome? I'd say get counseling or consult a phycologists. They make medication that can make you feel almost 100% better.
I'm sorry for your tragedy and I hope you get to feeling better.
2007-02-03 01:27:23 · answer #8 · answered by p0pr0xy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Therapy that will allow you to 'unload' should be helpful, that might be a professional, or group...it is often helpful to relate your actions thoughts and dreams regarding this to people that have similar experiences, or just a good friend or two with attentive ears. Whatever you do dont just live with it and bottle up...good luck to you, chin up
2007-02-03 01:49:12 · answer #9 · answered by doingitright44 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The thing that is wrong with you is that you have a heart and it was broken by what you witnessed. Healing will take time. Pray that God will send His Comforter to you to help you through the ordeal. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted"
2007-02-03 01:25:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋