Summary: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event. The EPA is a great resource for employees experiencing PTSD but not all employee recognizes the symptoms or are willing to reach out for help. The following are the three key strategies when addressing assistance to employees with PTSD:
• Knowledge is power- Knowing the signs and symptoms can help us identify traumatic stress injuries in ourselves or others. We need to recognize that something is wrong before we are aware that we need help.
• We can (and should) intervene- We wouldn’t let our supervisors, subordinates, or co-workers, take on an armed subject by themselves if we had the option of being there, even if we
were never requested over the radio. Someone dealing with the fall out of post-traumatic stress needs us to be there even if they didn’t call for us.
• Early intervention results in a better outcome- Rapid assistance from a professional counselor or peer support team members is more likely to lead to more rapid recovery.
• Knowledge is power- Knowing the signs and symptoms can help us identify traumatic stress injuries in ourselves or others. We need to recognize that something is wrong before we are aware that we need help.
• We can (and should) intervene- We wouldn’t let our supervisors, subordinates, or co-workers, take on an armed subject by themselves if we had the option of being there, even if we
were never requested over the radio. Someone dealing with the fall out of post-traumatic stress needs us to be there even if they didn’t call for us.
• Early intervention results in a better outcome- Rapid assistance from a professional counselor or peer support team members is more likely to lead to more rapid recovery.