Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can come from experiencing trauma. However, witnessing somebody else’s trauma can also cause this disorder. As a result, many first responders deal with PTSD and need options to treat it.
Not every first responder with PTSD will have the same needs. For instance, someone who uses substances to cope may need outpatient addiction treatment. Someone who deals with persistent anxiety may need medication.
Often, a combination of therapies can help people with PTSD handle their trauma. Below are some options that first responders can use.
EMDR Therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) was designed specifically for people dealing with trauma.
During EMDR, a person recalls their trauma with a therapist. At the same time, the person performs a bilateral (side to side) movement.
Often, this means tracking a light back and forth with the eyes, which is how EMDR got its name. However, it can also include tapping each hand or listening to a sound through headphones.
Therapists use this movement to reduce negative feelings toward the traumatic event. For many people, EMDR reduces panic and other strong emotional responses to their trauma.
Group Therapy and Support Groups
Group therapy can be helpful for first responders who feel isolated due to their trauma. Group therapy uses many of the techniques that are used in one-on-one settings. However, because multiple people participate at the same time, group therapy can help participants form a supportive community as they receive therapy.
Support groups can also be helpful for first responders. These groups are similar to group therapy, but they aren’t necessarily led by a professional therapist.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged exposure (PE) is a form of therapy that usually lasts for about three months. Like EMDR, it focuses on desensitizing people to their trauma.
However, PE takes a more gradual approach, and it includes coping techniques for dealing with triggers and intrusive thoughts.
During the first PE sessions, the therapist gets to know the client and learns about their trauma. They also teach relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises.
Then, the client gradually processes the source of the trauma by recalling images in therapy and confronting stimuli outside of therapy.
Skills-Based Therapies
Some types of therapy focus on building skills. Some common examples include:
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): identifying unhelpful thoughts and learning how to counteract them
- dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): understanding negative emotions and building distress tolerance skills
- acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): using acceptance and mindfulness strategies to deal with difficult circumstances
- rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT): identifying and confronting false beliefs about difficulties
Many of these therapies overlap and borrow from one another, but they all have specific approaches.
Because they are skills-based therapies, they help participants grow over time. They offer a practical approach that lets clients measure their progress.
For people with PTSD, this practicality can be especially helpful, since PTSD symptoms can make people feel as if they’ve lost control over their lives.
Medication
Some people with PTSD may need medication to cope with their symptoms.
Common medications for PTSD include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications treat anxiety and depression by impacting serotonin, a brain chemical that creates feelings of calmness.
Balanced serotonin levels may help reduce the constant “fight or flight” state that many people with PTSD deal with.
Pursuing Alternative Careers
Trauma can build over time, especially for first responders who witness trauma on a regular basis. Therapy, support, and medication can help many first responders handle the most difficult parts of their jobs.
However, many others may also need time away from the job to heal from trauma. For some, seeking an alternative career path is the best way to improve mental health.
If you’re a first responder dealing with trauma, it’s up to you to choose your best path forward. No matter which path you choose, addressing your mental wellness can help you make the most of your health.