Originally Posted by
Jishin
Police Officers Face Cumulative PTSD
By Michelle Beshears, Faculty Member, Criminal Justice at American Military University
“Even with all we know about its effects and ways to treat it, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among police officers and continues to take its toll on their lives and those of their families.
Most of what people think of as PTSD relates to trauma suffered by soldiers and those in the military. However, police officers’ PTSD is different. Soldiers often get PTSD from a single or brief exposure to stress. However, for police officers PTSD tends to manifest over time, resulting from multiple stress-related experiences. This is better known as cumulative PTSD.
Understanding Cumulative PTSD
Cumulative PTSD can be even more dangerous than PTSD caused from a single traumatic event, largely because cumulative PTSD is more likely to go unnoticed and untreated. When a catastrophic event occurs, such as an officer-involved shooting, most departments have policies and professionals to help an officer address and deal with the aftermath of an event.
However, the build-up of events that arise throughout an officer’s career generally do not warrant such specialized attention. As a result, an officer with cumulative PTSD is less likely to receive treatment. Unlike a physical injury, a mental traumatic injury can happen almost daily. When the demon of PTSD surfaces it often goes ignored. If untreated, officers can become a risk to themselves and others.
Causes of PTSD
Numerous events can cause PTSD in police officers, such as hostage situations, dangerous drug busts, responding to fatal accidents, and working other cases that include serious injury or death. But there are many less traumatic situations that can still be extremely stressful for an officer. Other stressful situations include, but are not limited to: long hours; handling people’s attitudes; waiting for the next call and not knowing what the situation will be; and even politics within the department. Then, on top of it all, officers are frequently criticized, scrutinized, and investigated for decisions they make.
Signs of PTSD
If recognized early and treated properly, officers and their families can overcome the debilitating effects of cumulative PTSD. The key to early intervention and treatment is recognizing the signs of PTSD and seeking help sooner rather than later.
Some of the physical signs officers should look for in themselves include:
Fatigue
Vomiting or nausea
Chest pain
Twitches
Thirst
Insomnia or nightmares
Breathing difficulty
Grinding of teeth
Profuse sweating
Pounding heart
Diarrhea or intestinal upsets
Headaches
Behavioral signs family members of officers and officers should look for in themselves and in others include:
Withdrawal from family and friends
Pacing and restlessness
Emotional outbursts
Anti-social acts
Suspicion and paranoia
Increased alcohol consumption and other substance abuse
Emotional signs include:
Anxiety or panic
Guilt
Fear
Denial
Irritability
Depression
Intense anger
Agitation
Apprehension
The situational training new recruits receive is simply not enough to prepare them for the reality of the experiences they will face throughout their careers. Most young officers do not understand the stressful events they are likely to experience during their years on the job. Many officers are also not adequately equipped with the emotional tools necessary to deal with the emotions they will feel when things happen.
However, awareness continues to grow about the stress and trauma that officers’ experience. Organizations like the Station House Retreat offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment trauma therapy and peer-support services for police officers as well as all first responders. They also offer addiction treatment for first responders, and support for their family members.”
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A significant amount of police misconduct is due to trauma in the line of duty. If cops admit they have psychiatric difficulties they lose their guns, badges and livelihood. The public complains but does not provide the funds, understanding and compassion that is conducive to repairing our injured police officers. There is some help but not enough. Police officers that offend are victims too. Please never forget this.
In the military our vets are provided with great psychiatric care in the case of PTSD by the VA after discharge and also receive financial compensation due to disability. This is not common with police officers. They have to keep working.
Gassho, Jishin, __/stlah\__