Do Firefighters Get PTSD?
As a society, we often view firefighters as the embodiment of bravery and resilience, charging into burning buildings and facing peril head-on. However, beneath the helmets and uniforms lies a group of individuals profoundly affected by the traumatic events they encounter daily. The question arises: Do firefighters experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? The answer is […]
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Police Officers
by: Nancy Ryba Panza, PhD, ABPP At First Responder Wellness we specialize in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is diagnosed when someone has been exposed to an incident (or incidents) that involve actual or threatened death, injury, or sexual violence and then develops impairing symptoms after that exposure. Given the high propensity […]
You Are Not Broken: Understanding Parasympathetic Responses
People seeking treatment often believe there must be something wrong with them, that their brain is “broken” — this simply is not true. In fact, your brain is working hard to protect you. The brain is constantly looking for ways to feel safe. It reacts when it does not feel that you are. This article […]
First Responders and Panic Attacks
Anyone who lives through a traumatic experience can be triggered into an onset of panic. It is most likely that the veteran firefighter, EMT, or law enforcement officer has likely assisted someone going through a panic attack. Yet, regardless of their experience, first responders themselves can also be prone to experiencing panic. These episodes may […]
Intentional Gratitude
Contributing credit: Chief Sam Digiovanna and Michael Berk As the holiday season approaches, the lives of First Responders grow busier. Between shifts at work and home life, there are many commitments to balance. Many have been thinking about their plans, who’s cooking, if they will be on duty, if they should eat both the turkey […]
Lexipol and First Responder Wellness Partnership Announcement
Enhancing Mental Health Support for Public Safety and First Responders Lexipol, the leader in solutions that enhance performance excellence in public safety, is proud to announce a new partnership with First Responder Wellness (FRW). This collaboration aims to enhance mental health support for first responders by integrating Lexipol’s clinician and peer support training with FRW’s residential treatment […]
Suicide Intervention
Many people are not sure what to do if they think someone they know might be thinking about suicide. Be direct. Ask the question. Let them know you care. In addition to this article, you can also watch a short video about suicide intervention. Go online: https://rb.gy/sky6k8. First Responders are more likely to die by […]
