Most Americans view military members and first responders as heroes. Unfortunately, they typically don’t understand the intense stressors faced by those in these careers. Repeat exposure to traumatic situations can result in mental health issues. Though these issues are sometimes debilitating, PTSD associated with professions often goes untreated.

Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be your reality. If you’re suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder — or any mental health condition — the professionals at Transformations Treatment Center may be able to help. Our individualized approach to treating military, veterans, and first responders has shown great promise and helped many.

Contact us today to learn more. PTSD associated with professions doesn’t have to control your life.

Why Is PTSD Associated With Certain Professions?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) isn’t the only mental health condition linked to certain career paths. In fact, those who work in environments that cause such stress also have higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders, alcoholism, and other psychological problems. What is it about these professions, though, that leads to such destructive outcomes?

There is no single answer to this question. There are many factors that contribute to these issues, and they can vary between individuals. For instance, one soldier may develop PTSD after witnessing a death while another goes about their life normally. In most cases, though, the following realities contribute to issues such as PTSD associated with professions:

  • High-stress career: Even when not experiencing traumatic events, stress is inherent to long hours, lack of sleep, high physical demands, multiple jobs, and a lack of resources.
  • Loneliness: Working as a first responder or similar career is a selfless decision. Unfortunately, this decision isn’t easy on relationships. This leaves many without a solid support system.
  • Risk of harm: First responders and military members face the risk of harm almost every day. They’re constantly in dangerous situations.
  • Guilt: Individuals in these careers often feel guilt over family life, surviving when others don’t, being unable to save everyone and many other issues.
  • Risk of trauma: First responders, military members, and those in similar professions have a much higher risk of experiencing trauma than others.
  • Life-and-death decisions: Having to make life-and-death decisions — often for other people — creates significant stress on the human mind.

While this list may seem long, it’s far from exhaustive. The reality is that PTSD associated with professions can have many underlying causes — as do several other mental health conditions experienced in these careers. Unfortunately, this isn’t an uncommon issue.

In fact, studies have found that over one-third of police officers and up to one-quarter of dispatchers develop PTSD. Around 30% of first responding personnel have the same issue. Up to 30% of veterans also deal with the condition in their lifetimes. The most important lesson to take from these statistics, though, is that you are not alone.

Between 30-40% of our clients at Transformations Treatment Center are first responders or vets, so we understand your unique needs. Call us today at (800) 270-4315 to get started on the path toward healing.

PTSD Resources for First Responders and Others

Whether it’s depression, anxiety, or PTSD associated with professions that you’re dealing with, there are many resources available. Unfortunately, these resources aren’t always accessible. Some employers simply don’t have the budgets to offer the help their employees need. Additionally, there’s often a stigma in these fields connected to needing help.

An increased understanding of the struggles faced by America’s heroes has developed over the years. It’s not a weakness to reach out for help. It takes courage to admit you can’t manage the struggle alone.

At Transformations Treatment Center, we offer a variety of resources for those dealing with PTSD associated with professions and other problems. These include:

  • Detoxification
  • Stress management
  • Emotion-focused therapy
  • EMDR trauma therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Anger management
  • Adventure therapy
  • Stress management
  • Experiential therapies

These are just a few of the approaches we provide at Transformations Treatment Center. We also offer a variety of other mental health treatments that can help — in addition to the Help For Our Heroes program that focuses on the unique needs of first responders and veterans. PTSD associated with professions can be difficult to treat, but with the right resources, there is hope.

While offering such a wide variety of treatments may seem like overkill, the reality is that every individual has different needs. Two first responders could develop a trauma disorder linked to the very same response call, but the therapy that’s best for each could still be very different. Additionally, it’s important to also confront underlying issues and co-occurring disorders.

Taking a customized and holistic approach is essential when treating issues that link trauma to a profession. Our admissions office can also help you find ways to pay for your treatment. If you find that Transformations Treatment Center isn’t right for you, we can point you in the right direction. The main goal is simply to find the help you need

First Responders and Vets Can Benefit From Concurrent Treatment

If you’re dealing with PTSD associated with professions, you may wonder why we offer multiple treatments. It’s because we want you to find the treatment that works for you. By having various therapies available, your chance of success could increase.

This is because, often, a single therapy doesn’t cover all of your needs. For instance, art therapy shows efficacy at treating the third symptom cluster of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“This review suggests that if current service members and veterans were placed into art therapy programs as early as possible after being diagnosed with PTSD, they would be at less risk for developing greater PTSD symptom severity.”

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tends to be the gold standard for treating PTSD. However, it only treats two of the symptom clusters of the disorder. What has proven effective at treating the third cluster? Art therapy. This is why having so many therapeutic offerings is beneficial for those dealing with mental health issues.

PTSD associated with professions can cause significant issues in an individual’s personal and professional life. Fortunately, the effects of trauma do not have to dictate your future. Millions of first responders, military vets, and others in similar professions receive mental health treatment every year. If you’re dealing with the effects of trauma, the time to reach out is now.

Fight Back Against PTSD Associated With Professions Today

Alcoholism, addiction, and mental health are major public health concerns, but working in certain professions creates even bigger risks. First responders and military personnel face unique stressors that most people can only imagine. Unfortunately, they often face these on an ongoing basis. The human psyche wasn’t built for such stress, but there is help available for those who need it.

At Transformations Treatment Center, the Help For Our Heroes program was created by veterans and first responders. These professionals are clinically trained and ready to help. Neither PTSD associated with professions nor any other mental health issue has to be a life sentence. The first step is reaching out for help.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you take your life back.

Sources

National Alliance on Mental Illness

https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Frontline-Wellness/2021/Documenting-the-Traumas-of-First-Responders

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp

Journal of Military and Veterans Health

https://jmvh.org/article/a-review-of-art-therapy-among-military-service-members-and-veterans-with-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/

VA Office of Research and Development

https://www.research.va.gov/topics/mental_health.cfm