Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth: A Comparison of Two 30+ Year Veteran Responders

Post-traumatic stress affects one in seven EMS professionals. Some research suggests more than 50% of first responders are affected with job related stress. However, we still don't have a robust mechanism for prevention, early detection, and long-term management. This presentation offers a unique window between two distinctly different providers. One suffered severe addiction as a result of undiagnosed PTSD and the other has never taken a drink in his entire life. Yet, they both exhibited the same subtle signs of job-related stress. This presentation focusses on the progressive, subtle, and cumulative effects of trauma and its recognition. Moreover, the presenters offer realistic and practical solutions for post-traumatic growth, a distinctly different approach than traditional management of job-related stress.