Common Concerns - Responder First Wellness

Addiction

Recovery from Drug & Alcohol Addiction is Possible!

Sobriety Is Not The End Of Fun. It’s Only The Beginning…

Loosid is a distinct community of individuals just like you living and thriving in sobriety

A great resource including a free example of a sobriety agreement you can use in your recovery or that of someone you care about.

ADD/ADHD and Anxiety

I don’t know who needs to hear this right now , but here goes

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter what notebook you use; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter what pen you use; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter where you use your journal; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter whether the page bleeds or tears or ghosts; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter if it makes sense, is legible, or has neat lines; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter whether you missed a few days, weeks, or even months; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter if your life doesn’t perfectly fit within a spread; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter if you start a journal mid-way through the year; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

~ It doesn’t REALLY matter if you make a mistake; what matters is that you get stuff out of your head.

The moment journaling shifted from a ‘hobby’ to a powerful, transformative, life-changing practice was when I started paying attention to what REALLY mattered (and not what perfectionism was telling me mattered).

Of course, what matters to each of us is subjective. Maybe it DOES matter to you what pen you use, or that you never miss a day.
I think, though, that it’s so easy to get pulled into perfectionism and comparison when it comes to bullet journaling. We can so easily lose sight of what really matters, and why we’re being pulled to do this in the first place.

The above are just some examples of the ways perfectionism has held me back over the years from cultivating a practice that truly does positively impact my life (and what people often tell me they’re struggling with on Instagram).

If you’re getting stuck with your bullet journal, try going right back to basics. What REALLY matters? If you’re anything like me, you’ll find that the answer can always be traced back to getting something out of your head (whether that’s information, a creative urge, or something else entirely). Once you know what really matters, you can let go of the pressure of trying to make this into something it doesn’t need to be. That’s where the magic really is!

Bipolar Disorder

Recognizing hypomania, reducing worries and anxiety, and improving your life today

Fighting depression and mania, living right, and being vigilant about mental health.

Depression

Choosing an Antidepressant

How do you choose what antidepressant might work for you? This article gives good guidance on finding the right one, but don’t give up! It might take a couple of tries before finding the one that works best for you.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / Post-Traumatic Stress Injury

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been an accepted diagnosis since 1980. We believe it is time to adopt a new name – Post-Traumatic Stress Injury. PTSI is more accurate, hopeful and honorable.

PTSI is a biological injury that develops after a person has experienced or witnessed a terrifying event. While many people have difficulty adjusting and coping for a while after a traumatic event, they normally get better with time and don’t develop PTSI. Yet, some people show symptoms of PTSI like flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and frightening thoughts that get worse and/or last for months or even years, severely interfering with their daily lives.

For a full article please refer to: http://globalptsifoundation.org/ptsd-vs-ptsi

What is PTSI in emergency responders?

As first responders, we put others first during emergency situations, which is a technique we automatically do to get through a critical incident and ensure that everyone is cared for and safe. A traumatic event, or critical incident, is any type of disaster such a hurricane, flood, car crash, fire, or caring for a severely injured individual. The individuals we help during these incidents can easily develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/Post Traumatic Stress Incident (PTSI), as well as the first responders who help those individuals.

PTSD/PTSI is a medical condition that affects one’s mental health after being triggered by a traumatic event. This can occur by either experiencing or witnessing an event or by an accumulation of multiple events. Sometimes this they may lead to difficulty dealing with certain aspects of this event. These difficulties subside with time. However, if the symptoms interfere with daily activities or last for multiples weeks or months, this may indicate PTSD/PTSI.

The symptoms of PTSD/PTSI are extensive and vary from person to person. They are generally categorized into physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms.

Symptoms of PTSI can be extensive and vary from person to person. Based on my personal experience, when these symptoms interfere with your life on a daily basis and you find yourself consumed by thoughts or feelings that you cannot control, it is a good idea to seek professional help for PTSI. Many First Responder organizations have established peer support groups, which can be a good place to find local information and assistance. Many agencies also have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that can help find a psychologist or counselor who specialize in PTSI. In addition, there are several national programs that specialize in PTSD for first responders. Please contact us for more information or to talk more about PTSD.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress
Common Stress Reactions from Critical Incidents