By Beau Armistead, M.A., NCC, LPC, director, Sojourn Counseling
Several months back, a new client came to see me. He had been a firefighter for several years, and had recently experienced an event that had been causing him great distress. He had responded to a call where an infant was pronounced dead. Because he was assigned to attend to other family members, he did not view the infant’s body, but after the event, his brain created images of the deceased child.
The most traumatizing part for him was the family’s response. They had gathered outside the home and acted as if nothing had happened – no mourning, no sadness, just regular conversation and even joking. The event stuck in this first responder’s brain, eventually causing him insomnia, anxiety, extreme agitation, and intrusive thoughts of the scene and his imagined pictures of the infant. Within months, every aspect of his life seemed to be affected by the post-traumatic stress happening in his mind and body.
After meeting with this firefighter for a few counseling sessions to gather information and prepare him for processing the event, during our next session, we used a therapy modality called EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to process the event. The session greatly reduced his disturbance. In the next few sessions, he continued to report relief from his symptoms associated with the traumatic event. He no longer experienced anxiety, agitation, insomnia, or intrusive thoughts around the event.
The Prevalence of Trauma in First Responders
The first part of this story is not uncommon among firefighters and first responders. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the therapeutic tools available to help them process these work-related experiences.
Firefighters, whose work frequently exposes them to intense and life-threatening situations, will undoubtedly experience the effects of trauma. Their exposure to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies often leaves them dealing with emotional aftershocks long after the danger has passed, and the cumulative effect of these stresses can be overwhelming. Repeated exposure to trauma can wear down emotional defenses over time.
The better educated first responders are about the impact of post-traumatic stress, as well as the therapeutic tools available for recovery and healing, the better equipped they are to care for themselves and pursue a path to healing.
The Brain and Trauma
When explaining to clients the differences in how our brains handle ordinary life experiences versus how they struggle to process traumatic events, I often use the analogy of a filing cabinet.
If the brain is like a filing cabinet, during REM sleep at night, it files away the day’s events into the memory storage places of the brain, but if a person experiences a traumatic event during the day, their brain is often unable to “file” this event properly, so it is left unprocessed. I often refer to these unprocessed memories as pieces of wadded up paper thrown on top of the filing cabinet, cluttering the brain and causing disturbing symptoms.
Post-traumatic stress (often referred to as PTSD) can develop when these traumatic events remain unprocessed. The result is the brain becomes “stuck” in survival mode, experiencing the threat as ongoing. In survival mode, the brain is trying to prevent the person from experiencing further danger by keeping the sights, sounds, smells, emotions, and physical sensations connected to the traumatic experience close at hand. These are what people experience as triggers.
Post-traumatic stress is exhibited as a range of symptoms that can interfere with daily functioning, including insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anger, irritability, anxiety, depression and emotional numbness, as well as memory and concentration issues. These symptoms not only impair a person’s ability to perform their duties at work but may also lead to difficulties in their personal lives.
The Impact of Untreated Trauma
As an example, a firefighter I saw as a client had responded to a suicide several years before. Since then, every time he drove past the location of the incident (a trigger for him), he felt his chest tighten, he experienced shortness of breath, and images of the scene flashed into his mind.
He would be able to move on, but throughout the rest of the day, he may have a hard time concentrating on calls, snap at his children, drink more alcohol than he intended to drink, and experience insomnia that night. He had not made the connection between those reactions and experiences later in the day with driving past the scene of the incident earlier that morning.
Oftentimes, the veterans and first responders I see in my counseling office are unaware of the relationship between their exposure to a traumatic event and their outbursts of anger, their fuzzy memory, or their insomnia.
Left unaddressed, the post-traumatic stress firefighters experience can interfere with relationships, cause debilitating physical symptoms, lead to substance abuse, or increase the risk of self-harm.
Hope for Healing
While the symptoms of post-traumatic stress can feel overwhelming, there are several evidence-based therapies designed to help individuals process traumatic experiences, regulate their nervous system, and restore a sense of well-being. Some of the most promising modalities include EMDR, brainspotting, and IASIS microcurrent neurofeedback (MCN).
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy helps individuals process trauma by engaging both sides of the brain through bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements or tapping), mimicking what occurs naturally during REM sleep. This technique allows the brain to reprocess traumatic memories so that they become less distressing. Over time, EMDR can reduce the emotional charge of traumatic events, helping individuals reframe their experiences and build new, healthier associations.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting, another effective processing modality, is a relatively new therapeutic approach where a therapist guides the client to focus on specific points in their visual field that correspond to areas of unresolved trauma in the brain. By focusing on these spots, clients can access deeper emotional and physical responses, promoting processing at a deep level.
MCN Therapy
And finally, MCN is a cutting-edge therapy that uses extremely low-intensity electrical currents to rebalance brainwave patterns. This modality targets dysregulated brain activity, which is often found in individuals with post-traumatic stress. Over time, MCN can improve emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and enhance cognitive function, helping the brain return to a more balanced state. Used in conjunction with one of the processing therapies, MCN can often speed up the process of healing.
A Holistic Approach to Recovery
While professional therapies are essential for addressing the neurological and psychological roots of trauma, self-care practices play a vital role in the healing process, as well.
Recovering from post-traumatic stress requires a holistic approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. Because of the connection between our minds and bodies, post-traumatic stress can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues, muscle tension, autoimmune disorders, and more.
Practices such as regular exercise, eating well, and getting into a solid sleep routine give the body the extra care it needs to recover. Nurturing important relationships with community and loved ones is also vital in the healing process, as this provides a sense of safety and connection, which is lacking in many who experience post-traumatic stress. And finally, engaging in mindfulness exercises or practices that support one’s faith can offer inner peace and strength necessary to a person’s holistic well-being.
For firefighters and other first responders, awareness of the effects of trauma and education around evidence-based therapy modalities, as well as helpful self-care practices, are vital. Although mental health has not always been a priority within first-responder communities, the stigma surrounding seeking help is waning.
Firefighter Culture
What lingers for many firefighters, though, is a cultural pressure to remain strong, stoic, and unaffected by the traumatic situations they encounter. For firefighters and others who encounter trauma as part of their work, it is important to remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness – it is an act of courage and strength.
The importance of firefighters finding the correct care for post-traumatic stress cannot be overstated. Early intervention is vital. When firefighters are encouraged to seek help early, it prevents trauma from becoming deeply entrenched and reduces the risk of long-term mental and physical health challenges.
Although post-traumatic stress can feel overwhelming, there is hope for healing. With the right combination of therapeutic interventions, self-care practices, and community support, individuals can regain a sense of peace and restore balance in their lives.
Healing from trauma takes time, but every small step toward recovery brings individuals closer to reclaiming their sense of self and well-being. A life beyond post-traumatic stress is not only possible, it is within reach.
