Do first responders have to live with trauma? First responders are typically exposed to higher rates of trauma and experiences that can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to their chosen profession. Check out this link to learn more about PTSD rates among first responders here. The pain of trauma can be overwhelming and separate them from the things that they care deeply about. This blog post explores trauma recovery for first responders from a somatic therapist’s perspective in Glendale, WI.
The Day-to-Day Numbness
One of the symptoms of trauma is avoidance. This avoidance can take many forms for first responders and look vastly different from person to person. Avoidance can manifest as emotional numbness, to the extent that the first responder struggles to notice the mind and body connection. From here, they can even struggle to connect with feelings such as love, comfort, and, security. Other ways avoidance can manifest is through substance use, isolating from others, and dissociation.
The Internal Scars
Our world struggles to see internal scars in the way they do outward scars. The internal scars can run deep and be buried by various forms of defense mechanisms. Because of this, first responders may be able to suppress traumatic symptoms or go for long periods of time without experiencing the impact of past traumatic events. However, avoidance only works so long
Wondering Where Things Go from Here
Things could be great in life. Maybe things could be better. Maybe things are on a slippery slow and things need to change. You might be wondering where to go from here. From a somatic experiencing therapy point of view, trauma and the traumatic symptoms that accompany trauma can be healed. The nervous system itself can be reregulated so that you are more in touch with your emotions, and you can respond appropriately to situations. Trauma recovery is possible. Your innate internal grit and perseverance can be a huge asset to the healing process.
Somatic experiencing therapy in Glendale, WI, is a gentle yet direct way to integrate past moments of overwhelming experiences, intense stress, trauma, and feelings of guilt and shame. Don’t live your life dictated by past events, but experience the richness this life has to offer.
At Revitalize Mental Health, I provide online somatic therapy services for those who live in the Glendale, WI area. Online therapy sessions are held during the weekday evenings as well as on the weekends. I am currently accepting new clients at this time.
If you would like to learn more about how somatic experiencing therapy can help you heal, please submit a form here or call 720.295.6703. From there, we will schedule a 15-minute consultation call to ensure that we’re a good fit to work together. If we both agree that we are a good fit to work together, we set up our first appointment during that call. I look forward to hearing from you.
