Living with PTSD
“Nobody knows why one gets PTSD and another does not. What we do know is that living with the symptoms of this debilitating disorder effects not only the victim, but everyone with whom the victim loves and interacts.”
What is Post-Traumatic Stress?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, post-traumatic stress (disorder or injury) is a condition that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. Given that law enforcement officers face these incidents as part of their jobs, they are more likely to develop it than other people.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INCLUDE:
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OR INJURY?
At the 999 Foundation, we agree with the idea that post-traumatic stress is less of a disorder and more of an injury. We know that experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress comes with a stigma. However, we don’t want to diminish the experience of officers with who have been diagnosed with PTSD. We will promote PTSI over PTSD, but will continue to use PTSD to describe officers who share their stories using that diagnosis.
