b'O P E R A T I O N SB E H A V I O R A L H E A LT HPTSD is a psychological disorder that can affect those whoPTSD symptoms can be categorized into four groups and a have gone through a traumatic event or a series of experiences.diagnosis requires specific number of symptoms in each category. It usually occurs when individuals have been exposed to anThe intensity of each symptom may vary from person to person.overwhelming and frightening experience. Trauma can leave1. Intrusion (one or more symptoms): Intrusive thoughts a person feeling emotionally or physically distressed and itsuch as repeated, involuntary memories, distressing dreams or may have a negative impact on their mental, physical, socialflashbacks of the traumatic event. Flashbacks may be so vivid and/or spiritual well-being. It can be very intimidating andthat people feel they are reliving the traumatic experience or life-threatening. Through their work, fire fighters are exposedseeing it before their eyes.to potentially traumatic experiences during every shift. It is2. Avoidance (one or more symptoms): Avoiding reminders important to remember that fire fighters are people too and haveof the traumatic event may include avoiding people, places, the same risks that others do with their personal lives. activities, objects and situations that may trigger distressing Those suffering from PTSD find it difficult to cope withmemories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking their experience, as they continue to endure long-lasting,about the traumatic event. They may resist talking about what extreme and distressing thoughts and feelings even after thehappened or how they feel about it.traumatic situation has ended. Fire fighters may find themselves3. Alterations in cognition and mood (two or more living it over again through flash recollections or nightmares.symptoms): Inability to remember important aspects of the Additionally, they may experience intense emotions like fear,traumatic event; negative thoughts and feelings leading to sadness and anger and feel disconnected from their crew, theirongoing and distorted beliefs about oneself or others (e.g., I family or their community. Fire fighters struggling with PTSDam bad, No one can be trusted); distorted thoughts about the often try to avoid situations or anything that reminds them of thecause or consequences of the event leading to wrongly blaming traumatic event. self or other; ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame; much To be diagnosed with PTSD, someone must have beenless interest in activities previously enjoyed; feeling detached or exposed to a traumatic event. This could include firsthandestranged from others; or being unable to experience positive experience of the event, witnessing it taking place to others, oremotions (a void of happiness or satisfaction).being informed that a close family member or friend has gone4. Alterations in arousal and reactivity (two or more through something upsetting. Repeated exposure to horrificsymptoms): Arousal and reactive symptoms may include being details of trauma, such as those that fire fighters may witnessirritable and having angry outbursts; behaving recklessly or in a firsthand, can lead to the development of PTSD. This can beself-destructive way; being overly watchful of ones surroundings particularly true when it comes to responses concerning childrenin a suspecting way; being easily startled; or having problems who have been victimized and hurt. concentrating or sleeping.American Psychiatric Association, 20223 6'