Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

[Guest]

Hello, I'm a 35yom that has been going through some what has been diagnosed as PTSD for the past 6 months. I have been a paramedic for 13yrs and in the past year I have had some very scary/near death experiences. Once all these incidents accumulated, I was having panic attacks. Especially focusing around my fear of death. I was seeing a counselor, on medication, took time off, etc. I was feeling better but now some stressful events have triggered the panic attacks again and my fear of death is consuming me again. I do realize that death is inevitable, I just haven't accepted it yet. Part of me has some comfort that when and if I make it into my elderly years that acceptance will be there, hopefully.
I know that my fear of death has alot to do with my occupation and my exposure to a great deal of death and destruction. I do have a good family support system as well as friends. I do talk as much as I can about this without trying to be overwhelming. I trully want to continue on with my life without having this fear. I know it will take time, but I am afraid of something terrible happening that will put me in this situation again and not being able to help anyone I care about or do my job. I realize I can't control everything. I would like to have some control over this so I can continue with day to day activities.

[Guest]

PTSD and Anxiety can be quite hard to get a hold of. Medication including the serotonergic agents, EMDR and specific forms of therapy have been shown in some but not all studies to have benefits. Some SSRI agents have enough data to support FDA approval. It is hard to return to the original stressor, i.e. workplace. I would continue to try and seek help. We all will die, but denial and reason tell us that if we worry about it endlessly we will waste the time we do have. Carlos Castenada advised that we look at death as our friend and try to live our lives so that if we were struck down, we would have no regrets. Of course, all this is easier said than done, good luck.
[quote] Hello, I'm a 35yom that has been going through some what has been diagnosed as PTSD for the past 6 months. I have been a paramedic for 13yrs and in the past year I have had some very scary/near death experiences... [/quote]