MIRACLE CURE for PTSD!

MIRACLE CURE for PTSD!

Searching for answers? Searching for some source of renewed hope? You are not alone. All of us that are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Injuries are grasping at anything and everything that might help. I’ve noticed as Responder PTSD gets more notoriety and attention that the number of miracle cure programs, self help books and snake oils are popping up. They come with a price. Not just a monetary cost but also with a cost to your mental and physical health. Unfortunately even with proven programs there is no one size fits all miracle cure. For us that are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Injuries it is a very difficult process to sort through the options, seek out programs and try to budget money, time and mental stress of starting a program.

Now we have the added weight of the fast hustle and quick buck cons. People that see us as an easy target money maker with little or no clinical basis. We have become easy pray because we are desperate for anything that may restore some hope of normalcy back to our lives. Unfortunately we must even be cautious and skeptical of programs founded by mental health professionals that have no experience with first responders or even PTSD. Becoming a victim of one of these can do more harm than good. For those walking on the edge, being a victim of a hustle or even receiving invalidated treatment can be life threatening.

As responders we “follow our gut”, if something seems wrong, something is most probably wrong. Back when I was an engine company officer, part of my “new person” briefing was, even as the newby, if something doesn’t seem right or feel right bring it to my attention. It may save us from disaster. We all know as responders we have a specific objective and it is easy to get sucked into tunnel vision. This applies to our Post Traumatic Stress Injuries also. We are so desperate for answer that it is easy for us to get tunnel vision and stop evaluating the entire situation.

First and foremost fall back on your training that has served you well. Be diligent and do a “Size Up”. Gather as much information as possible, from as many sources as possible. Responders are very good at processing a lot of information in a short amount of time. If (and this is a big IF) we give ourself the opportunity to process. Trust your sixth sense. If it doesn’t seem right, back away. Even if you have invested money, time, emotional commitment, if it doesn’t seem right for you back off and reevaluate.

We all have different beliefs in God and religion. If the “help” is founded around religious beliefs, check that its inline with your religious beliefs. When we are vulnerable it is easy for us to get swept up into, if all these people believe it, it must be true. Hustlers are good at the sales pitch and claiming to be faith based or a faith organization can be a caution or red flag.

Be cautious of programs that don’t have a clinical bases or clinical outcomes. Even grassroots programs should have some clinical bases and supervision. Horseback riding, fishing, hunting, hiking, yoga, etc… are all great grounding exercises. All have some benefit, however, make sure you know what you are signing up for. Some of these are a part of a clinician supervised, validated process to help healing. While some are just an activity. Look for programs that are under some type of credentialing or validation or recognized standard.?

And finally one of my biggest red flags is how much is this going to cost me. Validated programs come in many forms. If a program is grant funded, funded by alumni of the program, or is third party funded and its little or no cost to the participants, this further validates the program to me. If your health insurance covers all or part of the costs it validates that it is a recognized program.

Remember that even a well intentioned program by unqualified people can be harmful. You have been injured. You can heal. Like with any physical injury seek out proper treatment and therapy to heal.

Steven Schreck ret. Batt. Chief, Firefighter, EMT