What is this??
Ive spent the last several years in an environment being completely saturated with extreme violence. Ive been a first responder to multiple homicides, assaults with weapons and multi-casualty situations. Ive been covered in another human beings blood and felt the sternum of another person crumble under my hands while performing CPR. To say the least, I wasnt able to let my gaurd down for most of the last six years.
I accepted that these things were just part of the job and I had a good routine for my physical and mental health which kept me from losing it.
But I left that environment in June of 2018. I took another position, in another state and Im in a much safer place now. I can let my gaurd down without any threat of violence on me and no more witnessing the violence of others.
But then, out of the blue in December I started having what I thought was heart attacks. Crazy intense palpitations, blurred vision, short of breath etc. etc. I went to the emergency three times in ten days. The spectrum of tests show my heart is structurally sound. I havent slept more than 3 hrs at a time in months now.
My wife thinks its PTSD. I dont know whats going on. I gotta good job, happy family, just moved to an amazing place that we all love but Im more scared now to go into town or out to a restaurant than I was working in a high risk environment.
Can this be PTSD? just some kind of anxiety issue? What else could it be?
@littleHickory1529 We are not experts here, and we cannot provide a diagnosis. But from what I've read it sounds like you have been having panic attacks. You might have PTSD, but not necessarily. When you write "just some kind of anxiety issue" it makes it sound like anxiety issues are no big deal, but severe disabling anxiety disorders also exist. There are effective treatments. You can Google panic attack to find out more, but you'd get more reliable information by seeing a professional who has expert knowledge of these things.
If you'd like to chat to me about what's been happening anyway, just click on my profile and message me.
Charlie
@RarelyCharlie
my apologies to you and anyone else who interpreted my comment ( just an anxiety issue ) as though I was referring to anxiety issues other than PTSD as not debilitating. I know that isnt the case.
That was certainly not my intention but, was clearly my impact. Ill own the poor choice of words and extend my sympathy to anyone here looking for support. I would not want anyone going through any kind of rough time to try and do it on their own.
@littleHickory1529
i was working as a medical officer in ICU and after duty time i couldn't sleep for many days... i think it was my rush of adrenalin.. . or i don't know.. .