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| Grief Line - The Heart Behind The Badge |
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Grief line is not intended to violate or intrude on anyones privacy, it's main purpose is for our nation's heroes to have a place to share their experiences without judgement or prejudice. |
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" What is life?
Life is a gift...accept it
Life is an adventure...dare it
Life is a mystery...unfold it
Life is a game...play it
Life is a struggle...face it
Life is beauty...praise it
Life is a puzzle...solve it
Life is opportunity...take it
Life is sorrowful...experience it
Life is a song...sing it
Life is a goal...achieve it
Life is a mission...fulfill it"
--- Taken from Even Eagles Need a Push ---Author David McNally
The traumatic loss of loosing a partner, brother, sister, husband, wife, father, son or daughter is a long healing process for all those involved and too often survivors are reluctant to share their feeling of grief, pain because they don't want to be a "burden" to their friends and family. But grief line is not intended just to deal with the grief relating from death but also with the stress of everyday life.
Unfortunately police officers tend to leave their problems in their locker not realizing that there is only so much their locker will hold. This denial can eventually lead to far more serious problems among them Post traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] and ultimately suicide.
I hope the information I’ve gathered from different sites as well as professional medical advice on stress, PTSD will help you cope with everyday stress.
Two things that help cope with stress are humor [a good old laugh] and sharing those experiences with others that have been exposed to similar situations therefore grief line comes complete with a message board where you are welcome to post any question or offer your feedback as well as a chat room and a scrap book where I've posted stories submitted by other officers, my own experiences and mail I have received over the past 2 months.
Police officers, by the nature of their jobs, can be exposed to more stress and trauma in one day than many people will experience in a considerable period of time, maybe even their entire life. Some police officers thrive on stress. They seek out incidents that most people would not care to encounter in their lifetime. Many people seek out a job in police work for this challenge and the personal rewards it provides. Overcoming stress of great magnitude can provide great personal rewards, but these jobs can and do ruin many lives.
" Life is no brief candle to me.
It is a sort of splendid torch, which I have got a hold of for the moment,
And I want to make it burn as brightly as possible
Before handing it on to future generations."
--- George Bernard Shaw
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] may come on silently. It is a very progressive illness that becomes more severe year after year if left untreated. It will eventually consume those victims who have experienced trauma beyond what their minds are able to comprehend or deal with at one time.
For a variety of reasons, some of which are not known, many police officers work through Post Traumatic Stress and its affects. The impact of Post Traumatic Stress on their lives is short-lived (if they suffer from it at all). In the Diagnostically and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), this is defined as Acute Stress Disorder. It's lasts more than two days, but no longer than 4 weeks.
There are those, however, that will not be able to cope with the Post Traumatic Stress they have encountered. They may have handled many traumatic incidents without a problem, until one happens that breaks through their ability to cope. These officers will develop what is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is Acute Stress Disorder that lasts more than 4 weeks. In their book on "Emergency Services Stress", Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Dr. Grady Bray estimate that without proper Post Trauma Stress training, response, and follow-up, roughly 4% of all emergency workers will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
PTSDPTSD
Is a serious illness and is defined and diagnosed by certain symptoms a person exhibits. It affects a person physically, mentally, and emotionally to the point it is life altering. The symptoms people with PTSD exhibit are extreme and typically adversely impact their lives everyday. To cope with these symptoms they may develop addictions. It can destroy their marriage and other relationships, and cause some of them to commit suicide. PTSD is not something to be taken lightly.
Physical :
Fatigue
Vomiting or Nausea
Chest Pain
Twitches
Thirst
Weakness
Insomnia or Nightmares
Breathing Difficulty
Muscle Tremors
Grinding of Teeth
Profuse Sweating
Pounding Heart
Diarrhea or Intestinal Upsets
Headaches
Behavioral:
Withdrawal
Pacing & Restlessness
Emotional Outbursts
Anti-Social Acts
Suspicion and Paranoia
Inability to Rest
Loss of Interest in Hobbies
Increased Alcohol Consumption
Other Substance Abuse
Emotional:
Anxiety or Panic
Guilt
Fear
Denial
Irritability
Depression
Intense Anger
Agitation
Apprehension
Am I Stressed Out...?
If you experience the symptoms below, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder may be starting to show its early signs. Please see a doctor, as well as a qualified Police Stress Therapist, to discourage the disorder from getting worse.
Headaches
Fatigue
Pounding Heart
Digestive Upsets
Teeth Grinding
Light Headedness
Lowered Sex Drive
Irritability
Short-temper
Backaches
Muscle Aches
Loss or Gain in Weight
Insomnia
Restlessness
Muscle Tics
Drinking too much
" When the odds are against me I prove them wrong,
When all else fails I succeed,
When all else ceases to live I breathe,
When all turns to ashes from it I rise,
So it doesn't matter what you throw at me or what you do,
I am, I do, that's all that matters."
--- Heather Griggs
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