My life with CPTSD and my effort to find first responders and frontline workers who need help and direct them to the resourses they need.

Here for all but especially focused on finding retired or former first responders and frontline workers who face unique obstacles.

This is my personal experience with CPTSD and is not medical advice.

Some content may be triggering to some but I want to give an honest view of my life with CPTSD

I have CPTSD from working in EMS and I have for over half my life. It has caused many medical problems and completely consumed my life causing suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, helplessness and self inflicted isolation not to mention the medical problems. It is an intense struggle every day of my life.

Throughout the years I have learned quite a bit about CPTSD. While my goal is to get those who need help to that help, I want everyone to see the reality of what it does to those who suffer. Seeing the reality of my struggles with CPTSD may help someone recognize it in themselves or a loved one and recognizing that none of this hell is normal….it is reality… it IS how our brain reacts and symptoms of the big picture. It’s something to recognize and it’s OK to seek help…. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

This is my journey and what has worked for me and what hasn’t along with the ups and downs.

PTSD vs. CPTSD

This is a common question and I will be addressing this quite a bit. I use the terms interchangeably when referring to myself but when it comes down to it Complex-PTSD (CPTSD) is PTSD on steroids that cause issues way beyond the underlying incident(s).

Check out my PTSD vs CPTSD page…

Update

This site is coming along. I have a hard time getting all the thoughts in my head into an easy to understand format. I am working on a better format for the Resources page right now to add better sorting and filtering.

I am also trying to set up some kind of group meetings/meet-ups for current, retired or former first responders and frontline workers for support from peers about the unique challenges we face.

I work on these when I can and have not set any timeline but I am hoping to get a good plan by spring.

More to come…

Why “Out of the field”?

Retiring or leaving a career as a first responder/frontline worker (Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatch) is rarely a simple “slow down.” For many, the transition involves a profound shift in identity and the sudden arrival of physical and mental health issues that were previously suppressed by the demands of the job.

Check out my Why “Out of the field”? page…

Sign In

Don't have an account yet? Register

Forgot password?

Register

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.