PTSD in nurses

[tsangia]

I am a former ER nurses for the busiest ER on the east coast. I left 3 years ago because it was " getting to me" I went back for my BSN and currently my MSN and now work in Management and love it.

A few weeks ago, my team and I were in a BLS class, when I experienced a flash back while conducting CPR on the dummy. I became panicky, but, calmed myself down. The flashback was of the last patient I conducted Chest compressions on prior to leaving. He came in Doa.

These flashbacks haven't left me since that night a few weeks ago, including others we have worked on that were young and died before their time. It's like a flip of a light switch, one minute I'm fine the next minute it's the past replaying these images in my head.

I contacted a psychologist waiting to hear back... I'm curious has anyone else experienced this?

I do not do patient care anymore. I'm wondering why now?

Thank you.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have experienced this...although not as severe. I just say a prayer for them and I'm able to move on.

I find that with my kids I was realy paranoid about injuries....like I placed all utensils upside down in the dishwasher as I cared for a child that had their heart impaled by falling on the dishwasher. They NEVER ate a whole hot dog until they were almot teens. I don't think they ever had a large marshmallow...I had a child that aspirated one and died because it became to tenacious we couldn't clear the lungs airway. I am still terrified every time they drive the car. But I am able to control it.

((HUGS)) it's tough.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

I personally think so, but I do not know if there is documented evidence of it or if the knowledge is widely known. Here is an article issued by the National Center for Biotechnology Information that acknowledges something: Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in health care provid... - PubMed - NCBI.

In addition, I know that there are services through mental health that work with ED health team workers and first-responders after a major incident. I think the justification is associated with the fact that health care workers can suffer from an anxiety and depressive disorder that are either similar to or the same as PTSD.

Do you work in a health care environment that will allow you to get help anonymously? Every hospital I have ever worked offered mental health services and referral associated with stress, anxiety, and depression related to the work envroment. They even offered mental health services after managers were fired due to the emotional attachments the staff was suspected of having for his/her manager. Good luck.

[NevadaFighter, BSN, RN]

I never had mental issues before, but at some point I developed anxiety during nursing school. I was able to get in under control (for the most part) by the time I started working, but it is still something I deal with everyday. Lately, I had some really really strange feelings coming over me that was very similar to what you are describing. I would get a terrible image in my head, that surely would not happen, but the possibility of it would, and it would scare the crap out of me. I wouldn't be able to shake the image and I didn't really understand why. I started doing a little research and decided that I was having obsessive/compulsive thoughts. It has since gone away, for the most part, but I was pretty much incapacitated for about a day. I also learned that just because one is having compulsive thoughts, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are OCD. I read about some techniques on how to control them, and it helped a little bit. I wish you luck with this issue. I know it's a terrible feeling, but it helps to know that you are not alone.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I never had any issues until I had an infant patient who drowned. We worked that kiddo for an hour, but it was futile. That night I had a dream (nightmare) that I was facedown in my bathtub and unable to move. It was terrifying. I talked about it with coworkers, it diminished. Then I went to Afghanistan. Haha! I thought I knew PTSD! Geez. That was rough and loud noises still make me jump, but I did better with the fireworks last night than I did with those on July 4th. I never know what is going to trigger a feeling, a memory, a fear. I just breathe and work through it. I saw some nasty stuff, it still bothers me, but doesn't hamper my functionality as a person. I applaud you for seeking help. I think it's one of those things that just kind of hovers beyond the horizon, and it can surprise you out of nowhere.