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| By Robert Rabe |
Every critical incident has similarities, and differences. In
addition, every law enforcement officer's reaction to an incident is individual
as well. Some officers go through the process of integrating the experience
into their psyche without difficulty. Usually this is with the help of
others (peer group counseling, debriefings). It is difficult to an
effectively process an incident alone. The family is one of the primary
contacts for processing stressful incidents. But what can the family possibly
do to help the officer?
The family can make sure that nothing is overlooked, especially,
if medication is needed. But sometimes medication or even intervention
isn't enough. If the officer has become sullen and melancholy, they are a
different person than before the critical incident and onset of PTSD. At
this point, the family becomes the secondary victim, and loyalty is tested.
The spouse and the children can suffer from secondary PTSD, which is not
widely recognized or discussed in the mainstream media. Secondary PTSD is
based on the concept, that those who care for or interact with the primary
individual who suffers from PTSD, can also become traumatized.
Secondary PTSD results from having knowledge of a critical
incident experienced by another individual and the stress from helping.
Secondary PTSD is nearly identical to PTSD except the exposure
to the critical incident is indirect. Today, many law enforcement
personnel and their families suffer from PTSD and the battle that rages within.
But the good news is that PTSD and Secondary PTSD are treatable. The next
step is helping families to learn the characteristics of Secondary PTSD and
where to look for help.
Characteristics of Secondary PTSD Checklist:
(Dr. Oscar Ramirez)
FEAR:
Spouse fears what might happen
the next time the officer has another fit of rage.
Spouse fears the officer will
someday leave and abandon the family and never come back.
Spouse fears what might happen to
the officer when they are not home.
Spouse fears “middle of the night
surprises."
Spouse feels "if just one
more thing happens, I'll lose my mind."
