How do firefighters handle stress?

In addition to finding professional support, firefighters are encouraged to self-manage their individual stress levels by incorporating activities such as exercise, meditation, and hobbies into their routine. Exercise: Exercise is a superb way of relieving stress.

How stressful is being a firefighter?

They risk heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation and serious injury while on the job, and even the state of anticipation preceding a major threat can be highly stressful in itself. Firefighters are also sometimes required to spend long hours outdoors in bad weather.”

Do firefighters get stressed?

Compared with the general population and most other occupations, firefighters face higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, alcoholism, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and tobacco use — and they also are more likely to resist mental health support, according to data from USFA, the National …

Can you be a firefighter with anxiety?

They must be able to organize a great deal of information in a short period of time under extreme mental, physical and psychological conditions. People who have a history of not handling stress well, or are prone to overreact (for example, have ever had a panic attack), do not make good firefighters.

What is Firefighter PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a trauma and stress-related disorder that can develop after exposure to an event in which death or severe physical harm occurred[2]. PTSD affects about 8 million Americans and is often coupled with depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders.

Is being a firefighter depressing?

In general population, the rates of PTSD and depression might be as low as 1.9\% and 10\%, respectively. Yet higher rates are seen in firefighters and other rescue workers exposed to human disasters, 17\% and 22\% for PTSD and depression, respectively [6].

Can firefighters have depression?

Depression: An Unseen Side Effect: The potentially traumatic events you experience on the job may leave you with unseen scars: depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Left untreated, these behavioral health conditions can worsen over time and lead to substance use disorder and even suicide.

Do firefighters suffer from PTSD?

Rates of PTSD in Firefighters Given that traumatic exposure is common among firefighters, it is not surprising that high rates of PTSD have been found. Studies have found that anywhere between approximately 7 percent and 37 percent of firefighters meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD.

Is being a firefighter traumatic?

Given that traumatic exposure is common among firefighters, it is not surprising that high rates of PTSD have been found. Studies have found that anywhere between approximately 7 percent and 37 percent of firefighters meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD.