PTSD and Law Enforcement

 by Brian Warriner

            PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is often associated with the military. The combat veterans have been in many battle areas. However, I want to raise awareness among law enforcement. Especially with many putting their lives on the line to protect the community. Not those who are “dirty” cops who betray the community they were sworn to protect. Hell, the good cops deal with them because of the dirty ones, and the reputation of law enforcement throughout the country in these dark times. Not all cops are the same, but the trauma they experience in responding to calls is. Answering the call of a domestic dispute can turn into a shoot-out, or a traffic stop can turn deadly. Alternatively, maybe you are a rookie showing up to the first call of your career, and it is a multi-car accident with victims' bodies mangled. The sight of blood, open wounds, and it all is hitting you at once can leave a lasting impact. It is something that you will never forget. You have to jump in and do your job.

            Given the constant under-fire, the news stories we hear, and the public's views of law enforcement, things are not good. Because the “dirty” cops who go on power trips and racially profile, and believe the public does not know their rights. The political climate also does not help matters any, when you have police officers cooperating with ICE. The public has lost confidence in the police and various law enforcement agencies. There have been numerous cops murdered due to the public's view. Whether they are on duty or off, the trauma that they experience is traumatic to say the least.  Back in December, a Delaware cop was shot and killed at the DMV. Sometime ago in Philadelphia, a cop was delivering a warrant and was shot and killed. This led to a standoff between the police and the shooter.

            These experiences in being a cop can be traumatic experiences, when your friend, partner, brother, or sister in arms is shot and killed on the job or not. You may experience PTSD. With my nephew being a police officer, or cop, I am on high alert and worried. However, he is a fighter and has a lot to live for, and I am very proud of the man he has become. However, knowing what the police go through makes the protective uncle in me come out. I would fight a bear if it attacked any of my nieces or nephews. This is why I am writing this entry, because mental health disorders do not discriminate; they are equal opportunity employers.

What is PTSD?

            PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is defined by the DSM-5 as the development of characteristics or symptoms after experiencing one or more traumatic events (American Psychiatric Association, 2024). These events can be anything that causes trauma, such as sexual assault, war events, and even natural disasters. For law enforcement, this can be their first accident, responding to the numerous murders and the various calls that they have to respond to. Imagine being a police officer, and you respond to a call where a woman was beaten, raped, stabbed, and left for dead in a vacant lot. When you see the victim, you see her as someone’s child, someone’s daughter. Afterwards, you go home to your children and hug them. Events like this can be traumatic for a person. I have found it something that, as a homicide detective, you have experienced numerous murder investigations. It is difficult to experience while keeping your mind from going to the dark places this kind of trauma can cause.

            Post Traumatic Stress Disorder varies from person to person, with fear-based re-experiencing, emotional, and behavioral symptoms predominating. For others, it may be arousal and reactive-externalizing symptoms are prominent. While others may show signs of dissociation, some can experience a combination of symptoms. The DSM-5, which is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, was published by the American Psychiatric Association. Therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists use this manual to diagnose patients.

Statistics

            According to firstresponderswellness.com, 61% of police officers are screened positive for PTSD. The statistics of law enforcement having PTSD vary. However, nationwide, the rates of PTSD range from 7%-35%, which means approximately 19 % of officers may have PTSD. Where 35% of officers meet the criteria of PTSD, 38 % have experienced a significant impact of trauma.

            Unfortunately, some law enforcement agencies are teaming up with ICE and federal agents to commit illegal kidnappings and murders of people. Law enforcement is taking a hit. Moreover, the number of those who are suffering or living with PTSD is going up.

Symptoms and Signs

            There is a set of signs and symptoms that define PTSD. For law enforcement, the frequent exposure to traumatic events that involve children, accidents, natural disasters, and violent crimes is a concern. The lack of mental health treatment and support, and organizational stress, such as long shifts, disruptions to sleep and personal lives, and public scrutiny. All of these, mounted together over a long period of time, can cause a person to develop PTSD (Patel, 2025).

            The problem with the lack of mental health support is that it can affect officers' lives. It can lead to addictions, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, affect workplace performance, and issues in the community (Patel, 2025). It can make an officer unprofessional on the job and when dealing with the public, which can spill over and cause more issues than they intended.

Treatment

            Researchers have found evidence that Cognitive Behavior Therapy and/ or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing have been beneficial to the treatment of PTSD (Hasan, 2024). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a treatment that is backed by evidence that helps the client process their traumatic memories. It is achieved by engaging both sides of the brain through bilateral stimulation, such as tapping and sound (Positive Change Psychological Services, 2025).

             Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on changing negative thought patterns, behaviors, and beliefs once they have been identified. CBT is an evidence-based approach to treating PTSD (Team, 2024). Through the process, the client learns to identify triggers that influence their thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs. CBT has been known to treat anxiety, depression, and various other mental health disorders (Positive Changes Psychological Services, 2025).

            However, when combined with journaling, you can write out your thoughts, ideas, and behaviors and identify them through writing. Because I believe speaking to them does not cement them into your reality. When you journal them down, you cannot escape them. They are right in front of you in writing and clear as can be.  

            In conclusion, it is possible to have PTSD, and it becomes a managed disorder. I ask those in law enforcement to seek help if they feel they are dealing with PTSD to get some help. If your department does not have the resources, other agencies can help you. Ask around, ask your union, and even go to organizations that offer mental health services. Thank you for protecting our communities.

 

 

 

 

 

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2024). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association.

 

‌Team, N. editorial. (2024, August 22). PTSD in Police Officers: Comprehensive Guide to Treatment, Recovery, and Support. NeuroLaunch.com. https://neurolaunch.com/ptsd-treatment-for-police-officers/

 

Hazan, J. (2024, December 19). EMDR Therapy vs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Which is Right for You? Modern Therapy Group. https://moderntherapygroup.com/emdr-therapy-vs-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/

 

‌Positive Changes Psychological Services (2025, July 30). Positive Change Psychological Services. Positive Change Psychological Services. https://www.positivechangepsychological.com/articles/combining-emdr-therapy-with-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt-what-you-should-know

 

‌Patel, D. S. (2025, December 22). How Many Active Law Enforcement Officers Suffer From PTSD? - Advance Study. Advance Study. https://advancestudy.org/how-many-active-law-enforcement-officers-suffer-from-ptsd/

Breaking Societal Dialogue

 by Brian Warriner

            The sad truth is that it is often reflected in the stories we see depicted on television and in movies. When someone is in the hospital, their symptoms point to a psychological event. Especially when the patient is a minor and the parents are told their child has a psychological event, and they bring in a psychiatrist. Immediately, they shout that their child is not crazy. My question is, why does it have to go to that extreme?

            That is where parents draw the line in caring for their child. They demand that they be discharged and taken home. I understand that parents care about their children. However, they do not have medical degrees, nor do they believe there is something wrong, or they do not want to believe it. However, I believe that deep down, it scares them because it is something they cannot change or fix. However, it is no reason for the threats to sue, to take away the doctor’s medical license, or to sue the hospital when all they are doing is treating their child.

            Having a child who is experiencing a mental health crisis does not mean that they are crazy. Far from it, they have been dealing with a mental illness that has either been misdiagnosed or has flown under the radar. It took a traumatic event to bring it to the forefront. Medical drama shows are incorporating this into their storylines. I saw a show where a girl had severe abdominal pain. She had a bowel obstruction, and they went in surgically to remove the blockage. Only to find it was a hairball, the girl was under intense pressure from her mother, who believed she was eating her own hair. Over time, it formed into a ball and obstructed her intestines (Nowlan, 2013). Shows like Gray’s Anatomy, Chicago Med, The Resident, or The Pit. Many of us have watched these shows and been inside an emergency room and know it is not like that. That is because it is overly dramatic and exaggerated. It was an episode of Chicago Med where this child was being abused by his brother and was rushed to the hospital. As the doctor noticed something about the brother, he asked about blood and surgery, and made comments. Led the doctor to believe that their son was showing signs of being a sociopath. When the doctor discussed it with the parents, they blew up. How dare he make judgments on their son? They wanted to leave, but their son was not around. The monitors in the room began to sound, indicating that the brother was in danger. That was the proof the parents needed that their son was abusing his brother and taking joy in the abuse (Petrie, 2016).

            I want to clarify that I am not a parent and have no intention of becoming one. With everything going on in life, parents can get overwhelmed. They truly believe that they know what is best for their children. I believe it is in that block that they forget that they do not know everything and what is in the best interest of their children. It is because their emotions are in overdrive; you try telling a parent to calm down during a medical crisis when their children are involved. Moreover, watch the fireworks go off. With emotions running high, stress, and everything else going on, you want your child(ren) to be okay.

            However, society has embedded the idea that if you suffer from a mental health crisis, that automatically makes you “crazy”. If you have schizophrenia, people think you are “crazy.” The truth is that it stems from the negative stigma we have put on mental health. For centuries, if you had a member of your family with mental health issues, they were locked away from public view. Unlike Charles II of Spain, who, due to the history of inbreeding, had mental and cognitive disabilities, and was made King of Spain from 1665-1700 (Charles II| King of Spain, n.d). However, because of the physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional issues he lived with, he ruled only in name. He had a regency, which is when someone else makes decisions and takes on the act of ruling. For most of his life, it was his mother, Mariana of Austria, who ruled Spain until her death in 1695; thereafter, it was advisors and councilors who governed the country.

            We need to break the stigma around mental health and the shame that we have put on it. We are humans, and for as long as we have existed, there have always been mental health issues. This is nothing new to us, but the way people have clung to the old ways of thinking. The fact that we have celebrities discussing their mental health battles and even writing about them. Carrie Fisher, before her unexpected death, discussed her bipolar disorder. She wrote about it in her books like Postcards from the Edge and her one-woman show and memoir Wishful Drinking, in which she discusses her mental health battles.

            We also have Selena Gomez, Taraji P. Henson, Lady Gaga, Ryan Phillippe, Janet Jackson, and many more who have been open about their mental health issues. However, we are all susceptible to being diagnosed with a mental health disorder. We must start speaking up and discussing our mental health conditions, disorders, and issues. However, we need to reeducate ourselves to stop associating mental health with being crazy. We need to get rid of the shame that is forced upon people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. We need to let them know they are not alone. Parents, you do not know everything, and the accredited professionals have spent years studying to understand mental illness and how to treat it. That is how we developed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Medication, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychotherapy and many other treatments (NAMI, 2024).

            In conclusion, we need to fix the problem that society has created around mental illness. In fact, it is not going to be easy because it has taken hundreds of years to develop the stigma and shame. It will take time to break the stigma and end the shame. We are not alone in this world, even though it may feel that way. Parents, please do not disregard your child’s doctor when they order a psych evaluation, or have you and your child speak to a psychiatrist. They want the same thing that you do: they want your child to get better and go home. However, sometimes that road may get longer as the necessary things take their place to make sure your child and you have the right tools to deal with the mental illness, rather than hide in shame and in denial that it does not exist, because it does exist. Just be open to what they say. Because together we can break the stigma and end the shame.

 

References

Nowlan, C. (2013, January 17). Grey’s Anatomy. (Season 9, Episode 11).

            [Television Show Grey’s Anatomy]. ABC.

Petrie, D. (2026, April 19). Chicago Med. (Season 1, Episode 14).

[Television Show Chicago Med]. NBC.

Charles II| King of Spain. (n.d). Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/charles-ii-king-of-spain

NAMI. (2024). Mental Health Treatments. NAMI. National Association of Mental Illness

            https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/treatments/

 

How To Participate in Your Own Recovery

by Brian Warriner

            I am going to share my story with you all and how I participated in my own recovery. I entered therapy in 2022. Like everyone, I had a hell of a time during the pandemic. I was doing cyber school with my nephews, my aunt passed away unexpectedly, I was having health issues, plus my mom was going through cancer treatment for rectal cancer. It was a lot to handle, and I reached my limit. I entered therapy.

            I was lucky enough that my health insurance included mental health. It took some time to get assigned to a therapist. Then, after three sessions, my therapist left. I had to wait a couple of months till they hired and reassigned me to another therapist. I got reassigned to a new therapist, then I had a few sessions with them before they reassigned me to another therapist. It was interesting that my new therapist was a gay man who spoke truth to me. He had offered me many tools to implement.

            Additionally, the relationship that developed was therapeutic in nature. He would check me if I were out of line when I would talk about my actions and affirm me when I was doing the right thing. He listened and was present with me. Even though it was always a telephone session, I would ask him about things like Radical Acceptance, and he would send me some resources; we would then discuss how to implement it. He encouraged me to continue my advocacy for LGBTQIA+ Youth. But after over a year, we both felt that I had learned everything that I could in therapy. Additionally, he was taking a new job elsewhere. I honestly did not feel like waiting for another reassignment.

            I felt confident that I could handle whatever life threw my way. Before we parted ways, I realized that entering the mental health field was part of my calling. I began researching schools that offered degree programs in psychology and planned and implemented steps as I went along. I was accepted into Rowan College of South Jersey and began my associate's degree in September 2023. The school offers a 3+1 Program, which allows students who have completed their associate's degree to apply for enrollment. If you complete your junior year at a community college, then transfer to Rowan University for your Senior year. It was before I started school that I had the idea for this blog. The seeds were planted at that time and have slowly developed into what they are now. Right now, I am in my first semester of my junior year. I am slowly working towards getting my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

            I knew entering school what I wanted to do, and I had goals along the way. But it is the first semester of my first year. My dad became gravely ill. It looked like he was not going to make it. All of my siblings gathered, and I struggled to do schoolwork, be at the hospital, and stay on top of everything. I had missed deadlines on assignments. I had emailed my professors to explain what was going on to them. I did not believe I would make it through the first semester. I was going to drop out and start the next semester. My family begged me not too, they saw how important it was to me. I told them it was for the best, and as I tried to withdraw from the classes. My family said to me, “You sit this out and help where you can. You need to focus on school.” With my family’s support, I sat at the dining room table every day and went to work. The goal shifted from getting straight A’s to just passing the classes by giving them the best that I could. I passed my classes that semester.

            During this time, the school provided free mental health counseling to all students. I was overcome with emotion when I called their hotline one night to speak with someone. The other person listened, offered words of comfort, and made sure I was okay before hanging up. I realized that I needed to go back to therapy. Because I felt like I missed something, I started looking for a therapist. The first therapist I found, I thought, would be a good fit. But all they did was look at the screen, and I would see them typing. There was no back and forth. I need a back-and-forth dialogue. I found my current therapist, who is a great fit. She listens and affirms when needed, questions me when she thinks I need to reconsider my behavior, and is always there when I need her.

            The importance of therapy is that you start speaking about what you are holding on to. You verbally get it out of your system while you develop the tools and knowledge to deal with those issues. You learn about your triggers and the reasons behind them. You get to work on journaling, showing up to therapy on time, and sharing with your therapist. But also, if you are referred to as a psychiatrist for medication, or you choose to try holistic methods, or a combination of both. With your practitioners, you must have mutual trust and respect for each other. You must be honest with your therapist as well as with yourself. You must be willing to improve and put in the necessary effort to do so. The choice is yours to make.

            I shared my story and how I have participated in my recovery, as well as how I continue to do so. I attend my therapy sessions, I journal, I meditate, and I have constant discussions with myself to talk myself out of the thoughts that would bring me down. I have learned that when I am having a depressive episode, I can feel it coming on. From there, I can ride the wave of it, then I find a way out of it. Once I do, I make sure to have an appointment with my therapist to review what happened. I also journal, as if it's going out of style. But I also spend time outside in the sun and fresh air, which seems to help when I need a natural mood booster. The best thing is being outside, sitting on my front porch, and having a nice breeze while just sitting there.

            I wish you well on your journey to recovery. I hope what you read in this post helps you in your journey.

To Participate in Your Own Recovery

         ·        You have to want to get help. Seeking help is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.

         ·        Make your appointments, show up on time, and be honest with your therapist. You will get nowhere without being honest.

         ·        Do the work that your therapist has for you, whether that is journaling daily, affirmations, or daily meditation. Please do it for yourself.

        ·        Take it easy on yourself; you won’t get anywhere if you are constantly hard on yourself. It defeats the purpose of you getting better and making changes in your life.

        ·        Be consistent with your therapy and the work you are doing. Do not be afraid to ask questions and talk about things you are confused about and struggle with.

        ·        You get out of therapy what you put into it. This is similar to getting sober. What you put into it, you will get out of it. You learn to adjust to being a new person. 

 

The Benefits of Therapy

 by Brian Warriner

My Story with Therapy

            Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or psychoanalysis, is when you discuss the issues and achievements with a mental health professional. This dialogue can open the person up to tools and direction. When you are open to therapy, you are opening yourself up to change. In 2021, I entered therapy because I had thoughts that made me think I was Bipolar. My mom was going through a major health battle. As her caregiver, it was difficult. I was dealing with a lot, my aunt passed away unexpectedly months prior. It wasn't easy to deal with. But I was dealing with a lot from the past. I have been dealing with mental health and physical health issues. I was feeling very overwhelmed and on the verge of a breakdown. I am thankful that my insurance covered it. It took a while to be assigned a therapist, then once I had one, it was after two sessions that my therapist left. I needed to wait for a new therapist. Then I had to see someone who was also a therapist and psychologist.

            The therapist I was assigned to was also gay, and he made me feel comfortable enough to be open with him. He was able to help me. It was during this time that I realized I was meant to attend school and pursue my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He was instrumental in helping me come to terms with my purpose. I started the process with school, and I started preparing for school. But my time with him was short. He and I both felt I had progressed enough to end therapy.

            In 2023, after our family lost our fur baby KC, my dad and brother were in the hospital. Later in 2023, as I started my education path, my dad almost died. He was rushed to the hospital, and everyone arrived because it looked like he was going to die. I contemplated dropping out because I couldn’t focus on school. I struggled with schoolwork. But my family let me step back to focus on school. I struggled emotionally and mentally. My school offered free mental health counseling through an organization called Uwill. I started therapy again. At first, my therapist wasn’t the best; he only offered video sessions. He didn’t talk or engage with me. He would be quiet and type. I was able to switch my therapist.

            My therapist connected with me, and she offers phone sessions. We have a back and forth, and it challenges me to look at something with both eyes. To me, that is what therapy is about: challenging you, exploring thoughts, feelings, and emotions, as well as developing tools to help you get to the root of the issues. When I entered therapy, my aim has always been to get to the root of my mental health issues. And from there, understand how to deactivate my triggers by dealing with them. And you find your empowerment, happiness, and your confidence in yourself. Instead of looking outside of yourself.

            Therapy was and is my saving grace.

 

Why Enter Therapy

            The reasons why someone enters therapy are often personal and stress-induced. The reason why I entered therapy a second time was that I was dealing with a lot of stress from my dad being in the hospital and almost dying. But it has also led me to realize I still have issues to deal with. Journaling has been a part of my journey long before I entered therapy. To this day, I journal (which you can read about on my blog). It’s one of those things that has become one of my many passions.

            When things are rough, mentally taxing, and draining, life can become unbearable. This goes across the board for everyone. Couples are going to therapy to get to the root of what went wrong in their relationships. People enter support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or PFLAG. These support groups are like therapy because you are working toward sobriety or support. There are many different support groups for many populations. All aimed at supporting you through your journey. It’s considered group therapy. Having a support system is important when going through therapy. Having the right therapist is also important, as I discuss later in this post.

            The first clue I knew I needed to enter therapy was realizing that I couldn’t handle the stressors of life. It felt like a constant tsunami wave that was constantly hitting me. When I tried to catch my breath, I felt like I was overtaken. Regardless of how much I journaled, cried, and tried to take a breath. Nothing I did could help me. One night I had to call the Uwill Hotline because I was losing my mind. They helped me calm down, and from there, I was able to focus on my schoolwork. I knew from that moment on that I had to go back into therapy. It was again the best decision that I made.

            Having someone to talk to for 30 minutes or an hour does help you develop the skills we need to cope with stress. I understand that different cultures have different outlooks on therapy and mental health in general. But some things can’t be ignored or prayed over. No matter how you try to swing it. Mental Health is just as serious as any other health issue and deserves to be treated as such. In my life, I have been to the psych ward in a hospital, I have seen psychologists and therapists. I am not ashamed of it because this is how we break the stigma of mental illness. We do this by removing the shame that society enforces us to feel. In the past century, you locked your loved ones up in asylums for being mentally ill. The treatment they received was beyond inhumane. (We talk about this in another blog post.)

The Benefits of Therapy

            Once you have decided to reenter therapy and begin the therapeutic process, the benefits of improving communication skills include learning how to make healthier choices, resolving conflicts, and empowering yourself. But these aren’t the only benefits. You can develop coping skills to manage stress, restore lost trust, restore intimacy, and form a stronger bond (12 Rewarding Benefits of Therapy, 2024). This helps you build the trust lost, especially if you are the one who is going through addiction counseling. And you have to make amends. It allows us to have a subjective mind to see what our place in the situation is. For example, if we wronged someone and were the active participant in a fight. Then therapy would allow us to see what we did wrong and how we acknowledge our fault. It’s important to know we are not perfect and we make mistakes. We have to learn from them. We developed those skills in therapy and became mature enough to fix that behavior.

            When life stresses you out, you are allowed to apply those skills. As you learn and develop skills and benefit from the benefits of therapy, you start to figure out things. When you start to see a discussion escalating into an argument, it’s best to walk away because calmer heads prevail. Setting a boundary, by stating, “I walked away because it wasn’t a conversation, it was an argument, I will speak when I have calmed down.” If the person continues to push the issue, then they are not respecting the boundary. You need to hold firm. If you have to walk from one room to another or go outside, then do it. But never engage because they want you to lose your head.

            That’s something that I learned in therapy, the old me would have engaged, and then it would have turned into a fist fight. You grow and learn as you enter therapy, which is very important for your own sanity—knowing when to draw a boundary and stick to it and not budge. Applying what you learned and learning to grow as a whole person is key.

            Therapy is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Once you enter therapy, prepare to put in the work. If your therapist says Journal or do this or that. Do it. Because they know why you need to do this, just trust them and the process.

References

Lindberg, S. (2020, October 24). Benefits and Options for Therapy. Healthline.

            https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-therapy

12 Rewarding benefits of Therapy. (2024, May 10). American Federation of Teachers.

            https://www.aft.org/news/12-rewarding-benefits-therapy

Survivor's Guilt: The Pain of Losing Someone

 by: Brian Warriner

            Have you ever been through a situation and survived? Like a car accident where you were driving and your loved one who was in the passenger seat died. Alternatively, you are in a plane crash and your spouse dies, but you survive. You are left with questions about why you survived the accident or situation. Especially if in a disaster, at first you go into denial and blame everyone for the reason why your loved one died. Survivor’s guilt is a process, but it is not linear. I remember a television show where a man protected his children in a fire and lost his life. His wife blamed the firefighters who responded to the call for her husband’s death. She sued them when it came out that they were not at fault. I also remember how people can get angry and upset that they survived, and their loved one(s) did not.

            Granted that kind of pain is a given, I do not think I could comprehend that kind of pain. Where, every day after that, you are consumed by the events that led to the death of your loved one(s). It can replay in your mind, and you have persistent depression and anxiety. It would cause a person to question why or how you can go on without your loved one. Moreover, it is this constant thinking process that might drive a person to suicide, addiction, or dangerous behavior. I am aware that many cultures have their own perspectives on therapy, counseling, psychology, and psychiatry as a whole. However, seeking help allows you to adjust more effectively and lead a more fulfilling life.

            Survivor’s guilt can cause one to question their relationship with their higher power. Moreover, will ask questions, like “Why me?” “Why did I survive, and so in so did not?” “Why did you forsake me?”

            The truth is, it is not what you think. Moreover, to hear someone say, “Things happen for a reason,” or “It was just their time,” or “It was not your time either.” Hearing these statements makes you want to punch someone in the face because they are something you do not want to hear, even if they are true. It can be triggering for someone in the midst of the aftermath of a death. It is a situation where a person can become stuck in their head and thoughts. This can make things worse for you.

            A person suffering from survivor’s guilt may feel numbness and disconnected from reality, shame, and sadness, and regret over perceived inaction or inability, anxiety, and depression. They may also experience social withdrawal, deal with insomnia, and have low self-esteem. This does make their world feel like a never-ending hell, especially if the person is a veteran who has been in the combat zone and saw their friends die right in front of them—or seeing them in an explosion. Veterans can experience PTSD and survivor’s guilt.

            While I was reading on a website, verywellmind.com, where survivors’ guilt could be a symptom of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), it is also possible that survivor’s guilt can be presented as a mood and stress disorder (Cherry, 2021).

            According to choosingtherapy.com, there are many scenarios where a person may also encounter episodes or bouts of survivor’s guilt, such as through natural disasters, genocides, such as what is happening in Gaza, and school shootings. Mass shootings. Wars can cause people to suffer from survivor’s guilt (Waichler, 2023). Every one of these situations has played out before our eyes. Furthermore, it can lead those involved, more importantly, those who survived these acts, to develop any more of the mental disorders or a combination of them.

            I will always recommend that if you have feelings of survivor’s guilt, grief/ bereavement, and suicidal thoughts, I recommend that you reach out to a mental health facility or the local emergency room. You need to seek help if you are having a mental health medical emergency.

 

Resources

Cherry, K (2021, February 20). Tips for Managing Survivor’s Guilt. Very Well Mind

            Https://www.verywelmind.com/survivors-guilt-4688743

Waichler, I. (2023, November 7). Survivor’s Guilt: Why It Happens and 7 Ways to Cope.

Choosing Therapy. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/survivors-guilt/

 

How to Create Easy Make-shift Journal Pages For On The Go

by Brian Warriner

This is so easy to do that I overlooked it. Now, if you are an avid journaler like me. I don’t carry my journal with me everywhere I go, so when my anxiety starts to kick in. I do this to create journal pages for myself. If you are in the hospital, emergency room, at school, at work, or anywhere else, you may be. You don’t have your journal on you. I find this to be an easily accessible alternative. Then you slide it into the pages of your journal. Or tape a pocket for it on the inner cover.

The Steps

1.      Grab some computer paper, the white 8.5 in x 11 in. Turn it sideways so the long side is horizontal.

 

2.      Then fold it in half. Flatten the crease on the paper. It helps the other pages to fit together when you put them together.  

     

 

 

 

 

3.      Do this with a few pieces of paper. If you write on them front and back, with four pages, it gives you 16 pages to use for journaling.  

 

   

4.      Once you have your pages folded, insert them into each other. This helps to keep the pages together. This way, you don’t lose them.

5.      You have a little booklet. Make sure you number them as you write on the pages. And put your name on the pages and keep them safe until you put them into your journal.