Heroes Need Healing Too: 5 Signs You Might Be Ready for Trauma Therapy

Heroes are people who are admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. The ongoing pandemic brought many challenges to the past few years, bringing a new definition of "hero."

Essential workers were crucial to the world, especially during the pandemic. First responders like doctors, nurses, hospital staff, EMTs, fire departments, and police departments were all classified as "essential workers" throughout the pandemic. When the entire world was quarantined, essential workers had to go about their day as if everything was normal.

But the pandemic was far from normal. The pandemic is still ongoing, and there are serious effects of prolonged exposure to trauma and stress. Heroes need healing too. Here are 5 signs you might be ready for trauma therapy:

1. You have anxiety.

A lot of people faced and still face anxiety due to the ongoing pandemic. They say you should never bring work home with you. A work-life balance is key for a healthy life. But what happens when work consumes you?

As an essential worker during a pandemic, especially a quarantine, you are one of the few people still working each day. Your career is critical and crucial for the world to function. It can feel like the world is literally sitting on your shoulders. Due to this, it can be even harder to have a work-life balance. You work an extremely hard and stressful day, and it can be hard to come home and unwind when you are already thinking about what tomorrow might bring.

If the anxiety is consuming you or you feel out of control, you may be experiencing trauma.

2. You feel guilty.

A change in mood could be your body and mind telling you that you need help. Essential workers put their lives on the line to help others during the pandemic. They put their feelings and health aside throughout the entire pandemic. When everyone else was quarantined, essential workers masked up. They were forced to be in close contact with people who tested positive for COVID, putting themselves at risk and their friends and family at risk. The days, weeks, months, and years added up, and unfortunately, we are still dealing with the pandemic.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish. If you are experiencing feelings of guilt or shame, do not let those feelings get in the way of taking a day to rest and recharge or reaching out for help.

3. You are easily startled.

Another sign of trauma is a shift in your behaviors and reactions. The shift could involve mood swings, irritability, or outbursts. When your body is under stress, it often responds by choosing to fight or flight. A person who is experiencing trauma may become frightened or startled more easily. Your body may be planning for danger, so you may even have difficulty sleeping and concentrating day-to-day.

Your mind-body connection is telling you that something is wrong. Do not ignore it. These changes could eventually lead to self-destructive behaviors, especially if left untreated.

4. You have flashbacks.

Memories can be extremely triggering. When working as an essential worker during a pandemic, you hear and see things that can be extremely difficult to handle. You may not want to relive certain situations, but sometimes your mind will not let you forget about them. Reliving the event through flashback memories can cause increased anxiety and stress.

5. You are disconnected.

When experiencing trauma, your mind may try to disconnect itself from reality to create a safe space. This may not seem like a huge deal, but it can be. This "safe space" will cause you to become extremely isolated and alone. When you are ready, talk to someone to help you work through the trauma you face. A friend, family member, or therapist will help you feel connected again.

Do not ignore your distress signals. Heroes need saving too. It is okay to ask for help along the way.

Click here for more information on Counseling for First Responders.