Page 41 - Total War on PTSD

There is also a huge sector of the population that is very at risk for developing trauma and anxiety from this pandemic. This sector of the population is one that we have been forced to expect considerable effort from and not consider the repercussions of these needs due to the severity of the situation. In large-scale catastrophes, such as the coronavirus outbreak, first responders, including nurses, ambulance and social workers, are at a higher risk of developing anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. First responders endure significantly increased assignments, wear protective gear for extended periods, while meticulously following contagion control procedures, which puts them at risk for stress, anxiety and PTSD.
Although there has been much concern on the mental health crisis that is occurring related to the coronavirus pandemic, much of this information has fixated on the anxiety, panic, and fear that many are facing. While this is important something that has not been discussed is the psychologically traumatic nature of what our nation, and our world in general is now experiencing. This pandemic is very rapidly causing a psychological trauma crisis. Healthcare workers who are on the front lines of this situation are the most at risk. These individuals who go into work every day and are faced with making life and death decisions about the patients they interact with are the most at risk for some type of anxiety or PTSD. They are increasingly faced with the life-or-death decision of going to work each day, for fear of exposing themselves or their family to this virus.
Many of these healthcare workers are working long hours while facing something they have never seen before on a global scale. The experience is one that requires an immense amount of
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