COURSE: Chaplains Program TITLE:
Post Traumatic Stress Syndromes
PREPARED BY: Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police DATE PREPARED: August 2002
LESSON GOAL:
To provide an understanding of the Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome as it pertains to law enforcement and demonstrate effective approaches in association affected agency personnel.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
As a result of this block of instruction, the student will be able to:
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– 1. recognize the type of events that can trigger Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome;
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– 2. recognize various informal preparations of past influences that play a role in shaping us and our attitudes;
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• 3. recognize various formal preparations which help shape our professional attitudes and image;
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• 4. describe the various agency and non- agency personnel who typically arrive on the scene of an officer shooting; and
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• 5. understand the various reactions that can occur as a result of a shooting incident.
The primary issues to be examined and discussed in this course are:
* the type of events that can trigger Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
* various informal preparations of past influences that play a role in shaping us and our attitudes
* various formal preparations which help shape our professional attitudes and image
* various agency and non-agency personnel who typically arrive on the scene of an officer shooting
* the various reactions that can occur as a result of a shooting incident
A. Informal Preparation
• Childhood heroes
• Television and movie • War stories
B. Formal Preparation
• Police Academy
• Weapons Training
• Standard Operating Procedures • Department Guidelines
• Role Playing
• Stress-reduction techniques
C. Agency Response
• Department Personnel
– Command Staff --Crime Scene Techs – Internal Affairs --Family Members
• Media • Public • Family
D. Officer Reactions
• 1. Isolation
• 2. Physical Effects
• 3. Emotional Effects
• 4. The Cross-Over Syndrome
E. Other Possible Early Reactions
• Fear
• Denial
• Anger
• Replay • Guilt
• Concern
F. Possible Protracted Reactions
- Sensory Distor4on:
- Flashbacks:
3. Fear of Insanity:
4. Regret:
5. Crying at odd times and places:
6. Reaffirming of life:
7. Nightmares:
G. Responses From Others
1. Inappropriate Responses
2. Appropriate Responses
To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least 1 month:
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• At least one re-experiencing symptom
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• At least one avoidance symptom
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• At least two arousal and reactivity
symptoms
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• At least two cognition and mood symptoms
Re-experiencing symptoms including
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• Bad dreams
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• Frightening thoughts
Avoidance symptoms include:
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• Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience
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• Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the trauma3c event
Arousal and reactivity symptoms include:
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• Being easily startled
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• Feeling tense or “on edge”
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• Having difficulty sleeping
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• Having angry outbursts
Cognition and mood symptoms include:
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• Trouble remembering key features
of the traumatic event
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• Negative thoughts about oneself
or the world
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• Distorted feelings like guilt or
blame
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• Loss of interest in enjoyable
activities
Test Questions
• 1. Which of the following event best describes a trigger for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome:
a. death of a child
b. birth of a child
c. the loss of your vehicle
d. demotion in rank
• 2. Which of the following is NOT considered an informal preparation of past influences that play a role in shaping us and our attitudes
a. childhood heroes
b. a parent
c. a teacher
d. dreams
• 3. True or False: Departmental guidelines and standard operating procedures offer personal support for the officer involved in a shooting incident as well as advice on related legal issues.
• 4. Which of the following describes the various agency and non-agency personnel who typically arrive on the scene of an officer shooting:
a. chief or deputy chief
b. supervisors
c. crime scene investigators
d. all the above
5. ________________ is the impact on the officer involved in a shooting incident when he/ she is treated as an offender making him/her feel that everyone and everything is against him/her.
a. The China Syndrome
b. The Cross-Over Syndrome
c. The Isolation Syndrome
d. Relative Psychosis