Most of the public associates the phrase "first responder" with police, firefighters and EMTs/paramedics -- and well they should -- but increasingly, security officers can be included in that group. Because they are embedded at institutions like hospitals, malls, or schools, security officers are often the first to respond to a traumatic situation, and that opens them up for developing post-traumatic stress disorder. -- IFPO.

 

ByKate Gillie, Curator and Founder of the

Ever read an article on PTSD and wondered, “Does my spouse have this?”

Here are 5 signs that do not necessarily mean your spouse has PTSD, but that there are problems that shouldn’t be ignored:

1. VORTEX OF NUMB

Does your spouse come home from work and sit in the “vortex chair”? Every time the chair is approached you will hear the same phrase muttered—“what a day!” or “I’m fried”—followed by the switching on of the TV, iPad or computer. At this point, your spouse is checked out.

To figure out how bad things are, walk slowly towards the vortex chair and start up a conversation, ignoring nonsense responses like “sure, babe” or “sounds good,” etc.

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Continue with your questions or statements while you step between the vortex chair and the electronic device. If your spouse sees you, touches you, even moves you out of the way, things aren’t too bad. If your dearest beloved simply leans to one side without saying a word, pull the rip chord. It’s bad.
2. GLASS TEST

Imagine stress as water and our ability to handle stress as an empty glass. Normal folks without PTSD start each day with an empty glass, and as the day goes on, that glass slowly fills. Someone with PTSD starts out their day with their glass already three-quarters full.

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Watch your spouse on a normal off-duty day with regular life stresses: How quickly does the glass overflow, and were those stresses “normal”? If they were, and the threshold of being overwhelmed was noticeably low (being overwhelmed will appear as tantrums, loss of temper, storming out, tears, etc.), bang the big red button on the dash.

3. WHATEVER WASTELAND

Do you find yourself with an adult child in the house? One that no longer makes decisions or takes responsibility unless told to? “Surprise me” is not an answer, it’s a suicide note written to your once great love affair. Keep a diary for a week: How many times did your off-duty spouse take the lead at home, make decisions and do anything without being asked (100 times)?

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If your lover has morphed into a non-verbal teenager, it’s time to make an appointment with the head doctor before you can’t remember why you ever fell in love.

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