Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics face much higher rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general public. The suicide rate among EMTs is also more than double.[1]Â
EMTs and paramedics are exposed to incredibly challenging situations on a daily basis. EMT mental health treatment is important because mental health conditions and the extreme stress of the job can take a massive toll at work and at home.Â
Understanding the pressures on EMTs and paramedics and the support available is critical for helping those in these highly demanding roles. This article will cover:
Working as an EMT puts strain on both the body and the mind, and this strain does not go unnoticed. Research has shown that EMT personnel with heavy workload demands had measurable disruptions to their body’s stress-regulation system.[2]
Cortisol is a stress hormone, and when it’s activated too often, it can take a major toll on the body, especially your cardiovascular system. One review in the medical literature found that a combination of both chronic and acute stress was a major risk factor for future cardiovascular disease. That’s on top of the already-elevated rates of sleep disruption and obesity.[3]Â
Emergencies trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response system — the same one that makes your heart beat fast during anxiety — and EMT workers experience this activation potentially dozens of times per shift. Over weeks, months, and years of doing the job, that’s a massive burden placed on the body.
EMT and paramedic work involves constant threat assessment and split-second decisions, along with chronic trauma exposure and even the potential for injury. Over the course of a career, the stress that all of this causes can result in serious personal and workplace difficulties, including first responder burnout.
On top of all that, EMS work has a culture of pushing through no matter what. This can prevent people in the role from taking the time and steps needed to fully process their experiences. That can make things worse for many EMTs who are already struggling with their mental or physical health.Â
Research on EMT and paramedic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has found that it often occurs alongside other mental health conditions like depression, with elevated rates in the same population.[4] This lines up with our understanding of PTSD in general.[5]Â
A single traumatic incident can cause PTSD on its own. But emergency medical trauma can also build up over years of service, making things more complicated. Each incident might not seem traumatic on its own, but the accumulated weight can wear down your capacity to cope in the long-term.Â
As explained above, depression and anxiety are common dual diagnoses with PTSD. Experiencing chronic stress, disrupted sleep, and the emotional weight of the job — even without trauma — can cause or exacerbate mental health concerns.Â
Recognizing these distinct but often co-occurring conditions is important, since treating PTSD alone without attending to underlying depression or anxiety can complicate the recovery process.Â
Everyone is different, but it might mean starting medication for depression alongside trauma therapy, or working on sleep and mood issues before you dig into the most traumatic memories.
In most jobs, ordinary feelings of fatigue can be taken care of with enough rest and quality sleep. But compassion fatigue is different. It builds up from repeated exposure to other people’s suffering, and it tends to show up in a distinct set of symptoms that don’t improve with rest. These include:
One study found that among EMTs who screened positive for burnout, more than 75% also screened positive for compassion fatigue. A similar amount shared signs of vicarious trauma.[6]
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Most emergency departments have some kind of system for talking it through after a difficult call. But the research on how much that actually helps is mixed.
One recent review found that single-session debriefing hasn’t consistently prevented the development of PTSD. Some studies found it interfered with the recovery process for some EMTs.[7]
However, that doesn’t mean that real peer support doesn’t matter. Talking with colleagues, trusted friends, and loved ones about your experiences can still prevent you from isolating and shutting down. When you keep those connections up, you’re more likely to notice when something’s wrong, in yourself or in a coworker, before it gets worse.
Grounding techniques used in the field and after a call can be helpful. For example, naming what you can see, hear, and touch around you can interrupt racing thoughts and help you center before the next call. It doesn’t process or resolve what’s happening underneath, but it can provide temporary immediate relief.
Recovery from occupational trauma might mean working with a therapist on specific memories and processing the stressors of the work. EMTs and other medical professionals often feel as if talking to a professional is a sign of weakness or something that could jeopardize their standing. But everyone is deserving of support, and seeking help should never get in the way of your career.
EMT work can make finding and accessing help difficult. Shifts often run anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, with mandatory overtime turning a planned day off into another shift on the heels of the last one.
Certification fears can keep EMTs and paramedics quiet. Some first responders worry that disclosing an issue like depression or anxiety could impact their National Registry certification or their standing with a contractor.
Here’s the distinction that matters: seeking help on your own is not the same as being ordered into treatment by a review board. Getting care for your mental health voluntarily is a private medical decision that is fundamentally different from being deemed unfit for duty.
Asking for support can help ensure you receive treatment for the things that jeopardize your ability to do your job effectively, such as untreated burnout and unmanaged PTSD.
There are evidence-based treatment modalities that can support recovery, including:
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Anxiety support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
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If EMT work has left you feeling like you’re running on fumes, AMFM (A Mission For Michael) Mental Health Treatment is here to support you. Our team of expert clinicians believes in treatment persistence and will personalize your treatment plan so you can achieve lasting, life-changing outcomes.
We offer an intimate, focused mental health treatment experience for adults in home-like settings that are carefully maintained to be peaceful, comfortable spaces. In addition to residential treatment, AMFM Mental Health Treatment also offers multiple levels of outpatient treatment.
Our locations in California, Minnesota, and Virginia accept insurance and are in-network with most major providers. To check your insurance coverage for mental health care, simply complete our confidential online verification form or call us at 866-478-4383.
Reach out to us if you would like to start the admissions process or learn more about how we can support your mental well-being. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance with no obligation.
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Yes, an unpredictable schedule, chronic understaffing and overwork, and having to be constantly ready for the next emergency can be more than enough on their own to cause clinical anxiety. It doesn’t always take one specific incident to cause it.
Yes. Emotional exhaustion, numbness, anxiety, trauma, and more can all impact personal relationships and daily life. These conditions can cause people to feel numb, irritable, withdrawn, and unable to be present in the moment with loved ones.Â
Partners and families sometimes notice these changes before an EMT or paramedic recognizes them for themselves.
This depends on the person and what’s being treated. Some people might notice improvement with anxiety or sleeping patterns in a matter of weeks, while those processing deeper traumas or chronic burnout might take months of consistent care and engagement.Â
Medication can play a role in treatment, but not always. If you’re struggling with severe anxiety, depression, or sleeping issues, medication might help. These decisions will be discussed with your treatment team or prescriber.
At AMFM, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information based on current best practices, evolving information, and our team’s approach to care. Our aim is that our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Our reviewers are credentialed medical providers specializing and practicing behavioral healthcare. We follow strict guidelines when fact-checking information and only use credible sources when citing statistics and medical information. Look for the medically reviewed badge on our articles for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate or out of date, please let us know at info@amfmhealthcare.com
