Paramedic Depression & Anxiety Recovery | First Responder Mental Health

Ashley Neubauer is a #paramedic and volunteer #firefighter who has experienced #depression, #anxiety, painful flashbacks, and bad dreams. Her focus on recovery has allowed her to keep working as a #firstresponder.

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“I really do enjoy helping people,” she says, even in the darkest of times. “When we get called, it’s generally the worst day of someone’s life . . . we’re the ones that come to fix that, make them feel they’re safe, we’ll make them better.”

Ashley’s a “huge patient advocate,” and invests a good deal of herself into every interaction. And she says that her career choice has many rewards. But it also poses significant challenges, especially for her mental health. “Working in this job, we are exposed to a lot of very traumatic things,” she says.

She sought help, but the #medication she was prescribed wasn’t the right fit, and she attempted to hurt herself. Soon after, she was #hospitalized for a few days in a #psychiatric unit — a move that Ashley says was the right thing for her at the time. It allowed her to address her mental health and create a plan for a more stable and productive life.

Ashley now says she is, “living her best life.”

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📝 Read more of Ashley's story as a #volunteerfirefighter and paramedic here:

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[captainhindsight]

I’m so glad I’ve found this video, I’m a Paramedic in the UK, been a combat medic for 5 years and a civilian Paramedic for another 10. Lately my anxiety has crippled me, I’m on medication, I take sick days and every day seems a great struggle. Your video has helped me.

[adamsz]

Bravo to you Ashley for seeking out help. Not many people understand our world and the horrors we face. We shouldn’t have to deal with these things on our own. In our first responder family, no one fights alone.

[sherriescottrn]

Thank you so much for this video. Now if I can just get my hard core, amazing, macho, decades on the line, stoic w/ hella PTSD loved one to reach out or accept help... He will take care of everyone else until the bitter end. Getting help is sadly still seen internally as a weakness, or failure of self. A supervisor/leader may be 100% supportive of his brother getting help, and yet will deny it for himself. I hope you reach him, & those like him, before we all lose a brother, a love, a skilled provider, or a parent to the statistics. Again, thank you for your efforts, education, & support.

[emt]

I’m an EMT. I have dreams sometimes and they are usually bad ones. I deal with them though.

[kleclair]

Thinking about you Ashley and everything first responders go through. I hope all is well ❤️

[alexandergrinberg]

Fear and anxiety are associated with stigma however lack of fear and anxiety is more concerning than absence because lack of fear is psychopathy which is associated with lying, blaming others, cheating, manipulation and exploitation of others, lack of empathy, domination of others, disregard for the rights of others, and proactive violence. Thanks again for a great video

[lou]

I've been a medic now for 30 yrs, 25 with we dont look after each other who will? I'm always up to talk with fellow first responders, I've been through a bunch of shit and I made it through and landed on my feet life is fucking awesome. I feel like I'm obligated to reach back to others that are suffering and lend an ear or fact that we serve and suffer we form a large sometimes fucked up family so your never alone. Always step back, breath and give it another day.

[africandefender]

I have so much respect for you guys with all the shit you guys see and go through. I witnessed a accident before sun rise going to work guy was ejected out of car just seeing someone in shock (WOW) it turn anxiety on again, Respect too you and thank you🌍🌄🌴

[colbythurston]

I understand what she's talking about i instead. And set of it being my Uncle it was my granddad my grandmaw called me because she knew I was on call and said I don't think your grandad is breathing. So instantly I knew and I call dispatch and told them we were in route. And I wouldn't let me work on him they'd Babe me do something else instead of working on him. And I still get mad to this day that they wouldn't let me but the other part of me says I'm glad they didt let me.

[alexandergrinberg]

Depression is among the most disabling disorders, but depression with anxiety is more difficult to treat and has a higher risk for suicide. Depression causes decreased interest in pleasure/activities, fatigue, loss of interest, feelings of shame guilt worthlessness and self blame. If you think you may have depression ask for help.

[keithjackson]

I feel like I’m wearing dirty underwear. 15 years of EMS has taken its pound of flesh.