This article -- Advice for Employers on Hiring Vets with PTSD -- is a pretty good start, but it doesn't go deep enough or give any specifics. Let's come up with a more practical list -- post your thoughts and ideas in the comments!
And don't forget to visit Fearless Nation PTSD Support on Facebook!
First off the bat let us talk about scare attacks when the person isn't expecting some one coming up behind them and slamming a hammer down and yelling look out,can get some body hurt bad. then lets talk B.S. Don't ask them what their problem is if you don't care. If they fought in a war don't ask if they killed some body. When they get ready to talk about it fine. Don't ask if they seen any body get killed next to them. Stupid questions anger them and hack them off like you're making fun of them. Don't ever think because you are bigger than them they are easy, they most likely have killed and know how to pick up things that equal the odds. You might think you backed them down when all they are doing is picking the op-tune time to deliver whip-och on you. They carry a grudge longer than anyone you have ever seen. Do your job and leave them alone, if they want help they will ask. Don't play games with their heads and don't try to impress anyone by making fun of them when they make a mistake. If you need help from them ask and thank them for helping. If you plan on having words with them do it in private area away from crowds. Never raise your voice they are not hard hearing. If you notice something wrong ask if you can help and if no leave them alone. Seek help if it pertains to the job and they are hindering the work. If you have a job where they can work by themselves the better off you are. Crowds are ok as long as no one is touching them. Crowds in inclosed areas bother them. Large rooms with windows or doors opened is ok. Never mess with their gear unless you ask. If you think they need help ask if you can help first. Always try and call them by their name.
ReplyDeleteNot only vets have PTSD. I have it from my childhood. I'm in therphy now. Thank god for my therpist.
ReplyDeleteI think the first thing would be adressing the stigma of PTSD. When people hear the words automatically the think about someone going "Postal". There are extreme cases granted, but for the most part they are just like the "average" person trying to work through the issues of their lives. I've had PTSD for the majority of my life because my abuse started at six months old. Nobody at my job knew about my PTSD until I got a service dog. Instead of "going postal" I stay to myself for the most part of my work day. Interacting with people takes a lot of trust, trust doesn't come easy for people that have PTSD. I am luck enough that I work for a mental health agency. I've never been at a job for longer than two and a half years. Now that I have my service dog, along with therapy and a work environment that accepts me and doesn't try to cross my boundries before I'm ready to let you in. I'm now at my job for four years. Because of the abuse I've been through it makes me very good at what I do. It makes me a person that thinks outside of the "box". It makes me a person that looks for problems, thats scans the horizon for different ways to solve the problems before they are a bump in the road. Without going on and on, a person with PTSD could very well become one of your best employees. We just have to be given the space and the freedom of fear, to deal with issues like fear of authority figures. Life does change!
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