Researchers develope traumatic treatment guidelines for emergency workers

Australian experts have developed post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis and treatment guidelines for emergency workers in a bid to treat the estimated 8,000 personnel suffering.

While the condition also known as PTSD, mostly prevalent among military personnel, can be found in any person, the guideline's lead author Dr. Sam Harvey from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) on Wednesday said managing the condition in emergency services workers is much more challenging.

"Emergency workers fill a hugely important role in our society, but unfortunately the nature of their job means they are regularly exposed to different types of trauma from witnessing distressing events to having their own lives in significant danger," Harvey said.

The guidelines, 54 in total, are developed for general practice doctors, psychiatrists and therapeutic providers, but can also be used by fellow workers, their families and carers.

It is estimated that 10 percent of Australia's emergency services workers suffer from PTSD, however that number could be higher if retirees are also calculated, Harvey said. Endit