PTSD: Ever have trouple accurately recalling details of new trigger events?

2017-04-12T19:11:56-04:00

After retiring from Active Duty I embarked on a new career in EMS. Recently, I worked a scene very reminiscent of an event that occurred while deployed. I suffered a mild "flashback" during the event and now my coworkers are telling me my recollection of events is not what they observed. Has anyone else ever experienced similar complications?

Response by TSgt Dawn Premock made Apr 12 at 2017 7:22 PM

2017-04-12T19:22:57-04:00

I have had it happen. The doctor said my brain was mixing the events up because of the flashback.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2017 7:28 PM

2017-04-12T19:28:53-04:00

Yeah, I was behind a couple vehicles that collided into each other. I pulled over and stopped traffic with emergency cones I carry, and then went to help. Although not EMS I've had the Combat Lifesavers course and I just happened to have a Surgical bag with me. I set two fractures with splints, and a few bandages. When the Police finally arrived my rendetion of the events was not the same as two other witnesses. After I was thanked by the EMS personnel that finally arrived, the Police took my statement, and I headed on down the road.

I know I relayed the event correctly, and I, to this day cannot believe I was so wrong.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Apr 12 at 2017 7:58 PM

2017-04-12T19:58:37-04:00

This is normal, people make unintentional mistakes while attempting to provide information.
We don't have a perfect memory and trama/past trama will impact how we recall current and past events including inserting past event recollection into the current event and visa versa. We are human and investigators understand that personal recall is prone to inaccuracy even while seemingly credible in court and preferred by juries.
I have been surprised to find in my counseling and researching of events that I recalled some aspects inaccurately.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 13 at 2017 12:10 AM

2017-04-13T00:10:13-04:00

Yes... MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Apr 13 at 2017 9:19 AM

2017-04-13T09:19:44-04:00

just because I have PTSD don't mean I can't have a gun because I know quite a few PTSD'ers who are walking around with all kinds of guns. I love guns but after retiring from the ARMY I don't feel I need to bear arms unless I have too, I did my time and my ride. so what I'm trying to say is. OWNING A GUN!

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Apr 13 at 2017 11:03 AM

2017-04-13T11:03:48-04:00

I had one situation where this was a concern. After Discharge, I went to work with my Airport Crash Fire rescue Dept. We have Camera's mounted in the Cab of the trucks to record everything the driver sees. We had to respond off the Airport with a Truck one day for a Private Aircraft Crash, enroute we had to cross Rail Road Tracks, Just after we crossed you could hear the sound of a Train Horn. When we got back to the Station after the response there were two RailRoad Marshals waiting. They wanted to know why we crossed when the lights on a marked crossing were flashing and made a train make an Emergency Stop. I told them there were no flashing lights, They showed me reports less than a week old where the lights had been checked. I walked out to the truch pulled the tape, popped it in and let them see. NO LIGHTS, No Bells, then the vibration of the truck crossing the tracks and then the Train horn after we were clear of the tracks. The railroad marshals smiles, and said they would have the signals checked again and left. to this day I have a camera mounted in my car. Sometimes our memory can be confused but not always. Remember we have been trained to be Observant and that we do not loose. If anything with PTSD it becomes even more acute! I know mine has.