EMS Behavioral Emergencies - Social Anxiety In A Time Of Normality

As EMS providers, it's crucial to have a well-rounded understanding of various medical conditions and mental health issues to offer the best care possible to patients. 

Social anxiety is one such condition that can significantly impact a patient's well-being and response to treatment. Here's what you need to know about this topic:

Recognizing Social Anxiety

Feelings of anxiety can be a common response when individuals are exposed to unfamiliar situations or new people. When people experience social anxiety, they may feel apprehensive or awkward when around others and might find it uncomfortable to engage in conversations. These feelings often improve as individuals become more familiar with their surroundings and peers.

Social Phobia

Social anxiety, when it becomes debilitating and significantly affects a person's life and choices, is referred to as social phobia. It can hinder one's ability to participate in social situations or even be around other people. EMS providers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of social phobia, as patients with this condition may experience heightened distress during medical emergencies.

The Impact of Social Anxiety

People with social anxiety fear negative evaluation by others and worry about potentially embarrassing themselves. They are concerned about being judged for displaying physical signs of anxiety, such as blushing, shaking, or sweating. This fear often leads individuals to avoid social situations where they might be scrutinized. For EMS providers, this avoidance can complicate patient interactions during emergencies, as those with social anxiety may be particularly distressed by the presence of unfamiliar individuals.

EMS Providers' Role

EMS providers should approach patients with social anxiety with sensitivity and empathy. Understanding that these individuals may experience heightened anxiety in social situations is essential. It's important to create a calm and non-judgmental environment during patient care. Effective communication can make a significant difference in how patients with social anxiety respond to treatment.

Seeking Help

Encourage patients to seek professional help for their social anxiety. It's a real challenge, but there are treatments available that can significantly improve their quality of life. By offering support and information about available resources, EMS providers can contribute to their patients' overall well-being.

Recognizing social anxiety and its impact on patients is vital for EMS providers. Compassion, patience, and effective communication are key when providing care to individuals with social anxiety. By acknowledging this condition and offering support, EMS providers can make a positive difference in the lives of those they serve.

#Anxiety #LifeIsPrecious #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreStrong #SocialAnxiety

Resuscitation In A Time Of COVID-19

A new infographic by the American Heart Association outlines key considerations regarding resuscitation administered by healthcare providers who are treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.

#AmericanHeartAssociation ##HealthCareProviders #CPR #COVID19 #DuringATimeOfPlague

Living With Anxiety In A Time Of Plague

Illustrator: Kate Allen

Anxiety has a way of sending your brain into complete overdrive. I know, it happens all too frequently with me!

The mental health condition, which affects an estimated 40 million adults in the USA alone, is notorious for causing excessive rumination and intense worry. It’s common for those living with the issue to think about a mistake and believe they’re worthless or a failure, for example. Believe me, you are none of those things!

Sometimes, a feeling of panic comes up for no reason at all. Possibly accentuated during times of stress and perceived isolation. And this is all in addition to the physical symptoms, like stomach pains and headaches. So no fun at all!

If you’re living with anxiety, it’s important to know that there are ways to manage it. If your anxiety becomes debilitating, it’s important to seek help from loved ones that understand, skilled friends who know how to listen or, even better, mental health professionals. 

Reading uplifting cartoons and memes are a great momentary antidote, but nothing substitutes for good care and support.

Feeling better is totally possible. I care. You care. We care. Together we will defeat this shit!

Illustrator: Kate Allen

#Anxiety #LifeIsPrecious #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreStrong

Thought For The Day

#LifeIsPrecious #AMomentInTime #MentalHealth

American Red Cross Military Appreciation Month

It’s Military Appreciation Month and the American Red Cross is proud to honor those who serve in the military. The Red Cross stands beside our heroes from the day they enlist, throughout their military careers and beyond. 

The Red Cross provides critical services with a caring touch wherever and whenever it is needed - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year - serving military members and their families at home and around the world.

We want to say thank you to all our active duty service members! Supporting the military and their families has been a key part of our mission since the Spanish American War.

Visit the Colorado and Wyoming Red Cross blog to learn how they were able to support a disabled veteran and mother.

#AmericanRedCross #Volunteer #DisasterResponse

Why I Wear A Mask In A Time Of COVID-19

I wear a mask in public, not for me, but for YOU. I want you to know that I am educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.

No, I don’t “live in fear” of the virus, I just want to be a part of the solution, not the problem. I don’t feel like the “government is controlling me”, I feel like I’m being a contributing adult to society and I want to teach others the same.

The world doesn’t revolve around me. It’s not all about me and my comfort. If we all could live with consideration for other people, this whole world would be a much better place. Wearing a mask doesn’t make me weak, scared, stupid, or even “controlled”, it makes me considerate.

When you think about how you look, or how uncomfortable it is or what others think of you, just imagine someone close to you. A father, a mother, grandparent, Aunt or uncle choking on a respirator. Then ask yourself if you could have sucked it up a little for them.

Feel free to copy and paste and share. I did. 😊

#WearAMask #WashYourHands 

#StayHome #COVID19 #DuringATimeOfPlague

Why Am I Posting This? So We Don’t Forget....

Why am I posting this? So we don’t forget.... 😷🧤😥

Today is Sunday, April 26, 2020. Next year & then every year after, this status will appear in my memories feed, for as long as Facebook exists. And it will be an annual reminder that life is precious & that nothing should be taken for granted. 

We are where we are with what we have. Let's be grateful 💜

- We are at 39 days of social isolation.

- The Dollar is worth $ 5.32, the Euro $ 5.77, and the British Pound $ 6.54.

- Schools have been closed since mid-March and are teaching remotely on-line. This will continue for the rest of the school year.

- There are lines / tapes inside the stores to keep people 6 feet apart.

- Bars and restaurants only for home delivery & pick-up.

- Parks, beaches, and walk-in places are not accessible to the public.

- All sports competitions have been canceled.

- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned.

- Weddings, family celebrations, and birthdays have been canceled.

- Funerals limited to 10-20 people.

- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays!

- Young kids can’t understand why they can only see grandparents & other extended family and friends on a screen or thru a window if someone visits in person.

- Hugs and kisses are not given.

- The churches are closed or online.

- We have to stay away from each other more than a meter.

- Shortage of masks and gloves in hospitals.

- There are fewer ventilators than there should be.

- People are wearing masks, some places even REQUIRE that you wear them to enter! People are even making their own masks for sale or donation to medical facilities!

- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person...IF you can even find them!

- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything. (24-hour stores are even closing by 9pm)

- Store checkouts, pharmacies, and even fast food drive-thru windows have added plexiglass between employee and customer. Have to reach around or under to pay!

- You can't find isopropyl alcohol easily. .. supply per person is limited.

- Australia, USA, and Europe have closed their borders.

- Western Australia has been divided into 9 territories & an instant $1,500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. (Transport workers, Essential services, etc)

- No one is traveling for leisure. Airports empty. Tourism has the worst crisis in history.

This text comes from an anonymous author, it's not mine. I copied because I want to remember it too. 

#AMomentInTime #LifeIsPrecious 

#COVID19 #DuringATimeOfPlague

American Red Cross National Volunteer Week

As National Volunteer Week comes to a close, we remain thankful to the thousands of volunteers who comprise more than 90% of the American Red Cross workforce nationwide!

Volunteers make it possible for the Red Cross to continue its mission of helping those in need!

Thank you! We truly couldn't do it without you!

#AmericanRedCross #Volunteer #DisasterRelief #COVID19

Thought For The Day

During these interesting times, and throughout life, we will discover that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.

American Red Cross National Volunteer Week

It’s National Volunteer Week, and the American Red Cross honors our hundreds of thousands of volunteers who make it possible to fulfill our lifesaving mission of helping people in need. 

Support your community. Become a Red Cross volunteer. 

Discover the role that's right for you HERE

#AmericanRedCross #Volunteer #DisasterRelief

Leave No Trace In A Time Of COVID-19

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics aligns with the CDC recommendations to help slow the spread of the virus. Let’s keep ourselves, our communities, and our natural world safe and healthy during this time.

It is important to be aware of the most current information from the CDC on these changes, and that goes for changes to the way we spend time outside as well.

We will see you out there on the other side!

#LeaveNoTrace #OnePlanet #OneHome 

#COVID19 #DuringATimeOfPlague

Fuel Up Safely In A Time of COVID-19

According to the CDC, current evidence suggests that COVID-19 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials.

Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for the prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings. This included surfaces like the gas pump.

#AmericanRedCross #Volunteers #WashYourHands 

#WearAMask #COVID19 #DuringATimeOfPlague

Thought For The Day

"A truck loaded with thousands of copies of Roget's Thesaurus crashed yesterday losing its entire load. Witnesses were stunned, startled, aghast, taken aback, stupefied, confused, shocked, rattled, paralyzed, dazed, bewildered, mixed up, surprised, awed, dumbfounded, nonplussed, flabbergasted, astounded, amazed, confounded, astonished, overwhelmed, horrified, numbed, speechless, and perplexed."

#ThoughtForTheaDay #LifeIsPrecious #LaughOutLoud