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

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieve it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

- Dylan Thomas - 

#LifeIsPrecious #AMomentInTime #Mindfulness

Thought For The Day

It is unfortunate that we often forget about the importance of gratitude. It is simply a thankful appreciation for what we receive, from others, and life in general. 

Being grateful is a way to acknowledge the kindness and goodness that exists in the world. I am grateful for my friends, my loved ones, and for being alive.

#LifeIsPrecious #Gratitude #Kindness

Thought For The Day

With all the darkness that is in the world right now, and to everyone who faces their own internal struggles on a daily basis, how about we embrace our humanity and carry this straightforward but compassionate message into the new month ahead.

#LifeIsPrecious #YouAreWorthIt #Mindfulness

Thought For The Day

You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you or shakes your arm, making you spill your coffee everywhere.

Why did you spill the coffee? 

"Because someone bumped into me!!!"

Wrong answer.

You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup. 

Had there been tea in the cup, you would have spilled tea.

*Whatever is inside the cup is what will spill out.*

Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which WILL happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It's easy to fake it, until you get rattled.

*So we have to ask ourselves... “what's in my cup?"*

When life gets tough, what spills over?

Joy, gratefulness, peace, and humility? 

Anger, bitterness, harsh words, and reactions? 

Life provides the cup, YOU choose how to fill it. 

Today let's work towards filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation; and kindness, gentleness, and love for others. 

(Shared from a friend whose cup is full of goodness and inspiration.)

#LifeIsPrecious #Perspective #Inspiration 

#Goodness #Mindfulness

Copying With Anxiety In A Time Of COVID-19

 Illustrator: Kate Allen

It is not uncommon to experience anxiety and fear when hearing information about an infectious disease that is impacting individuals across the globe. Social distancing is also causing us all to temporarily change our daily routine, which can feel uncomfortable.

It is important to learn the facts related to the risks and speak to your doctor about any concerns you may have about your own health and COVID-19. If you are experiencing anxiety or fear related to COVID-19, these tips may help you feel more comfortable. 

It is normal to feel a range of emotions when you hear about COVID-19 in the news or in your social/family circle. Emotions may include:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Fear
• Anger

Everything you feel and think is normal. However, at times our feelings keep us from living our day to day life in a way that works for us. This can happen when our emotions impact our ability to make decisions or carry on with our activities of daily life. 

If you ever feel overwhelmed by your feelings, there are actions you can take to begin to feel more in control. Options to help you deal with your feelings include:

• Hobbies

• Exercise

• Meditation

• Listening to music
• Take time outdoors
• Talking to your doctor
• Talk to your friends and family
• Talking to a mental health professional

• Taking a break from news media and social media

• Learning about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risks

Learning the facts about COVID-19 can be the most helpful way to help alleviate anxiety and fear. For official guidance, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control website and the Wyoming Information Sharing Platform (WISP).

Once you educate yourself, if you are still feeling anxiety, it may be helpful to get understanding and empathy from a mental health professional who is knowledgeable about anxiety and how to manage it.

For immediate and confidential support 24/7, you can call 211. If you see a mental health professional already, this would be a good time to call and speak to them about your thoughts and feelings.

Give yourself time and space to talk about how you feel anytime your thoughts and emotions become intrusive or uncomfortable. You always deserve the opportunity to explore what is on your mind, and help is always available by calling 211. 

Learning the facts about COVID-19, washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, and finding activities that distract you from virus news are all excellent ways to make yourself feel better. Know that there is a wealth of resources, education, and support available to you.

 Illustrator: Kate Allen

#Anxiety #YouAreStrong

#LifeIsPrecious #DuringATimeOfPlague #MentalHealthMatters

Thought For The Day

Image Credit: Joanna Watala

A powerful, emotionally provocative photograph of two beautiful women with similar body image issues; they simply handled their emotional baggage differently.

If our eyes saw souls instead of bodies, what would we actually define as being beautiful? Would there be as many people craving the unachievable ‘perfect’ look?

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there is no such thing as perfect.

More of Joanna Watala's images can be found on Instagram.

#BlackAndWhite #Beauty #LifeIsPrecious

Thought For The Day

I am truly grateful to those friends in my life who greet me with a smile, a hearty handshake, even a big hug and ask ‘how are YOU’ doing?’. 

If you don’t have it you to be kind, compassionate, even forgiving, then I invite you to cross the street, keep looking dead ahead, and walk the feck out of my life.

#LifeIsPrecious #Kindness #Mindfulness

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

Thought For The Day

#LifeIsPrecious #Love #Hugs #Mindfulness

Reflecting On Happiness

For many people, December can often be a big month for reflection. What goals have you achieved in 2018? What can you do at the close of the year that you couldn’t do at the start of it? How have you made a difference to others? Have you been happy in your work and your life?

Here are four suggestions for enjoying a little more happiness at the end of the year and into 2019:

1. Let go of the rules you have for happiness and success.

You don’t have to be perfect, work hard, go it alone or suffer to earn happiness or be successful. Happiness does not come wrapped in a box, it comes when you enjoy the gift inside every moment.

2. Fuel your passion and do what inspires and delights you.

Ask yourself “when am I at my happiest?” and do more of those things you enjoy. Start by being kind to yourself and indulge in your personal version of happiness, success, and joy.

3. Enjoy the simple pleasures.

Laughter, fun, and dancing to your favorite music costs nothing, yet can be priceless. Play a game, read a book, or go for a walk and try and spot all the colors of a rainbow. What is on your list of simple pleasures?

4. Make time for love and friendship. 

Don’t be so busy with others that you neglect your most important relationships at work and in your life. Who would you like to spend more time with, be more loving with, and have more fun with?

Go to: Nathaniel Branden

#LifeIsPrecious #Reflections #Mindfulness

Leadership Development - Nurturing a Growth Mindset

Scholars are deeply gratified when their ideas catch on. And they are even more gratified when their ideas make a difference (Carol Dweck, 2016). The growth mindset concept is spreading and being embraced in a number of sectors as part of their curriculum.

But popularity has a price and people begin to distort ideas, and therefore fail to reap their benefits (Carol Dweck, 2016). For instance, some believe a growth mindset is just about praising and rewarding effort. This isn’t true for students in schools, and it’s not true for employees in organizations. In both settings, outcomes matter.

Furthermore, some organizations espouse an ambitious "adopt a growth mindset, and good things will happen" philosophy. Such mission statements are wonderful things, aren't they? You can’t argue with lofty values like growth, empowerment, or innovation. But what do they mean to employees if the company doesn’t implement policies that make them real and attainable?

Organizations that embody a growth mindset encourage appropriate risk-taking, knowing that some risks won’t work out (Carol Dweck, 2016). They reward employees for important and useful lessons learned, even if a project does not meet its original goals.

However, the following infographic serves a purpose in that it emphasizes a relational dynamic between the individual and the growth mindset concept (Steve Wood, 2018). In that, no matter what stage of your career you are in, nurturing and preserving your own growth is absolutely essential, rather than devolve that responsibility to the organization you are part of. In that way, you are more likely to be an agent of change as a leader as well as be better invested as an active follower within your team.

Such are my thoughts on the matter, for now...

#Leadership #GrowthMindset #Development