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Straight
Track #239
Everybody Hurts, Sometimes:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Raymond Keane, Attorney
Hoey & Farina
rkeane@hoeyfarina.com
1-888-425-1212 |
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LIVING THROUGH TRAUMATIC EVENTS
As employees of the railroad, we expose ourselves to potential dangers
and life-threatening situations every day. Living through such events
either personally or by witnessing another’s hardship can be difficult
to deal with physically, emotionally and mentally. What’s important is
to learn from others and seek help if such events have happened to you
or someone you know.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
During my twenty-two years on the railroad, I have
personally experienced and witnessed several traumatic events. In
October 1979, there was an Amtrak crash in Harvey, Illinois that killed
the engineer and head man on an Illinois Central Gulf. I worked an 11:59
P.M. extra job to clean up the wreckage. In 1988, a good friend of mine
who worked on signal maintenance was struck by an I.C. commuter train
and although I attempted CPR, he passed away lying between the railroad
tracks. And as an engineer, I struck a pedestrian as she ran onto the
tracks.
Even before I began my career on the railroad, I
experienced traumatic events that stay with me today. When I was fifteen
years old and living on the South Side of Chicago, my friends and I
would hop on the Grand Trunk Railroad grain cars, ride them south a few
miles and hop off at Marquette Park. One night in August 1976, my one
friend and I decided not to hop trains while four of my other buddies
did. Unfortunately, the train high-balled and my one buddy was killed
instantly when he hit his head on the hand throw switch after jumping
off the train.
These are tough memories to deal with because I can
remember every detail and thought at that time. It is difficult to
suppress such thoughts and not always the best way to deal with them.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
Everyone reacts to traumatic events differently. Because
of that fact, it may be difficult to recognize when you or someone you
know is hurting emotionally. Below is a questionnaire which assesses
your personal reactions to traumatic events. Your answers can help you
and your family recognize if professional help might be needed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TRAUMA SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE (TSQ):
Literature Review of Post Traumatic stress Disorder Amongst Rail Workers
Your own reactions now to the traumatic event.
Please consider the following reactions which sometimes
occur after a traumatic event. This questionnaire is concerned with your
personal reactions to the traumatic event which happened to you. Please
indicate (Yes/No) whether or not you have experienced any of the
following at least twice in the past week.
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Upsetting thoughts or memories about the event that
have come into your mind against your will.
-
Upsetting dreams about the event.
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Acting or feeling as though the event were happening
again.
-
Feeling upset by reminders of the event.
-
Bodily reactions (such as fast heartbeat, stomach
churning, sweatiness, dizziness) when reminded of event.
-
Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
-
Irritability or outbursts of anger.
-
Difficulty concentrating.
-
Heightened awareness of potential dangers to
yourself and others.
-
Being jumpy or being startled at something
unexpected.
FINDING POSITIVE SOLUTIONS
My experiences on the railroad both as a teenager and
employee have stayed with me and have influenced my life greatly. If you
or someone you know has experienced a traumatic event at work on the
railroad, talk about it and seek help if necessary. If you have
questions regarding PTSD, please contact us anytime at 888-425-1212.
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