Law Enforcement and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
A Deadly Combination
The Code 9 Documentary is Produced, Directed by Deborah Louise Ortiz and Dangerous Curves Productions in association with Nebula Productions
Deborah is the wife of a retired State Trooper who served 22 years in
Law Enforcement.
Michael has PTSD due to all he has seen on the job and the Code 9 film tells the stories of First Responders and families who are left to deal with the effects of stress and trauma of the careers they chose
While we expect many of our returning war veterans to experience PTSD, we generally have little awareness of, and offer almost no treatment for, our police force here at home. This lack of recognition and treatment has destroyed careers and families.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop after a person is exposed to one or more traumatic events - either experiencing it or witnessing it, and those who pick up the pieces afterwards, including law enforcement and emergency workers. Symptoms may include disturbing recurring flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance or numbing of memories of the event, hyper-arousal and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. PTSD can lead to suicide if not properly handled and unfortunately suicide is the leading cause of death for our police officers.