Post traumatic stress disorder. What happens after traumatic events?

Helen Barnett is an ex Metropolitan police officer. She was the first Mother to join the Metropolitan Police’s SO19 Armed Response Team. In the line of duty, she was stabbed, caught up in two terrorist explosions and shot at in a firearms incident.

As a result of these incidents, she suffered from the effects of trauma. This resulted in her being medically retired in the late 1990's. She then had bigger struggles to face when she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  This manifested itself in Bulimia and a relationship breakdown.

In this podcast Helen talks about the incidents she was involved in and how she felt and dealt with them at the time.  She also talks about how she now feels about the pressure of regularly dealing with hostility, aggression and conflict. The trauma she suffered ultimately led to her diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, leaving the police provided its own set of problems. This included the feeling of a lack of support and the loss of her identity.

Since leaving the Police Helen has become involved with a number of charities. These highlight the needs of people who are dealing with the effects of traumatic experiences they faced during the course of their service. By sharing her story and experiences Helen hopes she can show that there is help out there in dealing with and overcoming adversity.

You can get in touch with Helen at LinkedIn or Instagram.