sofakingsleepy
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I have seen horrible car crashes, helicopter crashes, severe burns, severed limbs. I have assisted in autopsies on men, women, and children. None of it bothered me in the moment and I have never been haunted by what I have seen but I am concerned that I am suppose to be. Any advice?
dab365
Hit men make pretty good money
HeyGuysAmIRelevantYet
Watched a man get stabbed to death at my store once. Ended up calling a shrink because it didn't affect me. Shrink said it's cool.
TheBengalKatLady
Someone has to do that job and it might as well be you. If it doesnt bother you, sounds like this is what you're meant to do
Raz0rking
i guesd if something where wrong with you, you would NOT be worried
ideagrinder
That's what i was thinking as well
theherowemaynotneedrightnow
Nah you're good. I had pieces of people get sprayed all over me and I'm good.
MeatMechanic86
I think your mind has a good defense mechanism. You're able to compartmentalize and focus on doing your job instead of reacting emotionally.
MeatMechanic86
Speaking as someone in a similar field, you're not alone. Don't be afraid to talk to someone if things do start to bother you. It's normal.
MeatMechanic86
The fact that you're aware of it and questioning out of concern is a good sign that you're not only stable, but well-suited for the job.
RayLynch
Jesus Christ dude. Did it ever occur to you that maybe you have better coping skills than most people and that's why it doesn't bother you?
sofakingsleepy
I don't think I ever thought of it as coping since I've always been this way. But I see your point
123angelsandairwaves123
My grandpa was navy man in ww2. He was able to separate himself from the trauma. Had no issues. Some ppl can just do it. Call it luck
dispatchedcode3
I've been a paramedic in LA and San Bernardino for the last ten years and I have the same deal. Nothing ever bothers me. I was worried but..
dispatchedcode3
... after thinking about it I figured I'm lucky to have the psychology that allows me to do my job well, without side effects.
oCestSiBon
Read "On Killing" by Lt. Col. Grossman. It will answer many of your questions. You may be in that very small % of people he talks about.
determinedbeacon
As a former firefighter/current Marine, I feel like that's common among military/emergency services, and even more so when you combine them
gingen
It seems a great way to realize one's own mental fortitude.
Heliogabalus227
Take your grandson on horrifying adventures in an uncaring universe.
dizzywildfire
My husband is the same way. Some people just handle stuff more stoically than others. He always says he just doesn't take it personally.
Drakhma
i found your god
Kremithe
Reminds me of a post I saw a couple years ago on imgur, where the OP described the life about being a sociopath. He had a part at the end
Kremithe
that said like, 'if my story souds familiar in you, worried that you might be one two, if you hold the concept at all of hurting someone
Kremithe
anything more than like accidentally breaking a window, then you may not have sociopathy'.
sofakingsleepy
Sounds like a good post wish I could read it
batmanmf
That's a qualification, don't worry about it.
paramedicnotadriver
You aren't weird. I've been at this almost 25 years and in that time I've only needed to vent to my wife once. She's also a medic.
blechinger
The fact that you're self-aware enough to know it's not the norm tells me you're fine. Some people get ptsd and some don't. Not a big deal.
Hemispheres
My SO is an ER doc. From observing him and his coworkers I can say there is a certain personality type that is unfazed by these situations.
laurren
I ski patrol and a ski edge is capable of fucking up flesh. But it also doesn't bother me. You chose the right profession. We need more of u
adventurea
My grandfather faught ww2. Front lines. The most caring, well rounded person I knew. Rip
comicalcheese
Hey if you are one of the lucky few who can be that way, the kudos! I had to give up being an EMT/Firefighter due to the gruesome nightmares
CongratsYouAreHereNow
you must be a millennial if you're thinking, "why don't i feel depressed and suffer from ptsd?" jk, but in all honesty, you've seen these/2
CongratsYouAreHereNow
things in context. you were prepared for it. it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. you're a professional. just let someone 2/3
CongratsYouAreHereNow
know if you ever want to start recreating the scenes you've seen, using prostitutes you find at truck stops
FoeHamm3r
I've seen several people die, and several others severely injured. It's often occurred to me that it's weird that it doesn't bother me (1/2)
FoeHamm3r
But I just carry on, and make sure to be careful I'm situations that are similar, in the future. Enjoy life. (2/2)
sliveroflight
If you're concerned see a mental health provider. You have them available. You can just set up an appointment. Listen to what they tell you.
sliveroflight
I wish you the best health, both mentally and physically.
nolittleplans
Ever hurt small animals or yourself or someone close to you physically? When you see someone yawn does it make you yawn also?
sofakingsleepy
No I haven't. And no it doesn't
nolittleplans
Might have mild sociopathic tendencies
disposabledan
Don't worry about it. I'm friends with a psychiatrist who pointed out that many surgeons actually enjoy the thought of cutting into people
hideyokidshideyowifis
bringbakfirefly
Just like a lot of good ole boys join the military cause they want to kill people.
YoloSwagginsAndTheKnightsOfTheRoundTable
Yeah but when we operate usually there isn't gun shots and the person we are operating on isn't screaming..usually. sometimes anesthesia
YoloSwagginsAndTheKnightsOfTheRoundTable
Has issues and they may feel something but with versed they won't remember :)
oynsy
It's just mechanics with blood and bone instead of oil and steel
QuirkyWallace
Never thought of it like that, good analogy
CaveCanem
An Organic Mechanic, if you will
AngryFoodTerror
DrMardini
When I place an arterial line and see the arterial spray that confirms I'm in the right spot I get excited.
disposabledan
And wanted to figure out how to channel that desire into a way to help people and make money...
Slomo89
I'm a nurse and I LOVE STICKING PEOPLE WITH NEEDLES IT IS SO FUN AND AWESOME
Drakhma
i hate needles i haven't had one in me since i was 19, and that was a flu shot
Kehy
please don't poke me
pussysensei
My mom is a nurse. She constantly asks if she can give me an Iv or draw blood. Injections make me throw up. I'm emetiphobic.
Smayds
I'm sorry to say this but your mum sounds like a total dick. She knows about your specific phobia, right?
pussysensei
Not really. I get really embarrassed when I have panic attacks, so I tend to hide them.
typeIIIb
I don't have any advice, but I'm in a similar situation, and I've often questioned why I'm not more torn up about it....
sofakingsleepy
I would read some of the comments. A lot of them have given me things to look up and think about.
EbolaMonkey
You get desensitized to things after a while. Do you think hospital ERs/operating theatres are any different?
sofakingsleepy
Well that's why I was concerned because for most people yes they can get desensitized, but for me i have always been this way.
EbolaMonkey
Just remember that there's no such thing as normal. I think it's always better to be less emotional than more... i hope you love your job!
EbolaMonkey
What's important is that you're fulfilled/content with where you are. Screw what "people" think or whatever is considered normal.
sofakingsleepy
I will keep that in mind. And I do love it, it's exciting and challenging always keeps your mind working. Plus I get to help people.
EbolaMonkey
Sounds like you've found what most never will (purpose/calling). Congrats! I raise my favorite beverage to you (coffee) hah! tequila later.
justforth
Why advice? Be happy. Accept who you are and that you can do good with this exceptional gift.
sofakingsleepy
Advice from anyone who has the same thing or knows if there is something wrong or not. I mean you just gave good advice.
justforth
True - that was advice, actually. But still, no wiseass remarks on my side. I really believe that not being pulled down by "bad" experiences
justforth
doesn´t make you less human, just because many people like to wear their "hearts on their sleeves". Just as you are not your emotions either
sofakingsleepy
Thanks I really appreciate what you and everyone else has had to say. Definitely puts my mind at ease
Zonnzzy
As someone similar, people are different. I'm not haunted by the terrible stuff I've seen either some people can deal and some people dwell
Sticklebrickk
I just kind of have that original 'oh fuck' moment, and maybe dwell on it for a few days, but nothing haunts me.
CongratsYouAreHereNow
i found my best friend dead, decomposing, in the back of a hot car in a LA parking lot, several days after he died from a heroin overdose 1/
CongratsYouAreHereNow
i recognized instantly that he was dead, but also that that wasn't him, it was his body. it's sad that he died, but it's all in context 2/2
Zonnzzy
Used to think something was wrong with me as well. But as long as you can feel sympathy and empathy you're good imo.
sofakingsleepy
I'm glad I'm not the only one. It seems the only posts that get to the FB are about how hard it is for people,
sofakingsleepy
I haven't seen one about the other side how things didn't bother people.
dhaskjdhawyajhdbsdbgwakjhbdnmcckclkklkl
(2) those posts, as opposed to someone posting, "Yeah guys, doesnt really bother me." People dont find that as interesting.
sofakingsleepy
I agree. Which is unfortunate for me because I began to think that's how I was suppose to be.
dhaskjdhawyajhdbsdbgwakjhbdnmcckclkklkl
People are much quicker to broadcast anything that gets them empathy, sympathy, or pity. And people are more willing to listen and share (1)
SirSheepsalot
Did you always feel this way or did your skin thicken?
sofakingsleepy
Been this way as long as I can remember