Many firefighters silently suffer from PTSD

Dozens of firefighters are killed each year in the line of duty and thousands more are injured. Many also suffer invisible wounds including post traumatic stress disorder. Chip Reid visited a new center in Maryland where they can get treatment.
Subscribe to the "CBS Evening News" Channel HERE: bit.ly/1S7Dhik
Watch Full Episodes of the "CBS Evening News" HERE: cbsn.ws/23XekKA
Watch the latest installment of "On the Road," only on the "CBS Evening News," HERE: cbsn.ws/23XwqMH
Follow "CBS Evening News" on Instagram: bit.ly/1T8icTO
Like "CBS Evening News" on Facebook HERE: on. 1KxYobb
Follow the "CBS Evening News" on Twitter HERE: bit.ly/1O3dTTe
Follow the "CBS Evening News" on Google+ HERE: bit.ly/1Qs0aam
Get your news on the go! Download CBS News mobile apps HERE: cbsn.ws/1Xb1WC8
Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream local news live, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! bit.ly/1OQA29B
---
The "CBS Evening News" premiered as a half-hour broadcast on Sept. 2, 1963. Check local listings for CBS Evening News broadcast times.

[@roberttimmons7186]

I was a firefighter for 35 years. 1971 to 2006, I refused to accept I had PTSD. In 2012 while working for a security service in Honolulu I fell apart. The nightmares had been eating at me for years. The question : Was there more I could have done? After talking to a physiatrist and explaining what I felt and my past I was told I had Traumatic PTSD. I came to the mainland and could not get the help I needed. It still haunts me today. I have made a plan to end it, but I think of my kids and grandchildren. There are times that is not enough. If your a firefighter, paid or volunteer, PTSD IS REAL, don't let it control you, get help asap. God Bless all my brother & sister firefighters . I know help is out there for you.

[@geraldwilson681]

I was a volunteer firefighter from 1981 to 2011. I have seen dead people including a 14 year old girl trapped in a structure fire we couldn't rescue in time. I have been to accident scenes and seen people injured bad specifically one guy with blood all over him and his one leg broken and twisted around. After years of trying to bury this about 5 years ago I reached out to counseling and was diagnosed with chronic PTSD. To my fellow firefighters please get help don't keep this inside of you!! God bless all😔

[@crweewrc1388]

God bless you. You are a hero and I respect you 👨‍🚒

[@geraldwilson681]

@@crweewrc1388 Thank you sincerely. Please support your first responders any way you can do so.

[@mikewal.8736]

I didn't think we deserved to say we have PTSD because soldiers are the ones fighting for our freedom. Guess I was wrong huh :D

[@Ray092684]

I still have a hard time accepting it. It's hard not to view it as a weakness.

[@billyingram3492]

Never gave this a thought. I joined as a volunteer at 15 years old. Gave 9 years as a volunteer. Seen things ill never get out of my head. Was always told its part of the job.

[@joshpoinsett1972]

We just say I'll deal with it later but we never deal with it

[@johnrichardson2632]

Only if you are part of their union. They won’t help any other firefighter

[@zigman3105]

Soldiers are able to use marijuana for their PTSD. Firefighters are not. How? Why?

[@TristenTheArgonian]

Where did you hear that?

[@zigman3105]

@juice What facts do you have to say otherwise?

[@mrdarkshoe]

@@SmoothBore-iq9wp Not entirely true, just depends on what drug you take, weed is relatively harmless, and in moderation definitely has benefits for people struggling with stress.