Don’t Wait Until You Break
May 1998
July 2008�Assigned to Southeast Minnesota�Narcotics & Gang Task Force
After working full-time in law enforcement for 7-8 years started seeing a therapist
Mood swings
Anxiety
Hypervigilant
Third highest violent crime rate in the state of MN per capita
April 2017
It’s a new way of life – learning the cop “quirks” and negotiator basics.
JUST THREE WEEKS…
Drinking became worse
Started sleeping more
More moody
Less involved with the family
Stopped taking medications
Resistant to seeing therapist
2019
Symptoms continued to worsen
Five family deaths within six months
Son involved in MVA
Drinking is out of control
Sought marriage counseling
March 2020 “ultimatum”
Sept - December 2020
2021
Complacent
No longer proactive
Flashbacks
Severe anxiety
Uncontrollable- thoughts
Why stay when so many reasons to leave?
“You will always hold a significant place in my life. I don’t know why you reached out that night to ask if I had submitted my application or why you kept responding, but I’m so glad you did because what you don’t know is that my bags were packed and I was leaving that night. Except the only thing in my bag was a 9mm. And while I told myself over and over that it was selfish and my kids don’t deserve that, I didn’t know how to fix my situation, and as an RN and a Mom, that is what I do. I fix. Everyone in my house was sleeping and I had just closed the gun safe when your message came through and you…you kept responding. And for that alone I will forever be grateful. We are in such an amazing place as a family now. I’m so glad I didn’t miss out on this.
Thank you - Sara”
…but it’s only the beginning
“How can you take care of them when you cannot even take care of yourself?”
“But I miss them” whined the knight. “I want to go back to them in the worst way.”
“And that is exactly how you will be going back if you go in your armor.”
Brainspotting EMDR
Neuro feedback Talk therapy
Meditation Breathing exercises
Yoga
We see you! We hear you! You are not alone!
Dave 507-273-4716
Christi 507-438-7577