As we're about to wrap up June, we come upon National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Day. This is one of the most important days of June. It is a day when we are supposed to support those with a potentially deadly mental affliction. Supporting those affected by PTSD is of the utmost importance, at times it is a constant fight against oneself. It's a struggle that is not easy to win, so you shouldn't have to fight it alone.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by exposure to a terrifying event. This event is usually so stress-inducing, that it completely warps and changes parts of the brain. The warping of the brain causes it to act, and think differently. It affects the decisions made by the person impacted with PTSD.
This is an almond-shaped 1-inch section of the brain, it is commonly known as the fire alarm of the brain. This is the section of the brain that is in charge of your fight, flight, or freeze response to dangerous situations. This section of the brain when suffering from PTSD no longer acts normally. It can turn on whenever it shouldn't as well as there are times when it will not turn off. Some people live the rest of their lives on edge under constant and immense amounts of stress due to PTSD.
This is the learning center of the brain. after suffering a traumatic event and becoming afflicted with PTSD this section of the brain will shrink and become less active. This results in issues in memory, problem-solving, trouble distinguishing past from present, being in a state of hypervigilance, and extreme emotional reactivity.
This is the front part of the brain that is responsible for your main rational decision-making. When suffering from trauma this part of the brain becomes less active. This makes it very difficult for people to control their fear response. Especially when coupled with an overactive Amygdala, a less active prefrontal cortex can leave someone in a never-ending state of fear.
Now that we understand a little more about what's going on inside of someone's brain who has PTSD. We can use this to help us understand how to help people struggling with it. Whenever someone is suffering from PTSD and they have limited rational decision-making, possible flashbacks, and are very afraid even if there is no threat.
The best thing you can do is approach slowly, with no sudden movements, and try to listen more than you speak. The goal is to comfort them in whatever way works best for them. Some may want to be held, which you should always ask before touching someone in this state. Some may not want to be touched and just want someone to listen. Others don't want to talk or touch but may simply just want you there to have your presence.
We at Bio-One Scottsdale understand the stress that those with PTSD experience. The owner, Richard Weinblatt was in Law Enforcement for decades. Richard served as a deputy sheriff on the Mexican border, as well as Police captain in Indiana, and Chief of police in North Carolina. Due to his background, Richard has a truly vast amount of experience in helping those in a state of crisis.
Richard has passed on this experience to the team of Bio-One Scottsdale. This allows its technicians to help those in a state of crisis as well. We don't just do the work that you call us for, we are there for you. We truly care about our customers and are prepared to support them. We're not scared of being a shoulder to cry on. In the end, for us at Bio-One Scottsdale, it is always help first business second.
If you have any questions, you can reach out to us at any time. We are always here to help.
"Help First, Business Second"
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(480) 276-4061
We have both Sandi E. and Sandy L. in the corporate office wearing Bio-One's custom masks! As COVID-19 is still very much present, Bio-One continues to wear masks. While wearing a mask isn't new in the crime scene cleaning world, now we can wear them in style in the corporate office and out in the world. Stay safe everyone!
Megan and Amanda Boccardi, owners of Bio-One of STC and Bio-One of Central MO help clean and disinfect a local gym - a St. Peter's Fitness Center. As COVID-19 is hitting the United States everyday, Bio-One continues to take action. Help first is what we do and we'll be here during this time of need.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
Someone with anxiety needs a little extra love from the people around them. Here are some things you can do.
1. Learn what anxiety looks like - people can experience anxiety in different ways. The more you know, the better you can understand and help.
2. Work through the feelings - if someone is anxious about something, you can sit down and help them figure out what might be causing those feelings. Knowing the source and figuring out possible outcomes might help put their mind at ease.
3. Don't label them - if you want to avoid worse feelings, make sure they know you don't see them as your anxiety friend. Keep your relationship about your friendship instead of always making it about their anxiety.
4. Help them get professional help if needed - sometimes going to a professional is the best way to go. Let your loved one know it's not weird or bad at all to talk to someone and that there is a chance of feeling better.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
Winter is in full force and if you live in a cold state, you may have already seen a few blizzards this year. Don't let the weather get the best of you - here are some winter safety tips.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If it seems like a good idea to start your car in the garage to warm it up, don't! It's best to open the garage and take the car out to let it warm up.
Mittens Vs. Gloves
The dexterity of gloves are handy, but mittens generate more heat from your fingers touching each other.
Traction
Keep kitty litter and rock salt in the trunk of your car to give your wheels traction in a pinch!
Canned Food
Keep some non perishables in your pantry in case the electricity goes out or a winter storm hits!
Shuffle
If you're worried about running into a patch of black ice on a cold day, shuffle your feet instead of taking long strides. Falling can sprain wrists and bruise your bum and ego.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
The holidays are about joy but if you find yourself feeling down, here are some ways to avoid that.
1. Exercise on the regular - your body has a way of balancing itself out when you give it what it needs. Make time for a 10-20 minute walk or take a swim to boost your endorphins.
2. Be aware of yourself - keep track of bad thougts going on inside. Don't let them take over and ruin your day. Try thinkig of 5 things you're thankful for instead.
3. Choose who you want to be around - maybe some of your family isn't quite a treat, even during the holidays. If someone brings you down, you don't need to spend time with them.
4. Don't look at facebook - what's worse than not experience joy? Seeing other people's joy. Just because people are posting happy pictures doessn't mean that's what their whole life is made up of. Keep your mind positive and stay off of facebook!
5. Embrace new traditions - sometimes what messes you up most the expectation you see in your head. If everything isn't how you imagined it, try embracing what's real in your life.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
When you lose a loved one, the world around you changes but the affecets you feel on the inside are so strong. After the initial shock goes away, our brains have a way of protecting us in a way that changes how we function.
Grief can affect your daily life in these ways:
Many of these functions are located in your frontal lobe and limbic system, controlling your emotions and ability to perform. If you feel like you've changed after a tragedy in your life, you may be right. Coping can be difficult, but there are resources to help you. Click here to find coping resources.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
When you know or live with someone who is struggling. It can be hard to watch. You want to know what's wrong and so do they. Sometimes we don't always know what's going on inside but we feel it. Being there for them while they figure things out or are working through a rough time in their life can be the best thing you can do.
Here's a list of ways you can be supportive.
1. Bring them food – make them a home cooked meal or bring them some yummy takeout.
2. Help with errands – maybe they just need to pick up the dry cleaning or mail a package. That's a simple task you can add to your day and take away from theirs.
3. See a movie – sometimes getting out or even staying in and watching a movie can help take some stress off your stressed loved one.
4. Ask them what you can do – we try to imagine how people need help but why not just ask?
5. Housesit or babysit – do they have kids? If so, why not watch their little ones or home while they're gone so they can catch a break.
6. Keep them company – maybe they are feeling lonely or don't want to go to an appointment by themself. Why not be with them and give them the courage and company they need.
7. Give them a thoughtful gift – maybe they haven't had the time to get their nails done or buy that special coffee they leave. Treat them.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
June is National Safety Month. This can mean a lot of different things but the type of safety we want to talk about is your personal safety from acts of violence.
T I P S
1. Make eye contact with people that concern you. Sometimes all an attacker is looking for is an easy target and they aren't interested in people that will put up a fight. They now know you've seen their face.
2. Don't be afraid to say no to politeness. If you feel uneasy about someone who stepped into the elevator, just step off. You don't have to stay on just to avoid an awkward situation.
3. Avoid parking next to vans or large vehicles that can quickly grab you as you're trying to get into your car.
4. Don't sit in your car, especially at night. Always park and get to where you are going. The longer you wait in your car, the more of a target you are.
5. Be aware of scams. If you see someone needing help on the side of the road, call 9-1-1 and keep driving. If you get pulled over alone, you are allowed to call the police and very that the person who pulled you over is a valid police officer.
6. Practice being aware. Know who is walking behind you. If you're walking alone at night, take out your headphones and get off the phone. These are all described as distracted behavior that attackers look for.
7. Escape is always the best option. Even if this means you may get hurt in the process, don't be afraid to scream, fight, and do what it takes to get away. Never let anyone take you anywhere without a fight.
A little self awareness can go a long way! The more you understand about how people are targeted, the better you can make safe decisions that will become second nature to you.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
If you find yourself looking at a crime scene, your initial reaction may be to clean it yourself. You may want it to be gone as soon as possible and that's completely understandable. Here's some reasons why you shouldn't do that.
1. Fluids! Coming into contact with bodily fluids, especially blood, can be harmful. It can carry disease and pathogens that you just don't want on or near your body!
2. Invisible to the eye! If you don't take care of all of it, you can still recieve harmful effects. This means if you try and clean it and leave behind any traces of the scene (even germs and pathogens you can't see), your home won't be as sanitary as you think it is. You know how they say won't you don't know won't hurt you? Well in this case, it can.
3. Don't stress! While you may be worried that you can't afford crime scene cleaners, your insurance will usually take care of it! Don't let this detail keep you from getting the professionals in the door!
Never try to clean a crime scene yourself! You'll be happier, more sanitary, and less stressed when you let the professionals come take care of it. View our Bio-One locations if you need help.