“They Meant What by That?” – Malignant Misattribution and PTSD in First Responders

Ever catch yourself thinking, “What did they mean by that?” or “That look… I know they’re talking about me”—and suddenly you’re spiraling? You’re not alone. There’s a name for this kind of thinking: malignant misattribution. And for many first responders dealing with PTSD, it’s not just a random bad day. It’s a symptom.

Malignant misattribution means you assume harmful or negative intent behind someone’s words or actions—even when there’s none. It’s like your brain fills in the blanks with the worst possible explanation. That sideways glance? Disrespect. That silence? Rejection. That tone? Definitely aimed at you.

But why does this happen?

Because your brain is trained for danger. You’ve seen the worst of humanity, a malevolence that destroys your soul. You’ve been lied to, manipulated, and blindsided. So, your mind starts reading between the lines, trying to protect you—but instead, it starts hurting you.

What you’re doing is making meaning out of survival. The problem is, trauma rewires how we see the world—and suddenly, everything feels personal, everything feels like a threat. Even the people who care about us can feel like enemies.

Here’s the truth:

When you’re carrying unhealed trauma, your nervous system stays in survival mode. Hypervigilance kicks in. You start scanning the room for danger that isn’t there. You read people wrong. You hear tones that weren’t meant. You take things personal that weren’t even about you. That’s malignant misattribution.

And it doesn’t make you crazy. It makes you human. A human who’s been through too much.

So what do we do about it?

1. Call it what it is.

Just knowing there’s a name for this helps. This isn’t just “overreacting”—it’s a trauma response. Once you name it, you can start to work with it instead of being ruled by it.

2. Slow down your story.

When your mind jumps to a conclusion, pause and ask: “Is there another possibility here?” Sometimes, that one second of curiosity is enough to shift everything.

3. Talk to someone who gets it.

Whether it’s a therapist, a chaplain, a buddy you trust—don’t go it alone. We weren’t built to carry this stuff in silence.

4. Rewire the brain.

PTSD healing is possible. Whether through EMDR, mindfulness, trauma-informed counseling, or faith-based support, the brain can heal. The goal isn’t to stop being alert—it’s to stop assuming danger in every interaction.

Final thoughts:

If you’ve found yourself pulling away from people, replaying conversations in your head, or assuming people are against you—this might not be “just stress.” It might be trauma talking. And the good news? Trauma has a voice, but it doesn’t get the final word.

You deserve healing. You deserve peace. And no—everyone isn’t out to get you. That’s just your nervous system trying to keep you alive.

But you’re already alive. Time to start living.

Stay safe out there.

-Tom

Rise Up in Fight Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing mental health awareness, trauma recovery, and spiritual support to firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and other first responders. We provide free, life-saving training and resources to departments across the country—but we can’t do it alone. Your donations make this mission possible. To support our work and help us keep fighting for those who fight for everyone else, visit www.riseupfight.org/donate.