Job PTSD
Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee! I hope you’re relaxing, enjoying this first day of a new week, and I hope that your past week was a good one. I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘work’ this week. Past employees and colleagues touch base with me consistently, as in every day I hear from someone, have coffee or lunch with someone, even my former bosses are people I continue to communicate with and value as life long friends. Well, ok, SOME of them. Not all. It’s the law of averages, right? You aren’t going to enjoy every single person with whom you work, and not every one of them is going to enjoy you. Especially not when you work in organizations with a few thousand employees. We have to accept that. And not every work environment in which we find ourselves is healthy. Shoot! I’ve done work with organizations that number a handful of employees that struggled with maintaining a respectful workplace, so I’d venture to say that where two or more are gathered…things can go south.
This past week I heard more stories about job related trauma than I heard ones about happy work experiences. It was just that kind of week, I guess. It made me me think, though…(you know how when people share their trauma there’s always a part of your brain that revisits your own?)…and so a few times this week, I remembered some workplace trauma of my own, and I realized that I’ve had very little personal trauma in my life, but a whole lot of job-related mess for which I’ve relied on mentors and a therapist to get through. We relay these stories in an entertaining way after the fact, don’t we? Like battlefield stories. Like war stories. Like we’re survivors. And. You know. We are.
Workplace trauma doesn’t just occur in environments like prisons or on the streets as a peace officer or in legitimate war zones. It can happen in any workplace, and it comes in many forms, not just from a threat of physical violence. Job PTSD, also known as work-related post-traumatic stress disorder, refers to a psychological condition that occurs as a result of experiencing traumatic events or ongoing stress in the workplace, and similar to other forms of PTSD, job PTSD can have a significant impact on your mental health and overall well-being.
Common causes of job PTSD can include:
1. Workplace violence: Experiencing or witnessing physical assault, threats, or harassment in the workplace.
2. Traumatic incidents: Being exposed to accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events while on the job.
3. High-stress environments: Working in demanding or high-pressure environments that lead to chronic stress and emotional strain.
4. Occupational hazards: Regular exposure to dangerous or life-threatening situations, such as emergency responders or military personnel.
5. Bullying or harassment: Persistent psychological or emotional abuse from colleagues, superiors, or subordinates. This includes passive aggressive behavior, gossip, retaliatory actions (and not just from supervisors. Subordinates often bully-up and bully their coworkers), and of course all negative actions associated with a respectful workplace and/or DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).
6. Work-related trauma: Being involved in or witnessing traumatic incidents directly related to one's job, such as healthcare professionals, peace officers, and believe it or not, educators. We think of schools as benevolent places, but educators witness so many traumatic events that are enacted on the children in their care. These are stories we don’t share, but instead tuck away in our weary heart of hearts.
Everyone has some story of at least one time they experienced or witnessed trauma at work in one of these categories. It’s when the trauma and stress are acute or chronic that it becomes a serious health threat.
Symptoms of job PTSD can include:
1. Flashbacks or intrusive memories of the traumatic event(s).
2. Nightmares related to work experiences.
3. Avoidance of work-related triggers, such as specific locations or tasks.
4. Hyperarousal and hypervigilance, constantly being on edge or easily startled.
5. Emotional distress, including feelings of anxiety, anger, guilt, or sadness.
6. Difficulty concentrating or experiencing memory problems.
7. Social withdrawal or isolating oneself from colleagues or friends.
8. Physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or gastrointestinal issues.
Imma be honest…I’ve experienced all of these. They’re no joke. Every so often throughout my career, I’ve taken a break from this career pathway I love so dearly to do something else for a while, then I historically have gone back when I get offered a gig that I realize could really make a difference in other people’s lives. During those breaks, there are always other kinds of stress, like hustling for my next paycheck, getting a business off the ground, then selling said business, etc…but even with the hustle, the feeling of relief of being out of a toxic work environment is so enormous, it should have been a big ol’ sign in my younger days. I started paying better attention once I hit 40. I hired a career coach/mentor/therapist, and I worked diligently on acquiring better coping skills, a healthier life/work balance, and tools to head off any trauma at work that was self-made. It made a gigantic difference in my life and my career. It also gave me the knowledge and courage to get out when there’s no hope that the environment is going to get better, no matter what I do. In the words of the immortal Kenny Rogers, you gotta know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em. Nothing wrong with standing up for yourself or making an intelligent exit or next move if it means saving your physical or mental well-being.
If you’re experiencing job PTSD, I’m going to tell you that it’s essential to seek professional help from a mental health provider. Treatment options can include therapy, counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and implementing stress management techniques. Employers can also play a crucial role by promoting a supportive work environment, offering counseling services, and implementing policies to prevent and address workplace trauma. If you’re looking for a mentor/coach, give me a shout. I’m not a therapist, but I’ve learned a lot about leadership and working with others that may be valuable to you on your journey. The tools I gained from my mentor have kept me on my career path for a couple of decades now. Working with her and a mental health professional made all the difference for my personal health and career success. And no matter what…
…take care of yourself out there.
