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  PTSD in Our Current Lifestyle

  Jun 28, 2024

  What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or better known as PTSD?

  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects not only war or military veterans but anyone who has experienced or witnessed trauma. The National Center for PTSD (2023) reports that about 60% of men and 50% of women experience at least one trauma in their lifetime. Recovery times vary, with some people recovering within months and others taking years or experiencing delayed onset. PTSD can be treated with various therapies and medications. It's crucial to acknowledge and address the significant impact of trauma, such as the effects of PTSD on work life, rather than avoiding it.

  A.    Effects of PTSD in work-life

  Common types of toxic or otherwise traumatic workplace conditions that have been linked to PTSD include:

  1. Safety hazards - Unsafe working environment, such as neglected safety requirements or poor maintenance, can cause physical harm and trauma. Examples, like not following COVID-19 guidelines, unsafe elevators, poor ventilation, and outdated security systems, all leading to potential PTSD.

  2. Bullying, harassment, and assault - Employees who experience verbal, physical, or sexual abuse at work can lead to PTSD. If action isn’t taken, victims suffer psychological distress, lose trust in their colleagues and leaders, self-doubt, and feel unsafe at work.

  3. Power imbalances - Workplace hierarchies can create an environment where employees fear speaking out against abuse. This imbalance of power creates feelings of insecurity, helplessness, and isolation, contributing to work-related trauma and PTSD.

  4. Cut-throat competition - Highly competitive workplaces often lead to overwork, not enough of sleep, lack of trust and poor work-life balance. These conditions can have long-term psychological effects and contribute to PTSD.

  5. Isolation from support - Abusive bosses and forced overtime or weekend works can distance employees from their support systems. This isolation from coworkers, family, and friends, combined with bringing work problems home, creates additional stress and can result in PTSD.

   

  B.    How to overcome PTSD?

  Certain actions can help to reduce your distressing symptoms and make things better. Plus, these actions can result in changes that last into the future. Here are some positive coping methods:

  1.     Learn about trauma and PTSD

  Understanding common reactions to trauma and the symptoms of PTSD can help you realize you are not alone or weak. Knowing that many others share your experiences can empower you to seek treatment and better cope with your symptoms.

  2.     Distract yourself with positive activities

  Pleasant recreational or work activities help distract a person from their memories and reactions such as meditation, swimming, stretching, yoga, listening to quiet music, spending time in nature and so on.

  3.     Talking to your doctor or a counselor about trauma and PTSD

  When coping strategies fail or symptoms worsen, seeking professional help from a doctor or counselor is crucial. They can offer therapy, medication, and other treatments for managing PTSD symptoms and improve overall health.

   

  To wrap up, PTSD isn't just for certain groups, it can happen to anyone, even in the workplace. Understanding how it can affect us is key to making workplaces safer and helping people heal. By learning about PTSD, asking for support, and finding healthy ways to cope, we can beat it and look forward to better days ahead.

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