What is Workplace Trauma?

When you think of how many hours you spend at work, it can almost feel like a second home, so it should be a place where you should feel safe and supported in carrying out your official duties.

Workplace trauma is an employee's physical or psychological response to a crisis or critical incident, a response that can interfere with normal functioning. It is one of the most traumatising things a person can experience in the workplace.

According to Forbes workplace trauma used to be associated with people working in professions like the military, firefighting, policing, and first-responders. But recent research has shown that trauma is widespread among employees and it can impact workers in any industry beyond these high-risk/high-stress jobs. It can be for a multitude of reasons that often go overlooked or ignored.

Workplace trauma can come in these forms

Stressful and life-threatening events

Work-related accidents/injury, death or suicide of a colleague, exposure to infectious diseases, threats of violence and harm.

Organisational stressors

Bullying, harassment, unresolved or ongoing conflicts, discrimination, chronic pressure, excessive workload, downsizing or fear of retrenchment.

Unsafe work environment

Constant noise, chaotic environment, fear for physical safety, working amid construction, and any adverse physical work conditions.

External threats

Lockdown, fire, robbery, terrorist attacks

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What are the common symptoms of Workplace Trauma?

The signs and symptoms may be physical, mental and emotional. Some common signs of mental trauma include:

• Feeling numb

• Trouble sleeping

• Trouble concentrating

• Inability to maintain a regular routine

• Feeling constant pressure to overwork

• Digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Anxiety, panic attacks and depression

• Relationship issues such as withdrawal from friends or family

• Unprompted bursts of anger or aggression

These symptoms can lead to hallucinations as well as more extreme forms like depression or anxiety disorders.

How can you deal with Workplace Trauma?

While it can be very tempting to deal with trauma by pretending it does not exist, or by resorting to unhealthy forms of stress management e.g., turning to alcohol, drug abuse, binge eating, drinking too much caffeine, smoking, excessive sleeping and engaging in life-threatening activities. 

There are much better ways to cope once you learn how to deal with trauma at work. Here are some self-care suggestions.

Face your feelings head-on

Do not avoid or minimise your feelings, admit that, however impressive your credentials, you are as human as anyone else

Do not isolate yourself

Talk about your experience and feelings with trusted people family, friends or colleagues who will not discount how you feel or tell you to forget about it.

Be kind to yourself

Spend time engaging in healthy and calming activities e.g. exercise, eating healthy meals, meditating, and enjoyable hobbies that can help you relax and stay grounded. Take time out whenever needed and have adequate rest.

Stick to schedules or routines that you are comfortable with

Return to your normal day-to-day schedule as soon as possible, as this can help you re-establish a sense of normalcy and regain a sense of control over your life.

Slow down

Do not rush into making major changes in your life or to your routines, you can go over your personal goals and try to build a better relationship with family, friends and your community.

Seek professional help

If you recognize symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or another disorder in yourself, get treatment immediately to deal with trauma as soon as possible.

Get regular sleep and exercise

Hurry only when essential, and enjoy all the time off you earn.

Trauma does not go away overnight. Even when you have been doing hard work on yourself, triggers can unexpectedly pop up as reminders of past pain. Practice compassion for yourself and your process. Healing takes time. Pay attention to your needs, and then do what you can to meet those needs and you will be ok.

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