5 Signs Your Job-Related Stress Is Actually Workplace Trauma (& What To Do Next)
Workplace trauma impacts millions. A career coach explains how you can survive it.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever suffered silently through workplace trauma.
If you are unsure, it may have taken the form of bullying, power plays, verbal abuse, or toxic culture.
It’s far more common than you might think and it can be completely debilitating.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is on the rise among employees, according to the most recent Mental Health Index by Total Brain and the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions. The risk of PTSD has increased by 36% since February 2021, and 55% since the start of the pandemic.
Additionally, stress, anxiety, and depression continue to creep up, especially for female employees: women have reported an 18% increase in stress and a 14% increase in depressed mood. Please remember, you’re not alone.
So what is workplace trauma exactly, and what effects does it have on people?
Workplace-induced emotional trauma (a.k.a. corporate PTSD)
Workplace trauma often stems from bullying, racism, sexism, poor boundaries, and even assault. Working in these toxic work environments can lead to anxiety, depression and panic attacks, eating disorders, and physical symptoms such as chronic IBS and migraines or worse.
Experiencing this trauma can have a long-term impact not only on your career but also on your physical and emotional well-being.
Who can experience workplace trauma?
Anyone can experience this in the workplace given the right recipe.
This toxic mix is often the result of power imbalances between management and lower-level employees. As a result, it can be difficult to report any misconduct to your supervisor.
Lack of effective communication is often an issue and becomes even more problematic when race, gender, and age dynamics come into play.
Many experience work burnout and overload as they keep to themselves and to appease those wielding power and influence in a toxic culture.
Ways Corporate PTSD & workplace anxiety may show up in your life:
- Anxiety, depression, or complex grief
- Sleeplessness
- Irritability
- Lack of focus and concentration
- Intrusive thoughts
- Isolating or avoidant behaviors
- Negative coping mechanisms
Ways Corporate PTSD & workplace anxiety may unknowingly affect you:
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Physical aches and pains
- Loss of energy or interest in normal activities
- Limited expectations about life
- Confusion and loss of direction
Steps you can take to start to heal from this deep level of trauma and reclaim your peace of mind:
1. Take time for yourself.
Get plenty of rest, exercise, and eat nutritious food that nurtures your well-being. Get out into nature and reconnect with yourself.
2. Identify your needs.
Start by examining your values and fundamental needs in your job. This will assist you in better understanding what boundaries got crossed, leaving you feeling the way you do.
3. Feel what you need to feel.
Your feelings are yours, and yours alone. No one has a right to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be feeling.
4. Journal about how you’re feeling.
Trauma arises when we can’t effectively process our own emotions. Journaling is a great first step in helping you get those overwhelming emotions out of your head and heart.
5. Seek and accept support.
Find a coach or therapist who provides you with the safe and confidential space you need to process your thoughts and feelings and make sense of what happened.
If left unchecked, your trauma can take a significant toll on your mental and physical well-being.
Being bullied in the workplace created a massive case of imposter syndrome for me, which took years to recover from. It was the pivotal event, however, that led me to my life’s work, which is why I’m so passionate about helping others overcome it at a deeper subconscious level for long-lasting results.
This doesn’t have to be your story. You can recover from workplace trauma more quickly than you realize. Life is too short to live with this trauma and fear stuck in your mind, heart, and body.
It’s time to rewrite your story for greater peace of mind and well-being. It is time to take your power back, increase your confidence, and reclaim your peace of mind.
