Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at work can be especially difficult to manage. If you have PTSD and a job, you probably know that PTSD-related stress and symptoms can make it difficult to get your job and fit in with your co-workers. Dealing with symptoms of your PTSD at work can be very difficult, but it can be done with careful planning and preparation.
PTSD and your work
PTSD symptoms can definitely interfere with your life at work. Do you know any of these situations?
- You sometimes feel disconnected or detached from people who can disrupt your work relationships, as well as how you get along with family and friends.
- You get less pleasure from activities you enjoyed, maybe even work. If your work becomes less enjoyable or rewarding than it used to be, you may not feel like doing it – and others may see it.
- You become very anxious and feel on edge when you are in a large crowd, making commuting uncomfortable for you.
You may also experience other situations that are difficult to manage due to your PTSD . For example, you may be caught and put to the test when you are in a closed meeting room. Or maybe you are often shocked by sudden loud noises in your workplace. In addition, some of your work problems may result from problems concentrating or not getting enough sleep.
Learn to identify your PTSD symptoms
It makes sense that it is difficult to manage PTSD symptoms if you sometimes do not know what you have. A great way to start learning more is to spend time on PTSD symptoms. This is an old saying but a true one: the more you know about a subject, the more control you can have over it.
Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Avoid thoughts, feelings, places or objects that remind you of the traumatic event
- nightmares
- flash back
- Feel guilty about the trauma
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling anxious or tense
- Lost interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Forget important facts about the trauma
Managing work strategies
You cannot compartmentalize PTSD at work, so it is important to take steps to make your work experience more comfortable for you and your colleagues. It is not only useful in itself; It also provides a strong foundation to help you build other coping skills. The coping strategies and tips presented here can help.
- Know your triggers
Monitoring your emotional responses to situations can help you raise your awareness of things that are causing your PTSD symptoms . Put it into practice at work. For example, be aware of specific activities, places, or interactions with colleagues that evoke unpleasant memories or thoughts about a traumatic event.
- List ways you would deal with triggers
Once you have identified some of the PTSD symptoms you have or may have at work, plan ahead. Write down strategies you can use to deal with the triggers when they appear, and carry the list with you.
Then, if you feel that one of your PTSD triggers is overtaking you, look at your coping strategy list, pick one, use it and notice how well it works.
Workwise, there are a number of coping skills that you can take place almost anywhere in action, whether you are in a meeting, at lunch with co-workers, or on the way to work. Some coping strategies that work well and can be used on the spot include deep breathing , awareness, and fundamentals. Keep in mind that the more strategies you can find and put on your list, the better prepared you will be to manage your PTSD at work.
As time goes on, get comfortable with your trigger control strategies in a variety of work situations.
Take note of those who work best in specific work settings and encounters.
- Plan how you will handle in unexpected situations
You are probably well aware that even the best planning may not always prepare you for the times when PTSD symptoms surprise you. But you can develop a safety plan for when that happens. Your plan may include:
- A list of supportive people you can call. Make sure you put more than one number on the list if the first person you call is not available.
- If you have a therapist, and you can contact him or her outside of your sessions, ask if you can put the number on your list.
- If you are on medication that you can take if needed, make sure you always have it with you.
- Do not forget your list of trigger control control strategies.
- Have a plan to leave really difficult situations
Even with your careful preparation for managing your PTSD triggers, there will inevitably be times at work when your symptoms are triggered and you begin to feel out of control. To be ready for such a situation, plan what you will say if you have to excuse yourself from your co-workers. The goal is not avoidance, but the opportunity to be alone while putting your coping strategies to work.
