PTSD IN THE WORKPLACE
Try thinking of the last time you had stress at the workplace and coping with it. You may have felt anxious and afraid of it. But you have moved on from the experience as it may be short term. When you are burdened by stress, fear for weeks and months, it is quite harmful and may even stay with you over a long period of time according to the best psychologist in India. The symptoms and effects are there for a long period and hence you may need someone who can resolve all your problems. They may be having post traumatic stress disorder or which is known as PTSD.
It is possible that someone at your workplace may also be fighting with this kind of tough situation. They can have the feeling of staying in an environment which is hostile and confusing, and there is a possibility that they may be looking for someone with whom they can talk to. If you or any of your friends are experiencing PTSD in the workplace, symptoms do visit a psychologist near you. Although some of them don't like to talk about the trauma they had gone through, they may not find themself comfortable in sharing the situation they had gone through. People may feel alone and avoided, feelings like discouragement and hopelessness may also be there. But a counsellor or psychologist is the person who is best to help in this scenario. So do not hesitate in seeking professional help from a psychologist or counsellor.
PTSD is caused by some actual injury or threats, sexual injuries or sexual violence, natural disasters, accidents, robberies. It is also most common in the survivors of rape and occupations with high risk exposure to trauma as that of fire fighters, police and emergency medical personnels.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a serious condition in which the person is faced by some serious traumatic condition and people with PTSD may suffer from severe distress over a prolonged period of time. Although it is normal to face some trauma in life, when the person has some serious issues like depression and anxiety which is carried over a long period of time like weeks and years is called PTSD. These symptoms may appear soon after the trauma also as explained by the best psychologist in india. .
Common symptoms of PTSD
The symptoms of PTSD fall under three categories.
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Intrusive: People with PTSD may have nightmares and flashbacks about the trauma they have faced. These thoughts may be triggered by some events or situations or conversations happening in their life. It makes them feel as if they are reliving the moments.
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Arousal: People who are having PTSD have their first symptom of hyperarousal. It is basically a state of alarm. It gives symptoms like insomnia, fear, concentration problems or one may be startled up easily and quickly.
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Avoidance: People with PTSD now may try to avoid the trauma or things related to it. They may stop going to the places which remind them of the trauma or they may stop talking to the people who may remind them of the trauma. People may also feel depressed, worried and may also feel emotionally numb and stay aways from their friends or family preferring to be alone.
PTSD at the workplace:
According to Psychologists, People who are suffering from PTSD may be showing some symptoms at the workplace. They are:
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Memory problems
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Difficulty in retaining the information
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Concentration problems
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Fear
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Anxiety
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Physical problems
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Relationship with coworkers is quite poor
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Reactions to situations which triggers trauma
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Absent from work
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Sleep issues
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Panic attacks
Employees with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) need to be supported.
Managers and coworkers who demonstrate patience and compassion can help employees with PTSD. It's difficult to live with PTSD. Negative habits and poor work performance are not fully under the individual's control. This is what the best psychologist in India suggests: patience as a good help for people dealing with PTSD at the workplace.
It is critical to create a work environment and culture that supports and encourages help-seeking behaviour, including seeking treatment for mental health issues. It's critical to encourage employees who may be suffering from PTSD to seek therapy. Although PTSD can disappear on its own, it is more common for people to improve with treatment.
Finally, many people are unsure what to say when they are concerned about a coworker. It can be unpleasant, unsettling, and frightening. When you approach a conversation with compassion, the words you choose are less crucial than expressing genuine concern, says the best psychologist in india. That's what the person hears when you do it. When people know you care, they may overlook a grammatical error or two.
If you're worried about someone you work with, try these expressions:
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I care about you and am concerned about your well-being.
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I only want what is best for you and will assist you if I am able.
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Your work performance and demeanour have changed, and I've noticed it.
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Are you at ease telling me what's going on and willing to discuss it?
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What can I do to assist you?
Management strategies for PTSD at Workplace:
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Use empathetic listening for the employees at the workplace:
It is important for people to have open communication with each other. People who are suffering from PTSD may sometimes feel embarrassed to talk openly about their feelings or anything related to the trauma which they have faced. Keeping this in mind people should take the initiative and ask them about how they or the other members of the workplace can help them.
Make the use of empathetic listening and listen to whatever they want to say closely. If they don't want to talk or if they feel hesitant to talk to you, wait for them to open up and don't force them. They should also not be interrupted in between when they are speaking. Try to make yourself patient and remember one thing that talking can also be therapeutic sometimes. The best psychologist in india says, People feel relaxed after venting out whatever they are facing in their life. Ask them how they are comfortable. If they are comfortable writing about their feelingsfeeling and the situations, continue it with emails.
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Try to meet their needs:
Help them with all the changes that you can make to their work environment. For example, they are having concentration problems and you can give them a place in the office where the distractions are very less or where there is less noise so that they can concentrate on their work.
For their poor memory you can make a list of all the projects they are handling so that they can work on them one by one and have some clarity on them.
For time management you can break the bigger tasks into smaller ones and make them into steps so that they can be completed on time. Helping PTSD people with empathy benefits a lot according to best psychologist in india.
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Dealing with the problems on time:
Dealing with the problems as soon as they arise. When the people are not able to complete their work on time, or they are having a hard time at their workplace, speaking to them directly may help. Giving feedback in such a way that it doesn't hurt may also help them to understand their work and also where they are lacking.
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Providing team training:
When you raise awareness to the team about the disorder, they are able to help their colleagues in a much better way. They will be more patient and sensitive toward the basic needs of their colleagues. Training should be given as part of the HR team so that no one may feel left out. This is why best psychologists in India recommend corporate therapy or mental health check ups so that people can share their problems with counsellors or psychologists.
PTSD is a serious mental disorder and has severe effects on the functioning of human beings. It also starts to interfere with the daily routine or daily life of the people. It may have severe medical, psychological and emotional consequences. If you think that any of your team members or a person at your workplace is suffering from PTSD, take immediate help from mental health professionals.
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