When most people think of trauma, they imagine something that happens to a child, or severe traumatic experiences such as violent crime or war. However, there is a more common source of trauma that is often overlooked, namely workplace trauma. This can be especially prevalent among legal professionals as the legal industry can be one of the most stressful work environments with deadlines and high stakes forming part of their daily lives.
We hope that this blog will allow you to find a work-life balance you are comfortable with.
What is workplace trauma?
As we spend a great deal of time at work and therefore our working environment has a significant influence on our mental health. A toxic or overly stressful work environment can lead to workplace trauma. Trauma can be caused by any distressing experience, therefore, when a distressing experience occurs in the workplace this is known as workplace trauma. Prolonged exposure to these experiences, like a toxic work environment, can even lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Workplace trauma can be caused by many factors including layoffs or the death of a colleague. It could also be caused by discrimination or violence in the workplace which can be exacerbated by a toxic employer who abuses their power or blames the employee.
Signs of workplace trauma
One of the most important steps in overcoming workplace trauma is being able to recognise it. It is important to be vigilant for the signs of workplace trauma. Here are some of the common symptoms associated with workplace trauma:
- Insomnia: Stress from workplace trauma can cause sleeping difficulties when individuals lie awake worrying about work.
- Depression: Workplace trauma can also lead to depression, and feeling numb, and hopeless when individuals feel stuck in their current work environment.
- Concentration issues: Many people suffering from workplace trauma can find it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. This exacerbates their stress as they are unable to complete all of their work.
- Social withdrawal: Social isolation is also common among people suffering from workplace trauma. They withdraw from friends and family as they feel they don’t have the mental energy to socialise.
- Pressure to overwork: Individuals suffering from workplace trauma often feel pressured to overwork which compounds their stress, and further harms their work-life balance.
- Anxiety: Another common symptom of workplace trauma is anxiety and panic attacks, as the mind attempts to cope with stress.
These are just some of the symptoms of workplace trauma. These symptoms are often interrelated, feeding off each other and exacerbating their impact on your life. It is important to remember though that each person is unique and will respond to trauma differently, meaning not all will experience the same symptoms.
Overcoming past workplace trauma
Workplace trauma can leave long-lasting scars that can negatively affect your mental health. We will first look at methods for overcoming workplace trauma from past work experiences to help you move on with your life.
Feel everything
The first step in overcoming workplace trauma is giving yourself space to feel everything you went through. This is important because when you are in a traumatic situation you do whatever it takes to get through it. This often means not properly processing your emotions. Now that you are out of the environment that caused trauma it can help to spend time with yourself and acknowledge your feelings. This allows you to properly process what happened to you and allows you to clear your mind and figure out what you want to do next.
Talk with supportive people
Sharing your experience with people who understand and support you is vital to overcoming workplace trauma. This can greatly help as it provides external validation of your feelings and experiences. This can be done through professional therapy or support groups with members who have had similar experiences.
Finding closure
Closure is important for our mental health. Without closure, the mind is prone to relive experiences, trying to find an alternative course of action that would have had a better outcome.
This is however fruitless, and it is better to forgive and express appreciation for yourself - only then will you be able to find acceptance which allows you to move on.
Self-compassion
A common response to trauma is self-blame, where the individual becomes preoccupied with what ifs or feels shame over their experience. This is where self-compassion is vital to overcoming workplace trauma as it helps to rebuild confidence and strengthens the individual’s self-esteem.
Overcoming current workplace trauma
Many people may currently be experiencing workplace trauma. If you notice the symptoms mentioned above in yourself, there are some steps you can take to work towards overcoming workplace trauma.
Identify the source
The first step in overcoming workplace trauma is identifying the source of the trauma. Identifying what causes the trauma allows you to address the issue directly and work towards changing the conditions causing you stress. Resolving or removing the cause is one of the most effective methods of overcoming trauma in the workplace.
Time off
While not always financially viable for everyone, taking time off can help in overcoming workplace trauma. It can give your body a chance to recover and recharge your mental energy. Additionally, a bit of distance allows you to properly assess the situation and how you can remedy it.
Boundaries
Another method that will assist you in overcoming workplace trauma is boundaries. It is important to set boundaries on how much time you spend on work and have clear boundaries between work and home life. This allows you to disconnect from work during personal time, which allows you to rest and recharge. It is also important to communicate your boundaries with your superiors to ensure they are respected, and your needs are met.
Leave
The final option for overcoming workplace trauma should all else fail is to remove yourself from the toxic environment by quitting your job. This isn’t always an option for those who rely on the income, however, prolonged exposure to a toxic work environment will only worsen your symptoms and lead to mental health issues.
Conclusion
Workplace trauma is one of the most common forms of trauma in the modern world. It is important to be able to recognise the signs and be aware of some methods for overcoming workplace trauma. We hope that this blog has provided you with tools that will allow you to be ever-vigilant against workplace trauma in your working environment.
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