- Two-thirds of Australians experience bullying.
- Only 10% of workers self-identify as victims of workplace bullying, but the true number is likely much higher.
Many people associate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with combat soldiers. But there are many sufferers of PTSD that were never in the military. Any traumatic event can result in PTSD. PTSD is a treatable anxiety disorder affecting around 3 million Australians at some time in their lives. It happens when fear, anxiety and memories of a traumatic event don’t go away.
In my work, I see it mostly with people who have been bullied at work, harassed or who have experienced an injury at work. Most clients do not recognise their experience as traumatic or having led to PTSD. This is hardly surprising as only 10% of workers self-identify as victims of workplace bullying, but the number is likely to be much higher. More often they come to see me to learn how to be ‘thicker skinned’ or more vigilant around certain people. Or just better at their job so they don’t get singled out.
The ability to deal with trauma and stress varies greatly from person to person. While some people can handle nearly any event without long-term effects, others are considerably more fragile. This can be explained by the continuum of PTSD. The level of PTSD you experience depends on the severity of the stressors and the strength of your self-regulatory functions. These two things determine how you deal with stress and how it affects you.
PTSD is much more common than most people realize!
Symptoms of PTSD include:
1. Flashbacks or other forms of reliving the event.
These can include bad dreams, recurring thoughts, or being triggered by anything that reminds the sufferer of the traumatic event. Thoughts can cause someone to prefer to work from home, procrastinate or stay off-camera when participating in online meetings. Physical symptoms are also usually experienced, including pain, sweating, and trembling.
For some, it’s even possible to see the traumatic event as if it is happening all over again.
2. Hypervigilance.
This is an over-alertness in anticipation of possible danger, for example: oversensitive to comments made without malice, over-preparing for meetings, wary of people in meetings. Outside of work, it can lead to insomnia and overactivity.
The person suffering from hypervigilance is consumed with the idea that something bad is going to happen and it’ll likely be similar to what happened before. So, they’re always prepared for the worst, even if the worst has zero possibility of ever occurring again. This can look like paranoia to the casual observer.
3. Disturbed sleep.
Insomnia is a common symptom in those with PTSD. Nightmares and night sweats can also occur. It’s not easy to remain calm or sleep well when you have post-traumatic stress disorder.
4. Irritability and aggressive behaviour.
Those with PTSD are often easily agitated and are prone to overreacting with aggression.
5. Altered thoughts.
This may take the form of believing that the sufferer is bad or that all people are bad. Feelings of guilt, shame, and anger are also common.
These symptoms can range from annoying to life-altering. For many these symptoms can dissipate over time however it can take months for some. At the most extreme, sufferers of PTSD are unable to work and pose a serious threat to themselves and others. Suicide is not uncommon in the most extreme cases.
Possible causes of PTSD outside of combat
Two-thirds of Australians experience bullying. Bullying can take many forms
1. Sexual harassment – This is uninvited and unwanted sexual behaviour, whether verbal or physical, especially by an individual in a position of authority over the victim, like a manager or leader. This is a powerful trauma that many victims struggle to process effectively.
2. Emotional abuse – The mind can only take so much abuse before it starts to adapt and adopt the negative impacts. Emotional abuse can have effects that last years after the abuse. It can affect the person’s next job choice or how they behave at work.
3. Physical abuse or other violence – Regular physical abuse can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s also possible for single events to result in PTSD. This can include being the victim of a violent crime or persistent bullying behaviour by a co-worker or manager.
4. Stressful experience – It could be a robust conversation or a conflict between colleagues. It can include the health issues of a loved one, or seeing someone suffer an injury and feeling helpless to help. Nearly anything that creates a strong stress response can cause PTSD.
5. Mental illness – Many mental illnesses can be stressful. They can also make the sufferer much more susceptible to stressful events.
PTSD is a common challenge, even among those who have never served in the military or with the police. Trauma can be found nearly anywhere in society. Watching a loved one die or experiencing a mugging can result in post-traumatic stress disorder.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, know that help is available. Make an appointment with a trusted health provider like a counsellor or your GP to get some much-needed relief and learn how to overcome your trauma.
If you are ready to start processing your personal trauma in a way that honours your trauma, book a confidential call with me and we can explore how you can transform without terrifying yourself.
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