
The terms “workplace trauma” and “post-traumatic stress disorder” are many times used concurrently, but they differ in both nature and impact. Thus, differentiation would be paramount in offering appropriate types of support and avenues to recovery for the affected individuals within the workplace.
Here goes a breakup.
Difference Between Workplace Trauma and PTSD
1. Definition and Scope
Workplace Trauma: Work trauma refers to traumatic experiences one undergoes while in the workplace context. It may involve workplace violence, witnessing severe accidents, harassment, bullying, or undue job pressures. Traumatic events cannot be equated to the automatic development of PTSD. The degree of severity and period through which it can persist varies with individual levels of resilience, support, and particular circumstances surrounding the event.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: PTSD is a clinically diagnosable mental health disorder that may result from an incident of trauma, either in or outside of the workplace. Symptoms are severe, long-lasting, and interfere with daily life. PTSD falls into the realm of medical diagnostics and includes symptoms such as recurrences of intrusive memories or flashbacks to the trauma, emotional numbing, avoidance of triggers for the trauma, and strong anxiety. While trauma from the workplace can indeed give rise to PTSD, PTSD as such is a clinically diagnosable condition that often requires professional mental health treatment.
2. Causes and Triggers
Causes of Workplace Trauma:
Some common causes that give rise to workplace trauma include:
- Physical or verbal violence
- Job-related accidents or injury
- Harassment, discrimination, or bullying
- An extremely heavy workload or continually high levels of stress
- Financial instability in the organization, such as frequent lay-offs
Causes of PTSD:
PTSD can be developed from any extremely traumatic event that creates a feeling of intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Common causes include:
- Violent assault
- Severe accidents
- Natural disasters
- Combat
- Life-threatening medical conditions
3. Symptoms and Reactions
Symptoms of Workplace Trauma: Individuals suffering from work-related trauma can exhibit the following:
- Increased irritability and stress levels
- Fatigue and burnout
- Inability to focus or sustain motivation
- Emotional depletion and depersonalization are associated with feeling disconnected from the job
- Physical complaints, such as headaches or gastrointestinal distress
PTSD Symptoms: Symptoms of PTSD are more disabling and severe. These are as follows:
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the event
- Avoidance of anything that can remind them of the traumatic experience Hypervigilance-leading to a persistent fear of imminent danger
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Severe physical and emotional reactions to triggers, which could impair their functionality
4. Duration and Recovery
Duration of Workplace Trauma: Trauma from a specific incident at work may heal with the help of colleagues, bosses, or counselors and may wane as time goes by, especially when the work atmosphere improves. Unresolved trauma in the workplace may lead to long-term psychological problems if it is not treated.
Duration of PTSD: PTSD is long-lasting with professional psychological treatment usually required, often with psychotherapy intervention along with medication. In cases where the situation is not treated it may persist for decades or even through the lifetime of the victim, greatly interfering with personal and professional life.
5. Treatment and Support
Workplace Trauma Support: Trauma can be minimized in the workplace by employers through the availability of the Employee Assistance Programme.
- Mental health days off or flexible scheduling
- Allowing open environments to talk about one’s problems
- Allow for immediate counseling and support right after the traumatic event
Treatment of PTSD: In the majority of the cases, PTSD requires clinical intervention that includes:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
- Drug medications used include antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs
- Long term supports and special treatment programs for PTSD
Conclusion
Workplace trauma and PTSD vary in causation, symptoms, duration, and treatment. Workplace trauma generally resolves with support and time, while PTSD usually requires formal treatment. The capability for recognition of both, and to take remedial measures within a workplace setting, is crucial in making sure individuals are adequately supported through recovery to discharge their responsibilities accordingly.
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