Sufferer Can You Work With Ptsd?

[Notsowild]

Hi I'm new on here. I had a bad car accident a few months ago. Now I have PTSD I get flashbacks and have trouble sleeping. I am back to work with reduced hours. My problem is no one understands what I'm going through. My boss has been very indifferent to me. And my colleagues says things like " must be nice to have so many days off" It seems if you have no broken bones they think you're fine.

I've even been written up twice due to disputes with other workers. Has anyone else had trouble with working with PTSD ?

 

[Abstract]

Hi and welcome. A lot of people can't work with PTSD, need to change jobs or need to work less. Some manage to work throughout.

Is there a human resources department that you can speak to?

I am afraid it seems to be the rare person that is understanding of PTSD when they don't have or have some personal experience of it.

 

[RussH]

But pro-active. If you need to; find some articles on PTSD you can share with with you boss and co-workers. I don't know them, or if it will do any good, but educating them might help.

 

[bell]

@Notsowild, if your accident just happened a few months ago, get thee to therapy, as you can nip it in the bud before it becomes a constant... and maybe you can get a note from your therapist to boot.

And yes and no about working with PTSD. I've always worked with it, but then again, I've had PTSD since I was too young to know any better so it's idiosyncrasies are just normal to me, I don't know any better... it was just a few years ago I was diagnosed and found out that not everyone was like me!

 

[RussH]

@bell said [quote: it was just a few years ago I was diagnosed and found out that not everyone was like me quote] For me it has just been a month; only for me it was realizing that there are others out there like me.

 

[Notsowild]

Thanks for your replies!
I have talked to my union but they seem lackadaisical about my situation
I like the part about educating them
I'll try it I don't know if my boss would care though

 

[DMerish]

Abstract and Bell gave good advice. A trauma therapist will help you to process what happened to you and teach you skills to deal - calm yourself down. Also, you may want to consider talking to your doctor about getting on (short term) medication. If you're in the US, be sure to get FMLA (so your employer can't fire you)!!! It should be filed with the Human Resources department, who will then inform your boss how to deal with your work related responsibilities and need for time away from work. A singular trauma, such as an auto accident, has a strong chance of alleviating prolonged symptoms in many people if treated in its early stage. Good luck!

 

[Notsowild]

Thanks DMerish I'm from Canada what is a FMLA?

 

[SCR5star]

I have been suffering from PTSD for 41 years, though I was only diagnosed and informed about it 3 years ago.

For 28 years I used to avoid people/run away/ hide/ stay on my own/ changing jobs many times.

I now collect a load of information and facts about PTSD and either e-mail or write or tell everyone I think need to know.

Nowadays I tend to be upfront about it, and then if people don't like it it is their problem not mine. I have had my present job 13 years, the longest by far in anything, and I will retire from it in 5 years time.

The worst comments I have had to put up with is that because I was not in the army I can't have PTSD.

90% of my dealings with people have been positive, the rest I just ignore.

 

[Notsowild]

ThanksSCR5star
I've had my current job for 5 years and like you close to retiring. That's also the hard part - if I lose this job who would want to hire me at this age

 

[Abstract]

Is there anyway you could take a month off and get some intensive treatment in?

 

[SCR5star]

I have had a lot of friends over the years who used to come and ask me how (not why) I had managed to change my jobs so often, and move around the country so much to get different jobs in different places. My advice at all times has been to find out what you think you will be good at and go and try it out. One friend, who I knew was a good amatuer musician, got sacked at age 56, asked me what he should do, and he took my advice. He now earns his crust doing what he always wanted to do but never had the chance, he plays piano in jazz clubs down in London.

My job for the last 13 years is also something I was sure I could be good at and I found I am. I have no doubt that the fact that my present job never stresses me out, (apart when it rains incessantly), lead to the breakthrough in understanding the basis of my PTSD.

ie my mind was not stressed and something in my brain decided I was now ready for the truth, and the fact that I have managed to live through the last 3 years of hell, bears testamount to this.

I know I am still a new member, but reading lots of the posts on here is helping me with my problems.