Ptsd at work

[DharmaGirl]

Thanks, I am nearing retirement age so it will be a race, lol.

 

[nowthisisme]

Good thread. I love the list idea, i was recently diagnosed with ptsd and have been wondering if i am able to continue working. I quite my part time job as a financial consultant 9 months ago since i was no longer able to stay focused, I didnt know i had ptsd then but i was no longer able to do basic math. Now i am branch manager for a logistics company and my performance has been terrible, I have no idea how much longer i can last. My brain no longer works like it used to.

 

[FragileGlass]

@nowthisisme

Creating a binder for your desk space will help. Bullet notes for routine tasks and sequences. If you can find routine routine mathematical patterns, try and build them into a spread sheet so that all you're punching in is weight, volume, price, distance or any numbers that are provided by invoice or packing slips.

Have you managed to find any type of audio or sounds that provide a calming effect for you? There are many great audio apps that emulate ambient sounds to drown out stressful noise, or maybe you need chaotic noise as silence is too unsettling. I use an app on my iPhone that creates street noises because I dislike silence. It causes me to drift and distract easily.

 

[nowthisisme]

@nowthisisme

Creating a binder for your desk space will help. Bullet notes fo...

Love the binder idea. I create a to do list every morning but end up overlooking a few items or some tasks take me much longer then normal. Everyone here are very understanding, I've been working here for 6 years and they all know this is not the real me, so they have been picking up my slack a little, which is great but sometimes i feel guilty about it. They are such great people to work with, i didnt even tell them what's wrong with me, they just started helping without asking or making me feel uncomfortable.
I am definitely going to make a binder and look into a calming audio. Thanks!

 

[Scarlet13]

So I don't know if it is any comfort at all to put PTSD into perspective.
I am a teacher and also very critical of myself.
As a teacher you need to be "on" and handle emergencies with the correct protocol.
I have always handled emergencies very effectively (while others, even teachers freaked out.)
The reason for this is because of my PTSD.
I am completely comfortable with fight or flight response. I have existed and survived in what felt like an emergency my whole life.
PTSD has prepared me for these situations despite triggers.
It sounds like you were thinking clearly and following protocol.
Did you have the bodily response after the children were safe?
Handling things effectively while you were triggered is very impressive.
Only a few people at my school know about my PTSD. I feel like there can be a stigma.
I am not a basket case or "crazy".
I am actually able to keep a cool head in an emergency, I think because I have survived trauma.

 

[Deleted member 41765]

@Scarlet13 Now that the reactive dust has settled, I see that I did handle things effectively. And yes, the bodily response came after the kids were safe. I was able to tell my assistant to "stay here" while I walked away for two minutes in an attempt to ground. Like you, PTSD is not new and I am definitely the level head in a crisis. The self-critical piece following the event tripped me up as much as the event itself. Very frustrating!!

I'm grateful for your support. From one teacher to another, thank you!!!