Work Related Ptsd

[singingyamada]

The thing with the acute end that I worked in was that there was no where to go mand dump the days work. Any clinical supervsion was shorted by staff shortages and paper workl and more work and you were only as good as your last complain. And if you read about , I was screwed by the people I trusted.

 

[singingyamada]

Hi and an update. I went and saw the court appointed psychiatrist and I blubbered for an hour and a half. She was shaking her head a lot when I told her how my work place managed the injury, so maybe that is a good sign. I just have to wait know for the report and that can take weeks, so have hatched a plan to do something useful not just exist to pass the time. I am going to paint the parts of my house that have bee driving me mad for the last 2 years.

In the meanwhile it took me three days to organize of the papers with regard to my head and the insurance and guess what , i am a very good hoarder of paper. For some deranged reason before I left work I kept copies of guidelines and policy's do so with critical incidents and how to handle them and lots of other stuff that is quite useful.

So if your PTSD is involved or could be involved with the legal world, Document , document and document and keep copies of everything that might see relevant.

 

[sarahvee]

I think the last straw event for me was my workplace trauma 2 years ago. I've been phobic about jobs since then, whereas before I had no problem looking for and finding jobs. It's hard not to feel ashamed - I hate to give that crap job power over me. It's a struggle. Just wanted to let you know you're not the only one.

 

[popeye]

I realize I am joining the conversation late but I too have PTSD from the workplace. I am currently seeking disability for my PTSD as all but one of my therapists and doctors have stated that I should not work. I have been fighting to get this for almost a year now and it's almost helpful to have a goal. I have been so aimless since i left my job and it's nice to have a goal i can pursue.

 

[Sazza]

Not much to add really concentration poor at moment read your post but not sunk in. Just wanted to say i to am suffereing the effects of work incidents that have caused PTSD symptoms but no diagnosis as of yet. I to work in health field but am not qualified like yourself. Work really don't seem to understand the effect it has had on me, it feels like i to was expected to man up and get on with it, however its not happening i am now off.

I doubt if i will be able to return to the place at this rate.

 

[redheaded moppet]

Hi,

I developed work-related PTSD last fall. Am not in the health field but in education (am a high school teacher) so I can relate to the "deal with stress and take it" mentality between the demands of the students, parents, and school administration. Have taught for over 20 years - abruptly resigned my job in November which I'd only begun the end of August 9 weeks into the school year, so have been living off savings. Right now am talking to my T to see if I might be able to get the unemployment compensation I was eligible for last June when I was laid off but didn't take except for one week before hired at the job I ended up leaving when I broke emotionally - yeah, weird, right?? :confused: My problem now is of course I'm trying to find another job and have that plus having been laid off last June hanging over my head professionally which looks REALLY good on a resume in terms of recent stability... :eek: forget the fact the district where I was laid off I'd been there 5 years...

I'm not sure if I will be able to get the UE or not - have to check more with them directly - but my T told me he'd write a letter to help me out here. I want to go back to work - don't like feeling useless, etc., but I also don't want to be "labeled" with PTSD professionally which I would have been if I'd remained in my job last fall and then gone to EAP to see someone... I couldn't trust anyone at my job there b/c I knew nobody and being the "new kid on the block" of course everyone was watching my work performance. So... my dilemma presently is trying to see if I can get UE to help me here or not; if not and I don't find another job I am looking at serious financial consequences by late fall here... which will NOT be good in terms of keeping my house.

Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful here - above all I want to continue getting help I need to get over this the rest of the way, pay my bills/keep my townhouse, and return to work or else go back to school for something completely different. Have had several interviews lately for teaching jobs for fall but after the interview I don't hear anything and so far others have been hired. :unsure: Hope things get better with your situation - that's tough.

 

[Gamereign555]

I believe my job also contributed to my ptsd, the first panic attack I ever had was at work, things have not been the same for me since. I worked in hotel maintenance which I think is a stressful job, but some of it was me. I was never willing to take a sick day, at the most I would do for myself, I would try to work as long as I could while ill, only going home after all the hardest most important tasks were finished. I also had too much on my plate, rather I would always try to do more now so that I could do less later...however maintenance doesn't really work that way, there is always more and more to do. I managed to continue my job for 6 more months after the ptsd had shown its ugly colors to me. I could have continued my job, but it wasn't my choice as I was laid off after new management came into the hotel. A huge weight was lifted after losing my job, though the advantages to having a job are obvious and I miss that.

Constant unrealistic deadlines, inspections, reports and paperwork, endless routine but with constant learning, an unsatisfiable boss and co-workers. My job also demanded that I set a complex priority sort of flow chart of tasks if you will.

If only they had assigned me partner or a worker under me, things might be different today.. But only might, because I have already had much trauma in my life. Abuse and neglect as a toddler and child, the loss of my dear father and many years of drug use and all the lovely things that go along with that all contributed to where I am today.

 

[ragdoll]

Hi Singingyamada, My PTSD was brought on by working in a school environment with a child who has special needs. Lots of physical abuse and I was mainly the sole carer in this environment. I also suffered sexual abuse as a child and a few other experiences that played around with my childhood.
I find myself triggered about my workplace incidents while replying to this post. Please forgive me if my post is a little out of sorts.
I live in WA and have been on workers compensation since June 2010.

I have been assessed by my employers' psychiatrist twice. Appears this happens on a 6 monthly basis. On both occassions he deemed me unfit for return to work. He is also an AMS - Approved Medical Specialist via WorkPlace WorkPlace is a protection agency in Australia for work place disputes etc.

I see a psychiatrist of my choice every couple of months (3hrs away) and see my psychologist/counsellor every fortnight. I am currently in the process of beginning EMDR - when I am capable of doing it without "crashing" as I do.
My employers insurance company pays for all expenses.

Due to being on workers compensation for nearly 12 months, my union suggested to protect myself for any future settlements (court/common law damages???) I should be independently assessed by an AMS via WorkPlace for level of disability percentage. The fee was paid by my union!
I have not seen my report but was advised due to my condition not yet being stabilised he could not give a percentage. My extension to apply for common law damages was granted for 6 months.

 

[ragdoll]

Oops. Pushed the wrong button & my post was put up! I ran out of time to edit it.
I wanted to mention how I am afraid to go for common law as the insurance company will stop paying my salary and all expenses. How can I continue to get on top of the debilitating effects of PTSD if payments stop? If my workplace is found liable, the insurance company will re-imburse costs incurred etc. I am not in a financial position to take this risk. We may have to sell our home if I want to go to court.

Regarding your past anxiety - my employers psychiatrist mentioned my childhood abuse played a significant part in my PTSD (I had counselling as a young child). However, my solicitor, GP, psychiatrist and psychologist said I should still not have gone through with what I did in my workplace environment.
Employers have a duty of care to provide to their employees. One proffessional said if I had a bad back, yet obtained an injury to it through work, work is still responsible. Just because we have underlying issues doesn't excuse the workplace not to be responsible for your well being. They said this was often used in court cases - duty of care.
Although you suffer anxiety in your past, you were obviously able to manage it in a way to continue working.
With PTSD anxiety comes along comes deeper and stronger. You have so much to cope with let alone insurance psychiatrists placing more pressure on you.
I'm glad you feel confident since your last post. Good luck and take care.

Ragdoll xxxxx