Can workplace bullying cause ptsd

Can Being a Victim of Long-Term Bullying Lead to PTSD Later in Life?

Bullying remains a complicated and devastating epidemic for young Americans, with some reports suggesting that a staggering 28% of US students in grades 6–12, and 20% of students in grades 9–12 have experienced some form of bullying at school.¹ Long-term bullying is associated with a variety of adverse consequences, including depression, anxiety, health complaints, and diminished academic achievement. Moreover, bullying can contribute to the risk of suicide and substance abuse.²

Bullying isn’t just traumatic in childhood, though, and it’s not a passing phase. Research shows bullying and harassment can cause adult symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).³In fact, one study examining mental health in college students found experiencing bullying to be the strongest predictor of developing PTSD symptoms. This surpassed physical abuse, neglect, and exposure to community violence. ⁴Another literature review examining 29 relevant studies on bullying and harassment found that 57% of victims scored above the threshold for meeting PTSD criteria.³

Why Is Bullying or Harassment So Harmful?

When you are a victim of bullying or harassment, you can experience a wide range of emotions, ranging from mild embarrassment to extreme fear as a result of being in danger where your safety is compromised. No matter the situation, however, it never feels pleasant to be attacked or criticized by your peers. Bullying is a distinct social stressor because it represents a systematic form of interpersonal aggression coupled with intense feelings of powerlessness and defenselessness.⁵

Victims of bullying may grow to feel like they could be attacked or criticized at any time and may come to question who they can trust within various interpersonal dynamics. Even if the abuse stops, they may live in anticipation and fear, waiting for the next incident to occur. This combination of uneasy and restless feelings can make it difficult for victims to focus on their school or work, which may lead to performance decline, isolation behaviors, and low self-esteem.^5,6

Moreover, targets of bullying are at a high risk of developing mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety disorders.⁶ While research continues to emerge and unfold about the long-term impact of bullying on a person’s psychosocial behavior, studies show that as many as 75% of bullied victims report higher likelihood to develop mental illness.³Someone who was bullied is also more likely to develop problems with substance abuse as well, from drinking to marijuana use to harder, illicit drugs.²

How Does PTSD Develop as A Result?

When a person is repeatedly bullied or harassed, they experience continued negative reinforcement, systematic abuse of power, and ongoing intimidation and emotional pain. And those who are bullied as children tend to have a greater risk of being bullied in their adult lives. ⁵ The characteristic symptoms that develop as a result of bullying (feelings of powerlessness, helplessness, anger, fear) are also strongly correlated with that of PTSD, making it more likely that a person who was bullied would develop the disorder.

Persistently experiencing the event means having nightmares or flashbacks associated with the bullying. Memories flood the person’s mind at inconvenient times and are distressing and unwanted. Or, when a person sees someone who reminds them of an old perpetrator, they may feel their chest tightening or their stomach clenching.⁵

And they may try and avoid social situations where they will be targeted or victimized in some fashion or stay away from certain places or events where the bullying or harassment happened in the past. It does not matter whether they are experiencing real or perceived danger, what matters is that they experience a general sense of feeling unsafe and threatened. ⁵

Finally, persistent feelings of arousal, reactivity, and hypervigilance refer to the psychological effects associated with trauma reenactment.

The presence of these symptoms can interfere with other areas of functioning, including a person’s interpersonal dynamics and academic and occupational success.

While some PTSD symptoms look similar in children and adults, children may engage in repetitive, trauma-specific play movements (e.g., using dolls to show the bullying or drawing out a scene with crayons). They are also likely to exhibit and complain of somatic symptoms, such as stomach and head pains. Due to cognitive capacities, however, most children also do not always describe their avoidance tendencies as such, since they don’t necessarily recognize that’s what it is.⁵

All PTSD diagnoses require the experiencing or witnessing of a traumatic event.⁷ However, with most forms of bullying and harassment, the trauma occurs in a cyclical or chronic manner. But regardless of the type of trauma, a person’s cognitive perception of themselves, others, and the world around them is often disrupted and even destroyed.⁵

While anyone can be susceptible to bullying, research shows that different socioeconomic backgrounds may impact workplace harassment. For example, victims are more likely to have less powerful occupational positions, lower to no higher education, and lower household incomes. However, other research shows that people with opposite traits (higher levels of authority, education, and income) are also susceptible to workplace harassment.⁷

In children, both males and females have equal chances of experiencing physical bullying (e.g., being pushed, slapped, or hit). However, in terms of relational aggression (emotional bullying or teasing), females are at a greater risk.⁸ In terms of race, as many as 24% of white students ages 12–18 report bullying, which is significantly higher than Asian students (9%) and somewhat higher than black (20%) and Hispanic (19%) students. ⁸

Cyberbullying is becoming a big problem too, especially among children and adolescents. With technology making it increasingly easier to reach out and connect with peers, there are more opportunities for potential harassment, especially from anonymous perpetrators. As a result, bullying, harassment, and subsequent PTSD can exist in all ages and demographics.¹

How to Treat It

There is not one single cure for PTSD, but there are several evidence-based treatment methods that can help reduce or eliminate the distressing symptoms associated with trauma. The efficacy of these methods largely depends on the severity of the symptoms, the person’s capacity to use positive coping skills, and their existing support system.

It is always recommended that people seek out trauma-informed care when getting professional support.

Trauma-informed approaches can be implemented in any type of service setting and don’t necessarily refer to a set of specific interventions, but an overarching perception of treatment. In general, this approach recognizes the survivor’s need for mutual respect, information, and a sense of hope for their recovery. Treatment professionals should also understand the interconnection between trauma and other related issues, such as interpersonal problems, work or school issues, and mental or physical illness.

Victims of chronic bullying may be at increased risk of problematic alcohol or drug use and may benefit from simultaneous management of such issues. If there are co-occurring substance abuse issues, it is important to find a clinician who is trained and experienced in treating both trauma and addiction.

Many people benefit from complementary therapy methods that help improve their sense of self-esteem and well-being. Because bullying and harassment can severely impact a person’s confidence, it is essential that they learn the appropriate tools for rebuilding a positive perception of themselves.

If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD or the residual struggles associated with harassment or bullying, help is available, and there are several settings that provide trauma-informed treatment.

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to care, feeling supported and understood by a trusted professional can make a world of difference in helping you heal your pain and move toward a happier and more fulfilled life.

The Trauma of Workplace Bullying

Have you ever found yourself in the position of being the target (scapegoat) of aworkplace bully? Have you been gossiped about, ostracized, or scrutinized by your coworkers or boss and found to be lacking?

How can you tell if you are being scapegoated at work? Here are some questions to answer:

Do you find yourself being ignored, overlooked, and isolated? Do you feel that everyone knows a secret but you?
Are you unsure of therules but get in big trouble when you break one and the repercussions do not match the infractions?
Do people treat you disrespectfully, condescendingly, and insultingly?
Do you feel confused about how you are treated by others?
Have you been reprimanded or blamed for innocuous offenses, such as being five minutes late to a meeting, or standing the wrong way, or answering the phone improperly; all the while watching your coworkers committingsimilar or worse infractions with no consequences? Do you feel that you live in a world of double standards?
Are you losing yourself and your voice in the workplace because every time you try to share a good idea you get put down or dismissed?
Do you feel as if you have been ambushed, unsure of what you are experiencing?
Do your bosses or colleagues correct your language or use of words, or feel a need to point out that what you said was somehow wrong (once again)?
Do others sigh impatiently, roll their eyes, or otherwise belittle you?
Do you feel like a bad child at work?

While this list is not exhaustive, it certainly is a good sampling of symptoms of workplace bullying, scapegoating, or mobbing. (Bullying tends to involve one individual, while mobbing involves a group. Keep in mind that every mob has a ring leader.)

Most instigators of bullying and mobbing are individualswith psychopathic traits;people who enjoys seeing others being hurt. And these tend to be master manipulators. They manage to get others to cooperate with their sinister deeds while often appearing innocent themselves. They can be covert abusers.

According to Katrina Cavanaugh (n.d.) the following statistics have been noted regarding bullying in the workplace:

There is a likelihood of 1-out-of-2 that a staff person over the age 46 will be a bully target.
Targets of workplace bullying have identifiable traits , including being skilled, hardworking, truthful, very competent, intelligent, professional, and ethical.
Workplace bullies are predominately female and dont always act alone.
There is an active bully in 66.6% of workplaces and he/she is more likely to be in a leadership role.
Workplace bullying increases stress levels at work in 9-out-of-10 staff.
7-out-of-10 people leave their job due to workplace bullying.
4-out-of-5 bully targets suffer depression and sleeping problems after bullying.

When you find yourself on the receiving end of workplace bullying you will most likely be fired or forced to quit. This can lead to complete emotional devastation. You feel ashamed and humiliated. It is hard to tell others, even your loved ones about this rejection. On top of the humiliation you feel, you have anxiety and depression all the while having to figure out how to find a new job in order to support yourself and your family.

One of the hardest things to face when you are a target at work is the fact that none of your coworkers will stand up for you. You may believe that some of these people are actual friends, but find that when the going gets tough, these people have no actual loyalty to you. They would rather look good to others, or steer clear of you in order to remain in with the bullies.

Being in a workplace where you are the target can cause you many symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its a multiple-whammy; you are devastated emotionally, socially, physically, vocationally, and financially. Unless youve experienced this personally, you have no idea how traumatizing workplace scapegoating can be to a person. Most victims suffer alone because of humiliation and not knowing where to turn for help.

What are some healthy interventions to use on yourself to heal from workplace bullying, scapegoating, and mobbing?

Develop your support system. You must find people who love you, validate you, believe in you, and care about you. Talk to the people in your support system and allow them to hear your story and offer you comfort.

Refuse to wear the mantel of shame. Just because your coworkers and/or boss want to put you in the bad person box, heaped with shame, you can simply say, No, to their plan, and let it all go. Walk away. This can be done both figuratively and actually.

Let yourself feel. Feel the hurt and pain caused by the rejection of your coworkers. Going through your feelings of grief will help you heal. It is very hurtful to be rejected by ones peers and supervisors. Allowing yourself to feel through the pain will help you get to a place of acceptance.

Value yourself. Do not let other peoples toxicity define you. Be determined to praise yourself, honor your gifts and talents; treat yourself with dignity. If you find yourself having negative or derogatory self-talk, stop. Eliminate any inner critics in your head.

Educate yourself on workplace bullying. Once you start reading about bullying, and particularly, workplace bullying, you will realize that the problem is caused by the toxic environment and the toxic people who perpetuate this type of abuse. It helps reinforce the idea that it is not your fault.

Remind yourself that most bullied workers have personal ethics and integrity, are warm and compassionate, do not retaliate or do the same to others, are competent employees.

Write a letter to your perpetrator(s). Write how you feel and advocatefor yourself. Write details and get everything out on paper. You do not have to give this letter to anyone, but it is definitely healing to act as if you will and to process your emotions via writing.

Move on. Do not stay fixated on the abuse. Find a new environment. Get away from the toxic one and do something else with your time and your thoughts other than focusing on the abuse. Life is too short to keep yourself imprisoned by a toxic workplace. Find a setting that is abuse free and spend your time there.

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Reference:

Cavanaugh, K. (n.d.) Bullying in the workplace how to survive, heal and rebuild your life. Retrieved from: https://balancebydeborahhutton.com.au/bullying-workplace-survive-heal-rebuild-life/

Echo of Pain.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder - Daria Varlamova - Psychology - Site materials - Snob

What is psychological trauma

In a broad sense, psychological trauma means any acute emotional impact that disrupts the normal functioning of the psyche. But we all differ in the degree of sensitivity, so an event that knocks down one person will not prevent another from adapting to reality and enjoying himself. In popular psychology, it is fashionable to talk about childhood traumas that affect a person’s behavior in adulthood (for example, “I had a cold father, so I don’t have relationships with the opposite sex”), but many experts are of the opinion that endlessly returning to the past and shifting all the responsibility to parental mistakes in education is not a very productive way and it is better to concentrate on changing your behavior for the better in the present. Unless, of course, we are not talking about really acute experiences that radically change the worldview.

Does any trauma cause PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops in people who have experienced a catastrophic or simply life-threatening event, from a natural disaster or war to sexual violence. Here in the first place is the loss of basic trust and a sense of security. Sometimes a person gives out acute reactions immediately after traumatization, but it happens that the symptoms appear within a few months or even years later. The repercussions of the stressful experience can cause serious problems in relationships, at work and in social life. Often, people who have experienced this have suicidal tendencies, eating disorders, or alcohol and drug abuse.

At the same time, not all mental troubles that you can get after a trauma are post-traumatic disorder: emotional shock can become a trigger for almost any mental illness, such as depression or schizophrenia. Also, not all victims of traumatic events get PTSD - this requires a combination of a genetic predisposition to mental disorders and a certain set of external factors. What matters is the duration of the stressful situation and the age at which a person experienced it (childhood injuries “heal” worse), whether there were people nearby who could provide support.

Symptoms

PTSD may present with the following symptoms:

Intrusive thoughts. These are memories of the traumatic event and re-experiencing it in the imagination, unpleasant dreams about what happened and acute reactions to anything reminiscent of a stressful situation.
Avoidance. People with PTSD are often afraid to discuss the traumatic event and avoid places, people, and activities associated with it. This may lead to a change of job, partner or place of residence.
Devastation and alienation. People who have experienced a traumatic event often lose the ability to experience positive emotions. They feel emotionally empty, hopeless, and lose their zest for life and interest in what used to hook them. In addition to the obvious discomfort for the patients themselves, this can cause problems with loved ones: friends and relatives may feel that the person has been changed. Now he hardly makes contact and in his thoughts he seems to be somewhere far away all the time.
Outbursts of anger.
Anxiety/bravado. The patient may become obsessed with their own safety and become paranoid, or, conversely, constantly run into trouble, provoking situations similar to the one that caused the injury (for example, a person whose loved one died in an accident may become a street racer).
Psychosomatics. Possible panic attacks, problems with concentration and sleep, tachycardia, fatigue, muscle tension. Often there is partial amnesia: a person does not remember some important and too frightening details of a fatal event.

See the DSM-5 for a complete version of the diagnostic criteria. But do not try to diagnose the disorder yourself - this should be done by a specialist.

Why it happens

According to one of the neurobiological theories, this disorder is caused by a malfunction in the functioning of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for working with memory. It is assumed that a stressful memory is not “archived”, so the body relives it over and over again as if it were happening again in reality.

And if you think from a psychological point of view, a traumatic event deprives a person of a sense of security and trust in the world. Theoretically, we understand that life is unfair and any of us on Bronnaya can fall on the head with a brick, but we defend ourselves against these unpleasant thoughts, otherwise we would quickly cease to enjoy life. It is difficult for a person who has experienced incredibly strong stress to ignore the feeling that the surrounding reality can “set him up” at any moment.

Scenario repeated

The saddest thing is that it is quite easy for a person with PTSD to get re-traumatized and fall into a vicious circle of anxiety and mistrust. Retraumatization can occur in two ways. Firstly, a person can unconsciously reproduce a sad situation from the past (for example, a victim of an abuser can find another partner with the same unpleasant qualities, and a war veteran can go as a mercenary to a “hot spot”). Secondly, trauma can be “resurrected” in the course of untimely frank conversation, inept psychotherapy, or reproduction of the circumstances where it was received. The problem is that each such circle will reinforce a negative attitude, and in the future it will be more difficult to treat a person.

How to treat

PTSD is considered a type of anxiety disorder, and patients with anxiety respond well to drug treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, the latest generation of antidepressants). Sharp attacks of anxiety are relieved by tranquilizers - first of all, drugs from the benzodiazepine group. But dependence quickly arises from them, and they can be used only for a short time, about which the doctor prescribing such drugs should warn the patient. Psychotherapy also gives good results, and, as in the case of depression, from the point of view of evidence-based medicine, cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered the most reliable. But there are no universal recipes, and the patient may have to change several therapists and techniques before he finds an option that suits him personally.

Contagious stress

PTSD can be transmitted: psychotherapists working with such patients sometimes experience similar symptoms, lose faith in their own safety, sense of harmony and trust in the world. This phenomenon is called "secondary" or "vicar" traumatization. In this case, the therapist may also need help in the form of communication with colleagues or a course of therapy under the supervision of a supervisor.

Post-traumatic stress disorder at work: Should you tell your employer if you have PTSD? | mental health articles | Emotional & Mental Health center

Do you need to tell your employer if you have PTSD? What are the advantages and disadvantages, and what are your rights?

While certain factors, such as a previous history of trauma and social isolation, may increase the risk that someone will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after a traumatic event, anyone - of any age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status - may be affected by PTSD. The condition does not ultimately "distinguish".

Your employer or potential employer may, however - and in deciding whether or not to disclose PTSD at work, you have a real dilemma at your fingertips.

You will have a few questions to consider and might be interested in:

Are you required by law to tell your employer if you have been diagnosed with PTSD?
Are you covered by disability laws like someone with PTSD?
Is your employer legally required to provide you with housing because of your PTSD?
Will I be fired or not hired if I mention my PTSD?
What benefits does my employer tell? What are the disadvantages?

Most of these questions run into each other to create one big question - should I tell my employers and the people I work with that I have PTSD, or should I keep my diagnosis to myself?

Why employers choose not to have employees who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder

Yes, some of it comes down to stigma and prejudice about mental illness in general and PTSD in particular - maybe especially if you're not a combat veteran or someone else who has PTSD in the line of duty. Employers who, after all, mostly work for money by definition, also have legitimate reasons to be concerned about hiring people who live with PTSD.

Studies show, for example, that:

People with PTSD are absent from work more often than others.
Workers with PTSD need more free time to visit a doctor.
Most people with PTSD also suffer from another mental condition, such as major depressive disorder or anxiety disorder.
People with PTSD are more likely to attempt suicide.

Add in the fact that many people with PTSD can either only work part-time or not work at all, and it's not hard to see why the company you're talking to might prefer to hire someone with the same qualifications. in your place, even if you do not believe that all this applies to you.

Before deciding to disclose your PTSD, check the laws in your country.

SteadyHealth focuses on health and we cannot offer legal advice, especially since our readers come from all over the world. However, it is important that people with PTSD know their legal rights before making a decision.

Many countries now have strong laws to protect people with disabilities from discrimination.

For example, in the UK the Equality Act 2010 defines a disability as "a physical or mental impairment that has a 'significant' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to carry out normal daily activities." In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act serves the same purpose by defining disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the essential functions of life, of a person who has a history or history of such impairment, or of a person who is perceived by others to have such violations."

This means that PTSD will qualify as a disability in these and other countries with similar laws, and this may give you certain rights. These will vary from place to place, but may include:

You may receive disability benefits if you are unable to work due to debilitating PTSD in your jurisdiction.
If you can work, you may be protected from discrimination, including being fired (fired) because of your condition. In the UK, for example, there was even a case where an employment court found that firing someone with PTSD for their temper tantrums constituted disability discrimination. Countries with such laws generally also prohibit employers from not hiring on the basis of a disability, but this is much more difficult to enforce as employers can simply say that the other person is better suited for the job. To get coverage under disability discrimination laws, you will need to report your disability.
You may be eligible for certain accommodations because of your disability. This, however, requires disclosure of your condition - unless your employer knows you have PTSD, they cannot be expected to post either. If you are seeking housing, you will almost certainly be asked to prove your disability through documentation. Depending on where you are located, you may only need to prove how your PTSD affects you at work, rather than detailing your diagnosis.
In many places, employers are not legally allowed to ask you if you have a mental or physical condition, but they certainly are allowed to ask if you can complete all the tasks described in your job description.

If you developed PTSD after a work-related injury as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, rescue worker, or military, you may also be eligible for compensation.

Telling your employer about your PTSD can make work easier

The American Psychological Association Center for Workplace Mental Health offers employers some tips to help them make their workplaces more PTSD-friendly in a way that does not negatively impact them, benefiting both companies and employees. These facilities include:

Offering flexible schedules to make it easier for people with PTSD and other physical and mental disorders to get to medical appointments when they need them without disrupting their work procedures.
PTSD sufferers with noted memory or focus problems may benefit from additional written instructions and reminders to help them complete tasks.
Noise-cancelling headphones may help some people with PTSD reduce triggers that can trigger intrusive memories and startling reactions, but their use can also help autistic employees, for example.
Eliminate environmental triggers where appropriate.
Although not mentioned by the APA, telecommuting where possible can also be of great help.
APA highlights how PTSD can affect workers en masse after major events such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or workplace shootings. In fact, they advise against requiring or encouraging workers to attend workplace support groups that may make people uncomfortable, and instead suggest referring workers to community resources.

If you are lucky, you will find yourself in a workplace that is sensitive to the needs of trauma survivors with PTSD, and understanding them can go a long way in allowing you to thrive at work. A supportive and understanding environment can even reduce the severity of symptoms.

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