The Reality of Workplace Trauma
As a dual-diagnosis center that provides treatment and recovery options for detoxification and mental health struggles, we often see individuals who have suffered from workplace trauma. Dissecting and analyzing the very real and all-too-common reality of workplace trauma can be a challenge, especially when we’re expected to be at our best for our jobs. What many individuals fail to realize, however, is that certain triggers at the workplace have a massive effect on individuals, and can easily lead to or kick-start workplace trauma. So how do you deal with trauma triggers at work? Here’s what you should be aware of.
Emotional Trauma in the Workplace
The evolving discourse of mental health on a nationwide level is fortunately shedding much needed light on overall trauma, but it still doesn’t quite cover emotional trauma in the workplace. Meaning, there will always be days where an employee or coworker may need extra support as a result of other facets, and it’s up to individual companies and employees to find ways to prioritize these mental health discussions and allow for accommodations. At the same time, however, it’s vastly important for individuals to be aware of certain triggers that can bring on these bouts of workplace trauma, and familiarize themselves with various coping mechanisms that can go a long way at their jobs.
How to Deal With Trauma Triggers at Work
There is no one-step solution to learn how to deal with trauma triggers at work, but there are various healthy coping mechanisms that can lead to the necessary support for these individuals. Some of these coping strategies include:
- Grounding – This strategy can go a long way in the workplace, since individuals often feel out of their comfort zone for their jobs. By grounding yourself, and reminding yourself of who you are, where you are, and why, you can start to focus on the task at hand, and not something from the past. Senses have a big role to play in this regard—whether it’s a fidget cube, a calming scent, or relaxing music if your job allows for it, these sensory tactics can help you cope in these situations, and alleviate factors of workplace trauma.
- Create Space – It’s important to create space for yourself in the workplace, especially when you’re dealing with emotional situations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, or are busy to a point of exhaustion, taking the necessary steps to make space can help significantly. This can be in the form of a short break if applicable, or even asking for help from others in distressing times. Feeling triggered can be hugely exhausting, and having some time alone to relax and reboot is a viable way to alleviate stress and aspects of trauma.
- Take Things Slowly – Whether you’re exhausted or overwhelmed from current tasks, or even dealing with depression after being fired, or anything in between, an important notion to remember is to take things slowly. Experiencing triggers that create workplace trauma sometimes makes everything feel like a jumbled mess, and addressing these situations becomes that much more difficult. By giving yourself time to cope, and work out these strategies, you’re also calming yourself and de-vamping the surge of emotions that can cause these feelings. Even taking long breaths can work wonders to calm us down. In times of struggle, it’s important to allow yourself the time needed to recover.
- Prioritize Therapy – Therapy is so important in the grand scheme of mental health, and this goes for workplace trauma as well. Individuals dealing with PTSD can certainly learn numerous strategies and coping techniques in therapy, and can have a clear path ahead of what needs to be done going forward. Emotional trauma in the workplace often drains us of our ability to find clarity and resolution in these situations, and therapy works to provide us with these answers so we don’t have to do it all on our own.
South Beach Detox provides dual diagnosis treatment for a variety of mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders. We are far more than a detoxification center, and our team is composed of talented, specialized and trained professionals, from our support staff to our clinical and medical professionals. We are dedicated to the treatment of every patient who walks through our doors, and we utilize scientifically-based interventions and treatment protocols supported by data evaluation to deliver the most comprehensive treatment imaginable, every step of the way.
For more information regarding our services, contact South Beach Detox today.