5 Signs Your Job-Related Stress Is Actually Workplace Trauma (& What To Do Next)

Workplace trauma impacts millions. A career coach explains how you can survive it.

By Michele Molitor — Written on Dec 05, 2022

Photo: Maples Images / shutterstock.com

Woman looking frustrated at work with a laptop

Raise your hand if you've ever suffered silently through a workplace trauma.

If you are unsure, it may have taken the form of bullying, power plays, verbal abuse, or toxic culture.

It's far more common than you might think and it can be completely debilitating.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is on the rise among employees, according to the most recent Mental Health Index by Total Brain and the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions. Risk of PTSD has increased 36% since February 2021, and 55% since the start of the pandemic.

Additionally, stress, anxiety, and depression continue to creep up, especially for female employees: women have reported an 18% increase in stress and a 14% increase in depressed mood. Please remember, you're not alone.

So what is workplace trauma exactly, and what effects does it have on people?

Workplace-induced emotional trauma (a.k.a. corporate PTSD)

Workplace trauma often stems from bullying, racism, sexism, poor boundaries, even assault. Working in these toxic work environments can lead to anxiety, depression and panic attacks, eating disorders and physical symptoms such as chronic IBS and migraines or worse.

Experiencing this trauma can have a long-term impact not only on your career but also on your physical and emotional well-being.

Who can experience workplace trauma?

Anyone can experience this in the workplace given the right recipe.

This toxic mix is often the result of power imbalances between management and lower-level employees. As a result, it can be difficult to report any misconduct to your supervisor.

Lack of effective communication is often an issue and becomes even more problematic when race, gender and age dynamics come into play.

Many experience work burnout and overload as they to keep to themselves and to appease those wielding power and influence in a toxic culture.

Ways Corporate PTSD & workplace anxiety may show up in your life:

Anxiety, depression or complex grief
Sleeplessness
Irritability
Lack of focus and concentration
Intrusive thoughts
Isolating or avoidant behaviors
Negative coping mechanisms

Ways Corporate PTSD & workplace anciety may unknowingly affect you:

Feelings of hopelessness
Physical aches and pains
Loss of energy or interest in normal activities
Limited expectations about life
Confusion and loss of direction

Steps you can take to start to heal from this deep level of trauma and reclaim your peace of mind:

1. Take time for yourself.

Get plenty of rest, exercise and eat nutritious food that nurtures your well-being. Get out into nature and reconnect with yourself.

2. Identify your needs.

Start by examining your values and fundamental needs in your job. This will assist you in better understanding what boundaries got crossed, leaving you feeling the way you do

3. Feel what you need to feel.

Your feelings are yours, and yours alone. No one has a right to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be feeling

4. Journal about how you’re feeling.

Trauma arises when we can’t effectively process our own emotions. Journaling is a great first step in helping you get those overwhelming emotions out of your head and heart.

5. Seek and accept support.

Find a coach or therapist who provides you with the safe and confidential space you need to process your thoughts and feelings, and make sense of what happened.