What Is Occupational PTSD? 3 Things Employers Need to Know
With occupational PTSD still in need of more visibility, employers must know that it can easily apply to some workers.
- By Mia Barnes
- Jul 26, 2024
Work is a high-stress environment in many fields, whether meeting deadlines, handling sensitive information or trying to save someone’s life. It’s such an integral part of everyday life that it can influence workers’ mental health. Some people get tired at the end of the week, while others experience burnout.
However, this may extend to a different condition: occupational post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Generally speaking, PTSD is a condition that can develop in people who have undergone traumatic or anxiety-inducing events. But with occupational PTSD still in need of more visibility, it’s vital employers know that it can easily apply to some workers.
The Prominence of Occupational PTSD
Many people have PTSD, but employment and certain workplaces can profoundly impact the occurrence of such mental health conditions. The Mental Health Index in 2022 noted that one in four U.S. workers was at risk for PTSD. The figure increased by 121 percent compared to pre-pandemic years.
Trauma-exposed occupations can be one of the primary causes. For example, health care is a critical field in treating other people. Responsibility for people in life-or-death situations takes mental fortitude and compassion, but doing it every day can eventually take a toll on your body and mind. And in many cases, employers might not realize the effect it has their workforce.
Another trauma-exposed occupation is the military. About 7 percent of veterans will have PTSD during their lifetime. Training for those positions can be physically and mentally exhausting. Once deployed on missions, facing combat and other life-threatening experiences can be stressful.
But workers don’t need to be within as intense an environment as this be affected. Work trauma can also come from more sedentary jobs. For example, workers in call centers and other customer service spaces must face long shifts, and it can be stressful when callers are rude and threatening. Hearing the phone ring can induce panic for those with such stressful jobs.
Workplace conditions are also a contributing factor to occupational PTSD. Some offices have leaders who abuse their authority and overwork their employees. Team leads may also harass and take advantage of vulnerable workers. Long-term microaggressions and strict work policies are challenging to endure. Other people may not fit in with certain work operations and struggle to meet the time requirements or on-site arrangements.