Workplace hazards and risks are not always physical, they can be emotional and psychological as well. The mental health effects of working a highly stressful job can leave metaphorical scars that linger for years. If you work a high-stakes career, you may be suffering from invisible strain that can lead to more serious conditions.
Are you aware of the real and serious mental disorders that may arise from your job? Here is a look at what anxiety and stress in the workplace can lead to.
Post traumatic stress disorder
Florida’s workers’ compensation usually does not cover purely mental injuries or disorders unless they go together with a physical injury. However, paramedics, responders, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders can receive benefits for purely mental trauma by law. First responders are vulnerable to PTSD because they regularly face dangerous and unpredictable situations.
If you regularly face severe or repeated workplace trauma, you may develop workplace PTSD. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can last months and affect both your quality of life and work performance. If you regularly experience severe insomnia, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness, you might want to consult a mental health professional.
Depressive disorders
Continuous exposure to harsh work conditions can influence the development of depressive disorders. In common vernacular, it is known as “burnout syndrome.” If you have ever felt a persistent feeling of sadness, you may be experiencing a symptom. Another telltale sign is disinterest in work or activities that used to give you joy.
Depression reduces your energy and dampens your mood. At its worst, it may even disrupt your hunger levels and sleep patterns. You may experience phantom pains, unexplained fatigue and a total lack of motivation to do anything.
Anxiety disorders
There is a broad range of anxiety disorders that may originate or worsen through workplace stress. If you always chase after deadlines or have to meet impossible expectations, these situations can constantly expose you to severe anxiety. This may wear you down over time and cause you to react instinctively in the workplace.
Anxiety and panic disorders heighten your chances of cardiovascular disease. They can even weaken your immune system. Seek help from a healthcare provider if anxiety starts to negatively impact your physical wellbeing.
Combating mental health injury in the workplace
It is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Productivity in the workplace is important, but a more holistic career helps you last longer and find professional fulfillment.
Take advantage of your full rights as a worker under federal and state laws. Depending on your employer, you can expect job-protected leave under the FMLA, healthcare insurance, Employee Assistance Programs and more. If you believe your workplace is infringing your legally protected medical rights, reach out to a legal professional for assistance.