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Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

AdgeSenior Contributor05 Apr 2017, 5:53 pm AEST

Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Hi,

I have complex PTSD due to repeated traumas (including SA) over a 20 year period, or more.

I work in disabilities, most recently with people who are often highly physically aggressive - punching, kicking, etc. These people require 2 staff to work with them at once, for safety reasons.

Over the past few weeks I am being put in as the senior "lead" staff member working with some of these people.

Recent events (days) seem to have accumulated my stress (it's all piling up). For example, last Friday I was injured by a client, & today he continued the same behaviour.

I find that I'm unable to break the cycle of dissociation (at the moment), or to give my body & mind time to recover.

Instead of dissociation (numbness & exhaustion) lasting for maybe a few hours - it's lasting for the entire evening (every day), & for the entire weekend (every weekend).

I do raise these things with my psychologist (who I see weekly). So far I'm unable to find positive strategies that help to ground & focus me.

It may be only a short-term set-back, but so far it's been going on for weeks (or months).

Adge

68 replies

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In response to: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

AdgeSenior Contributor26 Apr 2017, 8:57 pm AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Thanks @utopia
I've reduced my work availability (times) to try to make it workable.

Unfortunately the mh support worker insists on scheduling her appointment early afternoon - when I can never be certain of being available (finished).

Plus work frequently runs past the supposed finish time - even when I do know when I should finish.

I'm still trying to get my mh sppt wkr to schedule later appointments. Otherwise I'm stumped...

These appointments are weekly so it's an on going issue.

Adge

In response to: Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor26 Apr 2017, 9:06 pm AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Hi @Adge

I'm really sorry to hear you are stuck in this position. I wish I had something helpful to say. I can only imagine the stress you must be under, having to deal with such a volatile work environment, short notice of shifts, and having to cancel appointments with your MH worker. I know I definitely wouldn't be able to cope with that. I super hope you are able to find a less stressful job soon. It puts so much strain on our whole system when we are in a permanent state of high alert.

In response to: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

utopiaSenior Contributor26 Apr 2017, 9:12 pm AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

@Adge. Your mh worker should be more flexible with you. What's his/her problem?
Keep concentrating on the positives and your self care. Things will work out soon for you.

In response to: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

AdgeSenior Contributor26 Apr 2017, 9:33 pm AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Thanks @Phoenix_Rising

I appreciate what you said. Yes high alert is right.

Thanks @utopia

The mh organization (workers) don't want to do appointments any later than 3pm in the afternoon - if they can possibly avoid it.

They are supposed to be available for after hours appointments (technically) - so I need to keep pushing them.

Although so far it hasn't got me anywhere.

Adge

In response to: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

utopiaSenior Contributor26 Apr 2017, 9:43 pm AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

@Adge. So inflexible. They are working to help you. Therefore they should fit in with you and your schedule.

In response to: Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

OwlunarSenior Contributor27 Apr 2017, 1:07 am AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Hi @Adge

I don't really know much about dissociation but I know how irritating to infurinating it is to have someone or something that changes without warning and throws a spanner through the works of our own plans - work - personal or otherwise

My council assistants for domestic and shopping help are always being changed or I don't have a worker organised for a shift - and it happens a lot - and hey - I do have a life -

It's almost as if everyone else can have their lives but not us - we are stuck with it - and I understand that much about what you are talking about

Today I made an appointment with my daughter to see her for Mothers Day - and she is working on Mothers Day so we are meeting for lunch on a different day - but the shifts with my helpers are so bad I am likely to have someone programmed in on that day

But I won't change it - my daughter is more important - she comes first esp I don't normally have anyone on the day I have my appointment with her

I forget what you wrote exactly - but we have rights too - and in my case I try very hard to keep my commitments - and I get really tired when I am stuffed around - and eventually angry

Dec

I get it Adge

In response to: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor27 Apr 2017, 11:10 am AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Hi @Adge .... 🐬

Thanks for tagging me yesterday. I am sorry, I haven't had a chance to read back over this thread yet, but I had a bit of a skim of your first post, so I have the gist of it for the moment, enough to send you a hug .... 🤗 .... and let you know I have heard you.

I want to read through properly for a better understanding, so I will later today or tomorrow, when I can. Back on WA time today, but feeling muddled and a bit unwell at the mo. Hoping a coffee will go some way towards straightening me up ....

In response to: Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

AdgeSenior Contributor01 May 2017, 8:09 pm AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Unfortunately dissociation largely shuts down by conversational abilities - making it so much harder to reach out to, or to connect with other people.

eg even to phone a support line, because I cannot put the words together, or express myself.

The same goes for writing (posting) - it takes a lot of concentration & effort, just to write a few lines.

Even though reaching out, & connecting with other people is the healthiest (helpful) thing to do.

I'm still reading lots of other people's posts, & I'm sending them likes. I'm feeling & being supportive, I just can't write or express very much (at the moment).

Adge

In response to: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

AdgeSenior Contributor07 May 2017, 10:14 pm AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

Unfortunately this weekend I was even less functional, largely due to dissociation. It almost totally shut me down.

There were just too many on going stresses (or triggers) - including 6 month old cat being incredibly destructive with emptying my bin all over the house & dragging my wet washing down the coridor several times.

Plus pooing on the floor & refusing to use the litter tray - despite months of trying to get her out of these bad habits.

I was at my wits end.

I couldn't think clearly or type to send text messages, emails or to write posts. I tried many times.

I did manage to make a few brief phone calls - that's somewhat easier than typing, when dissociated or feeling overwhelmed.

Adge

In response to: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

AdgeSenior Contributor07 May 2017, 10:17 pm AEST

Re: Dissociation (CPTSD) from client aggression (work)

@moderater

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