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Work-related PTSD

DazCasual Contributor10 Aug 2016, 5:19 pm AEST

Work-related PTSD

Hi, I acquired PTSD in the workplace about 15 months ago. My experience with the Worker's Compensation (WC) process is that it seems to best cater for physical injuries and not so much psychological issues. I will always remember the WC application document that asked me for "what part of your body is affected" by the injury. From then on it was pretty much treated as a physical injury. This led me to be re-traumatised when I was sent back to work way too early. There was no mental health recovery plan and no mental health recovery principles anywhere to be seen. These things do exist in the mental health sector, but dont seem to be embraced by Workcover. I am interested to find out if anyone else has experienced this issue. I would like to do something about this one-size-fits-all approach. What also "gets on my goat" is the fact that WA police officers have no access to workers compensation at all. My background is in emergency services, but I know that anyone can be subject to psychological injury while at work not just first responders.

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In response to: Work-related PTSD

utopiaSenior Contributor16 Aug 2016, 2:28 pm AEST

Re: Work-related PTSD

@MG1990.l wonder if you are seeing a psychologist or even your gp. Let them know how you are feeling / not coping at the moment. Maybe an assessment with a good psychiatrist may also be of help.
I know that feeling of worrying all weekend that you have to go back to work on Monday (or whatever day). It can paralyse you.
As much as we need money for rent food etc, we also need to look after our mental health first. These 2 priorities don't always mix. It sounds like you need a break. Can you get a medical cert from your gp? If you are or have been under WorkCover - get a workcover cert.

In response to: Work-related PTSD

Unknown userMember16 Aug 2016, 6:48 pm AEST

Re: Work-related PTSD

Great advice!

In response to: Work-related PTSD

DazCasual Contributor17 Aug 2016, 1:01 pm AEST

Re: Work-related PTSD

Hi MG1990,

Hope you are OK.

Do you know if you have access to Wellbeing and Suppot services through your uni. I never accessed the support services when I went to uni, but it might worth looking into. Let us know how you are getting on. Daz.

In response to: Work-related PTSD

InhopeCasual Contributor25 Aug 2016, 10:23 pm AEST

Re: Work-related PTSD

Hi i have joined tonight, stumbled across it really. Am probably in wrong area,am lost both on here and at home. partner (of 2yrs) is a cop and in last year had 3 physcological break downs,and self medicating. i know its ptsd with all the he has seen and dealt with over the 25 years, with no support, just on to the next tasking.

Drs diagnose schizophrenia - probably, its wot they are treating for

he has been off work since last break/hospitalization, and depression has been getting worse, disconnecting from the family, isolating himself, no motivation and sleeps most of the day away, he also feels he doesnt deserve to be happy.

I was going to leave him as each episode became so much worse than the last, to the point of insanity from what we saw and went through, and i cant even begin to imagine the anguish he was suffering.

i stayed when he begged me too, as he didnt want to be alone, yet that is exactly the way it has become here. I sleep on the couch when i can eventually fall asleep.

It has been so hard and i dont know what to do anymore, for either one of us. i try to sheild my sons the best i can. He doesnt see his kids due to crazy ex, which just adds to his despair.

I try to include him in everything but it seems pointless as i may aswel do it myself, which sounds awful.

i am tired and need help any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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