• Home
  • Store
    • Newsletter Subscriptions
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN SA Courses
  • CME Center
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Blog
  • Newsletters
    • General Psychiatry
    • Child Psychiatry
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Hospital Psychiatry
    • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Log In
  • Register
  • Welcome
  • Sign Out
  • Subscribe
Home » Minimizing PTSD From Workplace Trauma

Minimizing PTSD From Workplace Trauma

January 7, 2022
William Jacobowitz, EdD, RN
From The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
Issue Links: Learning Objectives | Editorial Information | PDF of Issue
William Jacobowitz, EdD, RN. Associate Professor, College of Nursing and Public Health, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY. Mr. Jacobowitz has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.
For staff on inpatient psychiatric units, the rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is around 9%, which is two to three times higher than the national prevalence rate of 3%–5%. Rates are higher if you work with forensic patients or if you’re a nurse. Nearly all (96%) psychiatric nurses have been directly or indirectly exposed to a critical event, and over half have been physically assaulted by a patient (Hilton NZ et al, Psychiatr Serv 2020;71(3):221–227).

Typical manifestations of workplace PTSD include disengagement from patient care, frequent absenteeism, and a tendency to self-isolate. Over half of workers who meet PTSD criteria also meet criteria for depression or anxiety (Seto MC et al, Can J Psychiatry 2020;65(8):577–583).

How can we mitigate our risk of developing PTSD after a traumatic event? Debriefing sessions help, especially if they take place soon after the event—within 10 hours. Be careful, however, as a single debriefing can be retraumatizing if it is not followed with individual counseling, which staff can seek through their workplace’s employee assistance program.

Here are some additional tips to help you decrease your chances of developing PTSD after workplace trauma:

  • Try to carry on with your usual work activities—in effect, you’ll be practicing exposure therapy, a common psychological intervention in treating PTSD.

  • Talk to people and spend time with others.

  • Practice mindfulness—which includes muscle relaxation, meditation, and frequent self-assessment of stress level.

  • Make as many daily decisions as possible, even about minor things—like what to make for dinner—as they will give you a feeling of control over your life.

  • Understand that you might experience recurring thoughts, dreams, or flashbacks; they are normal and will decrease over time.


Here are some ways that you can help co-workers who have been exposed to trauma:

  • Offer them assistance and a listening ear even if they have not asked for help.

  • Don’t pressure them to recount the incident if they don’t want to. Respect their privacy.

  • Don’t tell them they are “lucky it wasn’t worse.” Instead, affirm that you are sorry such an event has occurred, and you want to understand and help them (Mitchell JT. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM): Group Crisis Intervention, 4th ed. Ellicott City, MD: International Critical Incident Stress Foundation; 2006).


Also, consider scheduling routine monthly staff meetings, as they help reduce the risk of PTSD by enhancing employee cohesion and providing opportunities to express concerns and receive support (Jacobowitz W, Issues Ment Health Nurs 2013;34(11):787–795).

CHPR Verdict: Many of us experience or witness traumatic incidents on inpatient psychiatric units, so it’s no surprise that rates of PTSD are high. Practical tips can help reduce the risk, but be careful about debriefing sessions as they can be retraumatizing if not done correctly.
Hospital Psychiatry
KEYWORDS debriefing nurses post-traumatic-stress-disorder ptsd trauma workplace
William Jacobowitz, EdD, RN

More from this author
www.thecarlatreport.com
Issue Date: January 7, 2022
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Table Of Contents
CME Post-Test - Testifying, CHPR, January/February/March 2022
A Primer for Psychiatrists on Court Hearings
Borderline Personality Disorder in the ED
Tarasoff: Making Sense of the Duty to Warn or Protect
Principles of Verbal De-Escalation
Minimizing PTSD From Workplace Trauma
The Role of rTMS in Poststroke Depression
DOWNLOAD NOW
Featured Book
  • CMFB2e_Cover.png

    (PRE-ORDER) Child Medication Fact Book for Psychiatric Practice, Second Edition (2023)

    All the important facts covering child and adolescent psychopharmacology.
    READ MORE
Featured Video
  • therapist_canstockphoto9201097.jpg
    General Psychiatry

    Using SAMe In Clinical Practice with Garrett Rossi, MD

    Read More
Featured Podcast
  • canstockphoto104192710.jpg
    Hospital Psychiatry

    Management of Depression and Neurocognitive Impairment in Patients With HIV

    Strategies for the evaluation and management of HIV-associated mood and cognitive changes and potential drug interactions between psychiatric and antiretroviral medications. 

    Listen now
Recommended
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png

About

  • About Us
  • CME Center
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Shop Online

  • Newsletters
  • Multimedia Subscriptions
  • Books
  • eBooks
  • ABPN Self-Assessment Courses

Newsletters

  • The Carlat Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
  • The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Geriatric Psychiatry Report

Contact

info@thecarlatreport.com

866-348-9279

PO Box 626, Newburyport MA 01950

Follow Us

Please see our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Subscription Agreement, Use of Cookies, and Hardware/Software Requirements to view our website.

© 2023 Carlat Publishing, LLC and Affiliates, All Rights Reserved.