Uncovering the impact of Career Trauma (and how you can heal)

Nobody prepares you for the grief of losing or leaving a job or the sadness felt when an opportunity doesn't come to fruition or even the impact on your own self-worth whilst working for toxic line manager.

It is fair to say that, yes, across all of our careers we will encounter adversity.

From sets of challenges that can be deeply unsettling, moments when you log off for the day with relief, to even learning new ways to handle those people that not only test your patience...

they test your professionalism ??

But, what I am referring to here, goes beyond the stress of daily tasks or the pressures of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results).

What I am talking about is the emotional and psychological distress that is a result from negative and damaging professional experience(s).

This what I call Career Trauma.

(Which I can guarantee that nobody prepared you for THAT.)

Some common forms of Career Trauma includes, but not limited to:

• Job Loss - Sudden unemployment or unexpected layoffs can be a significant source of trauma (with often has an additional layer of 'badly handled redundancies') will lead to feelings of shock, despair, as well as financial insecurity.
• Workplace Bullying - Ongoing harassment, discrimination, or toxic work environments can lead to a traumatic experience that affects self-esteem and mental well-being.
• Burnout - Prolonged periods of extreme stress and overwork can result in career trauma, affecting an our physical and mental health.
• Failure or Rejection - Experiencing repeated setbacks, failures, or rejection whether pressure from self or from a line manager and even competitive colleagues can lead to feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness.

Career trauma can have far-reaching effects. We misunderstand our 'symptoms' to be a lack of grit and/or resilience. We put aside what we think are arbitrary feelings, but some of the outputs or symptoms or effects can look and feel like the following:

• Emotional & Physical Strain - Career Trauma can result in symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, and a persistent sense of loss or failure. Additionally long-term exposure to a certain trauma can manifest in physical health problems, such as insomnia, high blood pressure, and even gut-related illnesses.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Although commonly associated with military veterans, PTSD can also result from traumatic workplace experiences, such as witnessing or being subjected to harassment, violence, or any severe emotional distress. The ongoing impact of traumatic events can lead to debilitating anxiety, flashbacks, and sleep disturbances.
• Imposter Syndrome - With pervasive feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt despite evident success or competence, those affected by it often fear being exposed as a "fraud" and believe they don't truly deserve their accomplishments. This inner battle can significantly hinder career growth and overall well-being.
• Disrupted Relationships - The stress and emotional turmoil from Career Trauma can strain personal relationships, leading to increased isolation adding another layer to the impact of the Trauma.
• Career Stagnation - It is often inevitable that once people are exposed to Career related Traumas, they get stuck in their careers, unable to move forward due to the above points as well as feeling psychologically unsafe.

How do you heal?

Recovery from career trauma is possible with time, support, and self-compassion.

Here are 6 actionable steps you can take to help yourself heal and rebuild:

1. Acknowledge the Trauma - The first step is recognising that you've experienced Career Trauma and that it's ok to seek help and support.
2. Seek Professional Help - Consider consulting with a therapist or counsellor who specialises in trauma to work through your experiences and emotions. At this point, I wouldn't recommend Coaching until you have recovered from the past before looking at the future.
3. Build a Support System - Connect with friends, family, or support groups to share your feelings and experiences.
4. Self-Care - I cannot say this enough! Prioritise self-care practices, such as exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to promote mental and physical well-being.
5. Set New Goals - Re-evaluate your career goals and create a plan for moving forward. (When you are at this point, this is the time to potentially consult a Coach). Setting new goals, may involve seeking new opportunities or retraining in a different field. (This is what I did/have been doing).
6. Learn from the Experience - Try to identify the lessons and strengths gained from your Career Trauma, which can help you grow and develop resilience.

Overcoming Career Trauma is possible, but it often requires reaching out for support. It's crucial to acknowledge that you don't have to face these challenges alone and if you do feel like this article has triggered something in you, here's a list of resources to help you learn more and actions your next steps:

• Career Trauma Is a Real Thing. Here's How to Recognize and Recover From It.
• Trauma in the workplace: what it is and 5 ways leadership can help.
• Workplace trauma can affect anyone in any occupation. How can we deal with it?
• BACP Search List for Therapists
• Counselling Directory (BACP approved)

To summarise, Career Trauma is a unique form of emotional trauma that can have lasting effects beyond a persons career. Recognising the impact, seeking support, and engaging in self-care are essential steps in the healing process.

Remember that it's possible to overcome Career Trauma, emerge stronger, and even discover new opportunities and paths in your professional life.

The journey to recovery may be challenging, but with perseverance and self-compassion, it is achievable. (I can promise you that).

Until next time! ?

?? This article was co-created with ChatGPT 3.5

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About Career Column

This is a monthly LinkedIn newsletter by me, Lucy Grimwade ACC. My goal is help you make moves in the workplace by providing holistic + actionable career advice, guidance and insights.

Find out more about me, by visiting my website: www.lucygrimwade.com

??P.S. COMING SOON...

This April 2024 I will be announcing the soft launch of a combination of my Coaching Practice + Consulting Business.

It's been over 5 years since I set out on a different path from what I was on.

Over that period, I have become an ICF Accredited Coach, NLP Practitioner, CBT & L2 Counsellor. Started to freelance, write a book, speak at events.

and everything else in-between.

After spending the last two years building my personal brand, client base and network - this evolution is what is needed. It goes beyond a service as I also introduce digital products with a pipeline to turn them into a physical product.

A mail list will be set up soon, and if you would like to be added, please send me an In-Mail and I will ensure you are first on that list.

Thank you to those who have listened to me pitch ideas... some of which were sh!T and guided me to this direction. I will forever be grateful.