Many people in Indiana get injured in their workplace. Now, workplace injuries do not merely have a physical impact but carry some profound psychological effects that can have a significant impact on the mental health and overall well-being of the person.
Such accidents and injuries leave them struggling with not just physical recovery but a range of emotional responses as well. If you or your loved ones, unfortunately, suffered workplace injuries, they deserve fair compensation for all their losses, and a lawyer can help attain that; click here to learn more about how to proceed ahead.
Now, let us talk about workplace injuries’ psychological effects and have a closer look at different crucial aspects of it.
Workplace Injuries- Emotional Responses
Injuries sustained at the workplace can trigger a spectrum of feelings. For example, denial and shock are generally the very first responses, mainly if the injury is more severe or life-changing.
People who get injured at their workplace may struggle to accept the reality of the situation and believe that all of it is merely a bad dream and that they will soon be awake. But, their denial is essentially a coping mechanism kicking in to deal with initial emotional pain.
After that, the person can feel frustration and anger. The person might even direct the anger towards the circumstances that resulted in the accident, their employer, or even themselves. The frustration and anger arise from feelings of unfairness and disturbance to their life along with livelihood.
Fear and anxiety can be there, too, especially when there are concerns regarding financial stability, recovery, and the possibility of getting injured in the future. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding the ability to get back to work or maintain a living standard can be paralyzing, which affects the mental health and recovery process of the person.
Another significant psychological effect of workplace injuries is depression. Unfortunately, the lifestyle changes, independence loss, and the strain on personal relationships can result in feelings of despair and hopelessness.
In severe cases, injured workers might even experience PTSD, reliving the trauma through nightmares and flashbacks, which complicates the recovery path further.
Psychological Effects of Workplace Injuries- Factors Influencing Them
The impact can differ quite significantly among workers and may be influenced by numerous factors:
1. Severity of the Injury
The more severe the injury, the more psychological impact it has on the person in most cases. Primarily due to the longer time required to recover and the more significant impact on the ability of the individual to work and engage in daily activities.
2. Overall Workplace Culture
The response of the employer to the injury and the overall culture of the workplace regarding support and safety can pretty significantly affect the worker’s psychological recovery.
3. Absence or Presence of Support Systems
The absence or presence of a robust support system, including friends, family, and mental health support in a professional context, can influence the injured worker’s emotional well-being.
4. Past Mental Health Conditions
People with a mental health issue history may be more prone to experiencing some severe psychological effects after a workplace injury. It is also possible that some past mental health conditions may get triggered again, or the existing one may get worse than before.
Let’s Bring It All Together!
It is good to see that people are paying more attention to the psychological impacts of all kinds of accidents apart from the physical ones. Good mental health is essential, or some people may argue it to be more vital than physical health at times.
It is suggested to facilitate the complex healing process of psychological scars through engaging with mental health professionals, peer support, adopting stress-reduction practices and mindfulness, and fostering open communication with employers.
Acknowledging the significance of patience along with self-compassion throughout the process of recovery is also a must. Such people need a good lawyer to help them receive fair compensation, which allows them to deal with the losses to some extent.
