Managing PTSD & Depression in Trauma-Exposed Professionals

Even when you have the worst possible day at work, odds are you move past it within a few days. Those in trauma-exposed professions frequently develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression that don’t improve without treatment, creating challenges in their personal and professional lives.

At Mind Matters, we believe in the whole-person behavioral health approach, which includes talk therapy and psychiatry services. We offer various treatment styles, including trauma-focused therapy (TFT), to help you regain control of your life.

When it comes to depression, it has many faces. Some people with depression struggle to get out of bed, while others conceal their symptoms and continue with life as usual. High-functioning depression is not an official condition in the DSM-5, but psychiatric providers recognize it as a distinct type of depression.

Untreated high-functioning depression can increase the risk of chronic health issues and relationship struggles. Those experiencing it may not notice the symptoms or avoid acknowledgment to maintain their outward persona.

The stigma and judgment of psychiatric illness can also push individuals away from seeking the treatment they need.

PTSD can be a debilitating condition that puts a barrier between you and the life you enjoy. Everyone experiences this condition uniquely, but the following PTSD symptoms can help you recognize it:

• Experiencing event flashbacks.
• Having intrusive thoughts.
• Avoiding things that remind you of the trauma.
• Feelings of hypervigilance.
• Persisting negative emotions, like guilt, fear, or anger.
• Experiencing positive emotions is difficult.

Talk therapy is highly beneficial as a depression treatment. Working with a therapist can help to reframe negative thinking patterns and develop positive self-talk. Combining psychiatric medications, such as SSRIs and short-term use of benzodiazepines, with talk therapy can provide the best outcomes.

Trauma-focused therapy enlists various approaches to ease PTSD symptoms. In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), many do well with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as PTSD treatment. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) empowers trauma-exposed professionals to challenge distressing thought patterns and replace them with healthier perspectives.

As with depression, using psychiatric services and therapeutic support simultaneously is often the most helpful approach.

Jennifer Moore, LPCC-S, specializes in CBT and depression, which is helpful for those in trauma-exposed fields seeking treatment. She provides therapeutic support to help her clients process and overcome the impact of trauma. Her person-centered approach allows you to take an active role in defining the journey that best serves you.

Jennifer uses CBT and goal-setting to help you identify and explore unrecognized strengths. She believes that challenges along the way are opportunities for personal growth, and a therapeutic relationship is most beneficial when built on feelings of safety and trust.

While you can’t eliminate trauma exposure in many professions, you can support personnel at all levels. Here are some strategies and tools to lessen the impact of trauma in any field:

• Educate all team members on recognizing the signs of depression and PTSD, and the importance of understanding and exercising empathy.
• Encourage open communication and check in on team members who might be struggling.
• Normalize requesting support and make resources readily available.
• Encourage work-life balance and self-care with suggestions on how to do so.