Suppose you have dropped out with PTSD, how do you ensure a successful reintegration into suitable work? In this article we will talk to Simone* to answer this question, she herself is being treated for her PTSD and has gone through a reintegration process through Puls.

We first consider the question, What is PTSD anyway?

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) forms when someone experiences a shocking event that causes someone to continue to experience long-term barriers, often referred to as trauma. This trauma can occur within various stages of life and often occurs after experiencing a major event in which someone's life was threatened, someone was seriously injured or sexual violence took place. PTSD is characterized by a combination of reactions. Consider the feeling of constant stress and a variety of physical symptoms. In addition, you feel threatened quickly which can make you extra vigilant and a key characteristic is that people report re-experiences. This can cause a tendency to withdraw.

Simone, could you share how you experience your PTSD so that others can get an idea of what exactly it entails?

''First of all, I want to make it clear that PTSD can manifest itself differently in everyone. Some can function as they should and others really suffer. For me, the traumatic events from my past caused an increased stress level. You feel like you are constantly "on". I also suffered from relapses, poor sleep and nightmares and encountered triggers at work that made me think back to these traumatic events. Actually, you can think of it as a bucket that has already overflowed. Because of the ferocity of the trauma, you have learned to push away the emotional response. Something can suddenly happen that causes this ''bucket'' to tip over, as happened to me. You can't really get around it then. Think of it as a ball you try to push away under water, or a boomerang, it will come back sooner or later anyway.''

What tips do you have for others in a reintegration process who are experiencing PTSD?

''Seek help the moment it interferes with your work and/or personal life. It is important to seek therapy when it starts to bother you. In the end, you only have yourself with it if you keep walking with your symptoms. The trick is to get through the moment you notice that the bucket is overflowing so you can face what has happened to you and heal your traumas.

The downside, however, is that there can often be long waiting lists within mainstream mental health services. I would therefore recommend working with the employer to see if there are possibilities to support you at an earlier stage. For example, I have had bridging conversations with the primary care physician. And PSION can also be a solution. You do have to be really open to tackling that help. In addition, I would advise others to find another outlet. For example, by playing sports or being creative, drawing or painting for example. Just whatever works for another to take your mind off things and keep your positive energy until the targeted counseling can start.''

What do you think is important in counseling someone with PTSD?

''Every person is different and so deals with his or her triggers in a different way. I also think it's just so important to take that into account, to really look at the person and what he or she needs. For example, in the beginning I felt burdened to indicate my own limits. And I noticed that it is important to keep indicating when something becomes too much. For example, I could only start my treatment after a long time while trying to reintegrate at the same time. At one point this became too much for me. Then my consultant, in consultation with the company doctor, put the program on hold for a while. This gave me the peace of mind I needed to manage my reintegration with my own employer and work on my recovery. That has really helped me, really looking together at 'what is appropriate and what is not' and that additional stress factors are prevented as much as possible.

In what ways has work contributed to your recovery for you?

''For me it helped a lot during my reintegration to learn to deal with the triggers that I could encounter in daily life at work. In combination with the therapy, the charge was taken off so that these triggers affected me less. Of course, this doesn't necessarily work this way for every person. That is why I think it is so important to test where your limits are and what your needs are.

Here it helped me a lot to establish short lines of communication with someone from within the organization. Someone who can act as a confidant for you. For example, a team leader, HR employee or absence specialist. Where possible, with someone with whom you have a good relationship so you can indicate how you are doing and feel openness to share. Otherwise, you are already dreading the conversation. With this confidant you can clearly communicate whether the work is still appropriate and whether, for example, you can build up more hours or whether you need to take a step back. It is precisely this personal approach that I found very pleasant.

Do you have any further tips for others in this?

''Learn to deal with your triggers. And if you can't: declare. Test where your limits are and state them clearly. In this way, you learn to communicate your own limits and the best workable situation can be looked at together.''

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Do you have an employee absent? Then switch Puls in. We will work with your employee to see where the opportunity and wishes lie in order to find a match between employee and work. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

*Simone is a fictitious name