October 12, 2016
Does this scenario sound familiar? First, you are injured on the job, now your life has changed dramatically and not for the better. Maybe you are stuck at home, unable to work until the workman’s comp case and the treatment(s) have run their course. Maybe you have to get retraining and switch careers altogether. Maybe you are dealing with chronic pain now as a result of your on the job injury. The stress of the workman’s comp claim along with the complications of the injury has you feeling powerless and frustrated. If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone.
In fact, many people who are injured on the job struggle with depression or emotional detachment as a direct result of the significant emotional and physical changes that they face after the injury (Occupational Injuries & Illnesses). The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine published findings by Asfaw and Souza (collectively) in an article titled, “Incidence of Depression After Occupational Injury.” Here is a summary of some of the data they pulled together from over 440,000 people:
- A person who has been injured on the job is 43% more likely to develop depression than those that have not been injured.
- Female workers who have been injured are 50% more likely to develop depression than their male counterparts.
- Depression problems increased in injured workers up to ages 31-40.
Many people who find themselves in the middle of the workman’s comp nightmare also find themselves struggling with depression. It is more common than you might believe and important that you know you are not alone, and you may have resources available to you. We offer some tips and options in our Depression and Workman’s Comp Injuries Linked: Part 2