While there is no official DSM diagnosis to capture the nuanced aftereffects of leaving a toxic work environment - or even burnout for that sake - it’s not uncommon for people to describe the feeling like a form of PTSD. It can be common for the nervous system often remains on edge, to continue to have a hard time “shutting off,” and to carry fear, anxiety, and a sense of doubt or mistrust from the previous environment to the next.
Why does this happen?
Well, while fear and our normal response to trauma is something that evolution wired into us to keep us alive (i.e. fight or flee when faced with a lion), in today’s age our bodies don’t do a great job of distinguishing between running from a lion and what’s flagged as an urgent email when it comes to responding to stress.
To top it off, many of today's workplace environments make us feel like we’re expected to be “always on” or that everything - yes, even the speed at which you respond to that Slack message - is urgent. It’s not uncommon for many work environments to use language like “putting out a fire,” and when our paycheck and sense of financial stability is on the line, many of these emergencies can unconsciously feel life-threatening. All this can keep us in an almost constant state of fight or flight, and the saddest part is most of us have just learned to accept as normal.
When you leave a toxic work environment, it can be important to actually take the time to fully heal and re-regulate your system. This might look like taking time off, spending extra time with activities you love or that are restful or physically engaging (i.e. painting, yoga, time in nature).
It's also important to give yourself enough space to regain a sense of perspective, set stronger boundaries, and be intentional about the environment you choose to put yourself back into next. And, of course, working with a professional can be a critical part of anyone’s healing journey.
While it may sometimes take time for things to feel fully normal again, know that it’s a natural part of the process. It just takes time and intention.
