Anyone else have a triggering workplace? I work in a criminal defense law firm and I have to read horrible police reports and stuff all day long it’s very emotionally bd raining and triggering. I worry when I read the sexually explicit ones that I am enjoying it somehow. I worry when I read the ones about people snapping and killing their family members or loved ones or abusing their children that it’ll happen to me. The human mind is so complex and I’m reminded of that everyday at work. I feel like I’m always one small step away from ending up in jail, or hurting someone I love.

Freemeofocd

Date posted: 5y

In the meantime at least I will have perfect opportunity to practice ERP.... right?! ?

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

Absolutely! Though maybe you could also see a therapist to process some of the traumatic work stuff?

Estrid

Date posted: 5y

Absolutely! Are you in therapy? Maybe you can get help with these issues.

catattak

Date posted: 5y

Not quite the same but I am a fundraiser with contamination ocd. I have a huge fear of covid and all I do is write appeals for our covid 19 relief fund, read stories from people we've helped with their covid stories and research covid stats to include in communications. It's like all I do all day is think about the thing I'm afraid of and I have to do it to stay gainfully employed in a pandemic. Yours is much worse but wanted to share.

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

That sounds very emotionally draining. That's not work for everybody, to be sure. Are you an attorney, paralegal, administrative assistant?

Freemeofocd

Date posted: 5y

Receptionist. I have to read all of the police reports and they are really graphic. I had one last week that thrust me into this most recent week long episode. Really feeling like I need to re-evaluate my work environment.

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

@Freemeofocd Honestly, I think that reasonable. Few people would want to work at a coroner's office because of similar emotional after-effects. I personally do not see that as avoidance.

ThreeLittleB...

Date posted: 5y

This is so RELATABLE!!! I work for a medical supplies company and I have to read clinicals/medical charts all day long of victims of neglect, injuries, mental illnesses. I always wonder if I’m capable of developing the same illnesses or becoming like them. Sick and suffering. It’s a daily battle and the children cases are the most difficult to read through. It’s very painful to have OCD in the workplace.

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

Do you like the work, otherwise?

ThreeLittleB...

Date posted: 5y

@Fear Strikes Out No I don’t enjoy my job but I’ve always worked in customer service and retail. I’m lucky I’m in the medical field because there is an opportunity to make an okay living. But I suffer in the position I’m in. I don’t want to know about people’s illnesses and their personal struggles. It’s painful to absorb every single day.

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

@ThreeLittleBirds Is it possible to find another position that pays you decently that does not involve physical or mental health?

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