Effects Of Workplace Harassment on Mental Health

Immediate Mental Health Effects of Workplace Bullying

Workplace bullying takes an immediate toll on mental health. Victims experience a chain of psychological responses that disrupt their daily lives. Research shows victims suffer psychological distress almost right after being bullied ^[1].

Anxiety and panic responses

Anxiety surfaces as the first sign when employees face bullying at work. Studies show that bullying guides people toward increased anxiety ^[2]. Victims live with constant unease and fear. They develop a heightened sense of watchfulness and always expect the next round of mistreatment ^[3].

Physical signs of anxiety show up through tense muscles, high stress, and sometimes panic attacks ^[4]. Bullying disrupts mental health by stopping employees from feeling independent and capable ^[1]. This makes their anxiety worse. The constant state of alert drains their emotional energy and makes everyday tasks harder to complete.

Depression and mood changes

Depression remains the most common psychological effect of workplace bullying. Studies link bullying directly to depression that can last up to five years ^[1]. Victims often feel sad, emotionally drained, and experience mood swings ^[4].

Emotional scars from bullying tend to stick around. Painful memories keep playing in victims’ minds and cause long-term psychological damage ^[5]. On top of that, bullying at work connects to thoughts of suicide ^[1], especially with physical threats. This emotional burden often leaves people less motivated and disconnected from their work.

Self-doubt and decreased confidence

Bullying at work slowly chips away at self-confidence. Victims start to question their worth and abilities. This creates a cycle of self-doubt that spreads beyond their job ^[6]. Research shows bullying substantially changes how people view and believe in themselves ^[7]. They feel more and more helpless.

Constant negative feedback and criticism make victims take insults to heart. They develop feelings of shame, guilt, and worthlessness ^[7]. Sometimes this ends in self-hatred. Their self-respect drops dramatically and leaves lasting damage to how they see themselves as professionals.

Sleep disturbances and fatigue

Sleep problems start soon after bullying begins. Studies reveal victims use more sleep medications and calming drugs than their non-bullied coworkers ^[6]. They struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up too early ^[8].

Sleep issues get worse over time because victims feel angry about work and keep thinking about bullying incidents ^[8]. Poor sleep affects how they function each day ^[8]. This creates a cycle where tiredness makes it harder to cope and leaves them open to more bullying. Research shows these sleep problems can even spread to the victims’ partners ^[8].

Long-term Psychological Damage from Harassment

Workplace harassment does more than cause immediate pain. Research shows its effects on mental health can last up to 25 years^[9]. These lasting impacts substantially change how victims live their lives and work professionally.

Development of clinical anxiety disorders

The environment created by workplace harassment breeds clinical anxiety disorders. Studies show employees who face chronic workplace harassment have substantially higher anxiety rates even two years after it happens ^[10]. Genetics plays a role in who becomes vulnerable. Research shows people carrying certain ADRB2 gene variants report more anxiety after bullying than others ^[11]. The connection between workplace harassment and anxiety works both ways. Anxiety symptoms can predict future victimization ^[12]. This creates a destructive cycle that’s hard to break free from.

Chronic depression and suicidal thoughts

People exposed to workplace harassment for long periods face double the risk of clinical depression ^[13]. A Swedish study that tracked harassment victims for 13 years found strong links between workplace harassment, suicide attempts and completed suicides ^[14]. Depression from harassment often continues even after the harassment stops. One study found higher depressive symptoms lasted up to 10 years ^[14]. Workers who face threats or violence at work are 2.2 times more likely to develop depression two years later ^[13].

Post-traumatic stress symptoms

Workplace bullying often triggers post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 30% of targets develop PTSD symptoms ^[15]. These include flashbacks (50%), heightened alertness (83%), and intense prolonged distress (59%) ^[15]. A literature review found 57% of bullying victims met PTSD criteria ^[16]. Complex PTSD accounts for long-term repeated trauma exposure. It shows through impulsivity, rage, isolation, and thoughts of revenge ^[15].

Substance abuse as coping mechanism

Many harassment victims use substances to self-medicate their pain. Research shows ongoing sexual and general workplace harassment substantially increases alcohol misuse decades later ^[9]. This impact runs deeper than current stressors ^[14]. It shows how firmly this unhealthy coping method becomes rooted. Substances offer brief escape but ended up making psychological health worse. They also damage personal relationships and career stability ^[2].

How Psychological Harassment Affects Physical Health

Workplace harassment hurts more than just mental health – it creates real, measurable changes in the body. Medical research shows that ongoing stress from psychological harassment triggers biological responses that turn emotional trauma into physical health problems.

Stress-related physical symptoms

People who face workplace bullying often develop multiple physical symptoms from constant stress. They commonly experience ongoing headaches, digestive issues like diarrhea or constipation ^[3], and muscle tension ^[4]. Many victims have trouble sleeping and deal with insomnia or poor sleep quality ^[17]. Almost everyone who experiences workplace harassment feels tired, which can lead to complete exhaustion as their body tries to cope with chronic stress ^[18].

Cardiovascular effects

Workplace harassment substantially increases heart disease risk through several biological pathways. Research shows that employees who face workplace bullying have a 59% higher risk of cardiovascular disease ^[19]. The risk jumps to 120% higher for those who experience frequent bullying ^[19]. Long-term exposure to harassment releases stress hormones that raise blood pressure, disrupt heart rhythms, and harm arterial walls ^[19]. Scientists believe that eliminating workplace bullying could prevent about 5% of all cardiovascular cases ^[19].

Immune system suppression

The constant stress from harassment weakens the immune system and makes victims more likely to get sick. When stress response systems stay active, they release cortisol and other hormones that eventually suppress immune function ^[11]. So harassed employees catch more colds, get more infections, and take longer to recover ^[5]. The harassment also causes inflammation throughout the body ^[11], creating a direct link between workplace stress and immune system problems.

Chronic pain conditions

Psychological harassment often leads to various chronic pain disorders. Victims typically develop muscle and bone pain, especially in their neck, shoulders, and back ^[18]. Stress from workplace harassment can make existing pain worse or trigger new pain syndromes ^[20]. The stress changes how people perceive pain and lowers their pain tolerance, which makes normal sensations feel more painful ^[21]. These pain conditions usually continue even after the harassment stops, causing long-term disability that lasts well beyond their time at work ^[22].

Building Resilience Against Workplace Harassment

Workplace harassment demands personal strength and a solid support system to protect your mental health. Research shows that resilience is a vital mediating role between workplace bullying and employees’ health ^[23]. This helps you adapt better to stressful situations and stay healthier despite adversity.

Developing healthy coping strategies

The right coping strategies shield you from the psychological effects of workplace harassment. You can learn and develop resilience – it’s not a fixed trait but a natural human capacity ^[24]. People feel less psychological distress when they take active steps instead of avoiding or giving up ^[25]. Here are some practical steps:

• Document incidents with detailed records of bullying events, dates, times, and witnesses ^[7]
• Practice mindfulness techniques to handle stress and stay centered ^[6]
• Build detached empathy to react less while keeping a clear view ^[4]
• Use the BIFF technique (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm) to respond to gaslighting behavior ^[4]

Creating support networks

Research shows that supportive relationships are the foundation of building resilience ^[24]. People who faced harassment say their support network helped them survive ^[26]. In spite of that, you need to choose your confidants wisely—the best supporters show sympathy without trying to control your choices ^[26].

You can expand beyond friends and family by connecting with:

• Mental health professionals who understand trauma and PTSD ^[8]
• Crisis hotlines, even if you don’t see your situation as a “crisis” ^[26]
• Online communities of people with similar experiences ^[26]

Setting boundaries at work

Clear boundaries protect your mental health during workplace harassment. These limits show others what behavior you will and won’t accept ^[4]. Physical boundaries might mean asking someone to step back when they’re too close or using desks to keep your space ^[6].

Emotional boundaries need direct communication—use “I” statements to address specific behaviors ^[4]. Stay professional but follow through with consequences when someone crosses your boundaries ^[4]. Speaking up about inappropriate behavior with statements like “I don’t appreciate being spoken to this way” can help calm situations down ^[27].

Conclusion

Workplace harassment poses a serious threat to employees’ well-being. It affects their mental and physical health in multiple ways. Research shows that victims of harassment face most important health risks, ranging from immediate psychological distress to trauma that can last for decades. Anxiety and depression are common original responses that often lead to severe conditions like PTSD and cardiovascular disease.

Organizations need to see workplace harassment beyond just an HR issue. It has become a genuine health crisis that needs immediate action. Building personal resilience with active coping strategies helps protect mental health. This burden should not fall on victims alone. Strong support networks and clear boundaries are vital defensive measures against harassment’s devastating impact.

Tackling workplace harassment needs dedication from organizations and their people. Companies that make anti-harassment policies a priority and give proper training encourage supportive environments. This protects their employees’ well-being and operational success. But ground change happens only when everyone works together to spot, prevent, and deal with harassment in all its forms.