Accident at work - how long to get over it?

[TulipsAndCarnations]

Sorry, I know Chat maybe isn't the best place for this, but I didn't know where to put it...

I had an accident at work recently. Fortunately no long-term effects and fairly minor short term ones. But it could have been fatal and I was very lucky - a wire came loose in a piece of equipment and it earthed through me when I touched it.

There's an investigation now, so it doesn't happen again but it's really hard to keep talking through it with all different people (and some are really pushing me to 'defend' how it happened). I have obvious dressings on the burns too so colleagues keep asking.

Although I've been back in I haven't gone back to the room where it happened (it's locked up). I've also had a couple of panic attacks, which I hate because I feel so out of control! I've had nightmares about it too, which logically I know is just my brain working through it.

It was very unlucky, just one of those things and it won't happen again. But I'm so scared I'll lose my nerve - I can't do much work at the moment because of the burns and I think the longer I'm out the harder it will be. Everybody's being very nice and I probably won't have to use the equipment again, but I just feel a little bit useless at the moment.

Has anybody had a similar nasty experience and roughly how long did it take for you to feel normal? I hate feeling like this

[lazycrazyhazy]

I haven't had anything as scary but did feel ridiculously traumatised and kept having flash backs after a potentially serious car accident last year. I was going very slowly and managed to avoid a full head on collision (his car was going too fast and lost control on bend) by driving into the wall on my side so he just clipped me. My DGC was in the back and I think that's maybe why I kept dwelling and thinking "what if". I decided if I was still dwelling after my summer holiday I would go for counselling but did feel better and also got a new car which helped. My DD had group counselling after a traumatic birth and that also helped her. Is there nothing which can be arranged through work?

[TulipsAndCarnations]

Thank you lazy, I can understand why that would be scary - at least mine was only me!

I should maybe ask about counselling but I don't know at which point it's 'needed' - is it better to have it maybe a bit early rather than wait and hope it goes on its own?

[INeedNewShoes]

Counselling now would be a good idea. You know the incident is affecting you and you can't rely on things improving on their own. You may as well do what you can to try and ease the trauma and minimise any long term effects.

[ChestyNut]

I had an accident at work and ended up in surgery. I was off work for around 3 months.

I managed ok but played it over and over in my head for a few months, just the brain trying to process I guess.

The whole starting the day as any other but ending up in surgery was hard to grasp.

I had a lot of anxiety around anything that made the ground slippery for a year I'd say.
I had to actively "talk" to myself that it was normal to feel apprehensive and out of all the 15 years I'd worked it had never happened before and likely wouldn't again.

Youll get there OP just takes time

[TulipsAndCarnations]

Thank you I might see how it goes this week when it's more 'normal'.

You're right - going in with all plans for a normal day and then not getting to do them is really odd, it was just like any other morning until that point.

I'm glad you feel better about it now - I suppose it was only last week for me and it will take a while.

[YNK]

If you are in a union they can pay for solicitors.
I was attacked at work in 2014 and Unison are paying solicitors fees.
Not only was I seriously physically hurt, the trauma will be with me forever.

[TulipsAndCarnations]

I'm struggling a bit today.

I hate the fact I can't shower or wash my hair, I'm really struggling to put make up on and buttons are tricky. I just don't feel like me.

I've booked a hairdressers appointment to have have my hair washed and dried so hopefully that will make me feel a bit better!

I know it's only temporary and I'm very lucky, but having to wear plastic gloves to brush my teeth, go to the loo etc (tmi but I'm on at the moment to add another layer of fun...) is just a bit miserable.

[DawnMumsnet]

Hi, we're moving this thread over to our Mental Health topic now, at the OP's request.

Tulips, we can see you're getting plenty of advice and support on this thread. Really hope things start getting easier for you.

[NolongerAnxiousCarer]

I think they say its normal for these feelings to last about a month after the event, if its still going on after that then you could see your GP. I'm thinking it was quite recent if you still have bad burns.

[TulipsAndCarnations]

Thank you Dawn

That's good to know Nolonger - you're right, it was a week and a half ago, so I'll give it a bit longer.

Having my hair done has made me feel better and I had a long phone call with a good friend earlier which was nice - with it being the long weekend I've probably had a bit too much time on my own to dwell on it!

[NolongerAnxiousCarer]

Thats no time at all. I'm not surprised you are still feeling pretty shook up by it. I think anyone would be.

[TulipsAndCarnations]

I'm feeling better in myself now (burns healing and smaller dressings so can do much more) but I'm having horrible nightmares. Just going over and over different bits of it. And now I've started back doing some other lab work I'm having nightmares about that too...

I feel so tired and I worry I'm going to completely lose my nerve about doing experiments.

[NolongerAnxiousCarer]

I think its normal to a certain extent to feel this way. If its not settling it would be worth seeing your GP or asking if work provide any councelling etc. Glad you are feeling a bit better in yourself though.