How To Deal With Psychological Abuse

How to deal with psychological abuse at work runs into a difficulty that physical conduct does not create. The person on the receiving end frequently doubts their own account.

That is not weakness. Sustained undermining, contradiction and shifting expectations produce exactly that effect, and being told they are overreacting reinforces it.

What helps is external reference points. A written record made at the time, which is harder to argue with later. One person outside the situation who knows what is happening. And professional support, because the health effects are real whether or not anything is formally found.

If this is affecting you, speaking with your doctor or an employee assistance service is a reasonable first step, and it does not commit you to any formal process.

Safe Work Australia covers psychosocial hazards. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s psychological safety training course and mental health and wellbeing course.