You’re not crazy, you’re injured: How trauma affects the mind as much as the body. Coping with a workers compensation claim for a psychological injury

Trauma changes how your brain and body work

When you’re on a workers compensation claim for a psychological injury, it’s easy to start doubting yourself. Maybe you’ve heard whispers—“They’re exaggerating.” Maybe you’ve been treated like a problem instead of a person. Maybe even you’ve started wondering, “Am I just weak?”

Let’s clear this up right now: you’re not crazy. You’re injured.

Just like a broken leg needs a cast and rest—not judgment or disbelief—a psychological injury needs the same kind of care, validation, and time to heal.

This blog is for you. Whether you’re in the middle of a claim, thinking about lodging one, or just trying to get your footing again, here’s the truth: trauma changes how your brain and body work. That’s not weakness. That’s survival.

Psychological injuries are real injuries

It’s strange how much stigma still exists around mental health, especially when it comes to work. If you slipped a disc lifting something heavy, no one would ask if you were “just being emotional.” But if your injury comes from chronic stress, bullying, vicarious trauma, or a toxic work environment—it often feels like you’re the one on trial.

Let’s be very clear: psychological injuries are biological injuries too. Research shows that prolonged stress and trauma alter your nervous system, shift your hormone responses, and affect memory, sleep, digestion, mood, and even immunity.

You might feel foggy. Numb. Hyper-alert. Exhausted but unable to sleep. You might cry easily or feel nothing at all. These are not personality flaws. These are normal responses to an abnormal experience.

From shame to understanding: It’s not your fault

One of the hardest parts of a work-related psychological injury is how isolating it feels. You may have gone from being a capable, trusted team member to someone sitting in waiting rooms, filling out forms, wondering if you’ll ever feel like yourself again.

That shift can come with a heavy load of shame—especially when systems or people (including some well-meaning ones) question the legitimacy of what you’re going through.

But here’s the reframe that matters: You are not failing. You are healing.

Just like someone with a physical injury might need rehab, support, and patience, so do you. But because psychological injuries are invisible, you often have to fight for that same care. That’s unjust—but it’s not your fault. You're not making it up. You're not being dramatic. You're not broken. You're injured, and you deserve help.

How trauma shows up in real life

Trauma doesn’t always look like flashbacks or panic attacks. It can look like:

• Struggling to concentrate on even simple tasks

• Feeling dread every Sunday night

• Avoiding people or situations that remind you of work

• Being unable to relax, even on days off

• Constantly second-guessing yourself or feeling like you’re "too sensitive"

• Feeling like you’re just not “you” anymore

All of these are signs your nervous system is stuck in survival mode. It's not weakness. It's biology.

The good news? Recovery is absolutely possible—and there are people who understand and want to help.

What you deserve (Yes, deserve) from support services

As someone on a workers comp journey, you deserve more than just box-ticking. You deserve:

• Counsellors and therapists who understand workplace trauma

  Not every therapist gets what it’s like to feel unsafe at work, or how much identity can be wrapped up in a job. Look for someone who sees the full picture.

• Validation without judgment

  You’re allowed to be angry, sad, confused, or all three. Good support helps you unpack that, not suppress it.

• Space to heal at your own pace

  Recovery isn’t linear. Some days will feel better. Some won’t. That’s normal.

• Advocates who walk beside you

  Whether it’s a GP, counsellor, rehab provider, or peer, find people who treat you like a human being—not a problem to be fixed.

You’re still you—Just in recovery

It’s easy to lose sight of yourself in the middle of this. But the you who existed before the injury is still in there. You’re not broken. You’re not weak. You’re going through something incredibly tough—and you’re still here. That matters.

Let this be your reminder: You don’t have to “prove” your pain to deserve support. You don’t have to downplay it or be stoic. You get to ask for help. You get to receive care.

And one day, when you're ready, you’ll look back and realise that this chapter—while awful—was also the beginning of learning to listen to yourself again. To rest. To breathe. To know your worth.

Final thoughts: You are not alone

If you’re on a workers comp claim, or thinking about starting one, we see you. We know how hard it is to speak up when you're hurting—especially when you fear being judged, misunderstood, or dismissed.

But healing starts with this truth: You are not crazy. You are injured. And injured people deserve care. Full stop.

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to go through this without support.

Reach out. Talk it through. There’s help available—and you are worth it.