Can PTSD disqualify you from a job?
Asked by: Pete Howell | Last update: July 8, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (29 votes)
Most people think of physical injuries and diseases when they think of disabilities. However, mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are also disabilities. PTSD can prevent a person from returning to work or earning their regular income.
Does PTSD make it hard to get a job?
Because of stigma about PTSD, some employers may have concerns about hiring you. This can make it harder for you to get the job you want. If you have a job already, you may feel stressed or nervous at work. Or you may be worn out from not getting enough sleep.
Can I lose my job because of PTSD?
PTSD in the Workplace
Certain rules are in place to allow those who suffer from PTSD to receive treatment without losing their jobs. Though some requirements are in place, and they change from time to time, the Family Medical Leave Act (FLMA) protects full-time employees from losing their job due to PTSD.
Can PTSD stop me from working?
From severe anxiety to intrusive flashbacks, PTSD can disrupt your life and may create problems maintaining a normal daily routine. Sometimes, those who suffer from PTSD find it difficult to hold a job or function normally in social situations.
Does PTSD limit your ability to work?
Now, symptoms of PTSD can interfere with the individual's ability to work in numerous ways. These include memory problems, lack of concentration, poor relationships with coworkers, trouble staying awake, fear, anxiety, panic attacks, emotional outbursts while at work, flashbacks, and absenteeism.
Complex PTSD in 5 Minutes
Can a PTSD diagnosis affect a job?
Although being employed has economic and mental health advantages, having PTSD makes it more difficult to find employment. Savoca and Rosenheck (2000) found that PTSD status greatly decreased the probability of current employment, and that PTSD status had a greater effect on unemployment than years of education.
At what point is PTSD a disability?
If PTSD meets certain criteria, such as being diagnosed by a doctor and impairing or limiting areas of life, it may qualify a person for disability benefits. PTSD is also covered under the ADA. This means it is considered a disability, and people cannot be discriminated against due to the condition.
What are the 5 stages of PTSD?
- Impact or Emergency Stage. ...
- Denial/ Numbing Stage. ...
- Rescue Stage (including Intrusive or Repetitive stage) ...
- Short-term Recovery or Intermediate Stage. ...
- Long-term reconstruction or recovery stage.
Is PTSD a protected disability?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including those with PTSD. It requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees to perform their job duties effectively.
Why do people with PTSD struggle to work?
Things like depression and low mood, difficulty interacting with others, substance use, and avoiding triggers that remind you of trauma can all impact your ability to do a job well, if at all. For too many people living with PTSD, it is not possible to work while struggling with its symptoms and complications.
What is the most PTSD prone job?
- Police Officers.
- Firefighters.
- First Responders/Ambulance Personnel.
- Other Healthcare Professionals.
- Photojournalists.
- War Correspondents.
- PTSD and Substance Abuse.
- References:
What is the average payout for PTSD?
The average PTSD settlement amount is often between $10,000 and $100,000. Factors that influence the amount include injury severity, loss of income, how fault is determined, and the impact of injuries on everyday life.
Is it hard to prove PTSD?
To prove PTSD, a plaintiff must have proper expert testimony. Jurors will want to hear from a treating psychiatrist or psychologist and to see that the victim has undergone a significant course of treatment.
What job is good for people with PTSD?
- Counsellor.
- Nurse or health care worker.
- Massage therapist. A massage therapy role might provide a calming and healing environment for individuals with PTSD.
Can your job fire you for having PTSD?
Wrongfully Terminated
The law protects employees suffering from depression, PTSD, and other mental health disorders from workplace discrimination and harassment due to their condition. If you have a mental health condition, you should know your rights in the workplace.
What is the unemployment rate for PTSD?
Among veterans with PTSD, 203 (54.0%) were employed, 178 were retired (28.2%), 31 (7.3%) were unemployed, and 38 (10.5%) were disabled.
Do I have to disclose my PTSD to my employer?
Are employees with PTSD required to disclose their disability to their employers? No. Employees need only disclose their disability if/when they need an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
What are the 7 symptoms of PTSD?
- Being easily startled.
- Feeling tense, on guard, or on edge.
- Having difficulty concentrating.
- Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Feeling irritable and having angry or aggressive outbursts.
- Engaging in risky, reckless, or destructive behavior.
How does PTSD limit your ability to work?
PTSD can also cause changes in mood and behavior, such as irritability, anger, and avoidance of people or situations that remind you of the trauma. This can make it difficult to communicate and collaborate with coworkers, which can impact your work performance and relationships with colleagues.
Does PTSD ever go away?
For some, reactions continue and are severe. PTSD symptoms usually appear soon after trauma. For most people, these symptoms go away on their own within the first few weeks and months after the trauma. For some, the symptoms can last for many years, especially if they go untreated.
What not to do with someone with PTSD?
- Startling them: Unexpected loud noises, sudden movements, or surprises can trigger fear or flashbacks in people with PTSD. ...
- Invading their personal space: Touching the person or getting too close to them without their permission can make them feel threatened and unsafe.
How do PTSD victims feel?
Negative changes in thinking and mood
Ongoing negative emotions of fear, blame, guilt, anger or shame. Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of a traumatic event. Feeling detached from family and friends.
Can PTSD prevent you from getting a job?
While it may be difficult to get a job with PTSD, there are many benefits of treatment that make it worth seeking help. Some of the most common treatments for PTSD are: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT is a type of therapy that helps people change their thoughts and behaviors.
How much money do you get for PTSD disability?
Is PTSD a disability? Yes. Depending on the severity, a veteran's diagnosis of PTSD is eligible for a VA disability rating of 100% ($3,831.30/month), 70% ($1,759.19/month), 50% ($1,102.04/month), 30% ($537.42/month), 10% ($175.51/month), or 0% (no payment).
What not to say during PTSD evaluation?
Understand that essentially everything you say during your PTSD C&P exam could be used to award your benefits or deny your claim. Therefore, avoid saying things like, 'I'm doing alright. ' While this is a natural part of small talk, don't give the VA the change to misinterpret what you mean.