Workers who sustained injuries on the job may also suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to shock or fear. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is natural for people to experience fear after being in a traumatic situation.
Because of this, those who met workplace accidents in Minnesota can include PTSD treatment in their workers’ compensation claims. The state’s Department of Labor and Industry adopted the PTSD treatment rules that became effective on May 4, 2020.
Diagnosis and evaluation
A licensed psychiatrist or psychologist must determine if an injured worker has a mental impairment of PTSD. The worker should also meet the American Psychiatric Association’s criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.
Regarding the evaluation, a mental health care provider should check the worker’s functional status and family history. They should also determine if the worker has other disorders and which treatments and medications would be most beneficial for them.
Treatment
After this, the provider will create a treatment plan with a timetable of treatments and goals plus a return-to-work plan. Then, they will perform psychotherapy treatment for PTSD with modalities such as cognitive therapy and prolonged exposure therapy.
In addition, the provider must ensure that they abide by the law’s limitations on the types of medication to give. They should also follow the prescribed daily dosage and duration of taking the medication.
Assessment
Furthermore, the law requires providers to hold an assessment every two weeks. This will allow them to evaluate the worker’s functional status and review and modify the treatment plan. They can also complete a Report of Work Ability (RWA) or recommend having more periods of treatment.
Paying attention to your mental health
When trying to recover from physical on-the-job injuries, workers should also pay attention to their mental health. With legal guidance, you may pursue compensation not just for your physical suffering but also for your mental pains so that you can achieve an encompassing recovery.
