Regaining self-confidence after a workplace accident

After a workplace accident (CNESST), your abilities may be diminished, affecting your self-perception and confidence. Such an event can also lead to feelings of injustice, mood deterioration, and fear of movement. Recovery may take longer than expected, further reinforcing the loss of confidence. 

An Occupational Therapist is there to help you manage pain, sleep, stress, and anxiety related to the accident, supporting you in regaining confidence and returning to work with peace of mind. 

Why seek Occupational Therapy for mental health after a workplace accident? 

After an accident, pain can take up a significant space in your life and impact your mental health. A mental health occupational therapist helps you learn to live with this pain and rebuild your confidence before returning to work. Here are some conditions for which occupational therapy for mental health may be relevant:

• Adjustment disorder
• Adjustment disorder with anxious mood
• Adjustment disorder with depressive mood
• Adjustment disorder with mixed anxious and depressive mood
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Before beginning occupational therapy treatment, your condition must be accepted by the CNESST. Your therapists must then communicate with your rehabilitation counselor to obtain a referral as part of your rehabilitation program. 

Understanding the link between mental and physical health 

The Physical and Psychological Vicious Cycle 

1. When chronic pain sets in, it can become difficult to manage and continue daily activities. This can create a physical vicious cycle:
2. Pain increases
3. Movement is avoided
4. Physical condition deteriorates
5. Pain intensifies despite reduced activity 
   
   

1. Feelings of anger, anxiety, or fear 
2. Mood deterioration 
3. Increased perception of pain 

An occupational therapist intervenes to break these vicious cycles and help rebuild self-confidence. 

The relationship between the feeling of injustice, confidence, and energy levels 

The feeling of injustice can lead to a lack of personal accountability, which hinders rehabilitation and may amplify pain. Feeling a sense of injustice consumes a great deal of energy and reduces self-confidence.

Focusing on the positive helps increase energy and confidence, facilitating effective recovery. 

How to rebuild confidence after a workplace accident? 

Occupational therapy plays a key role in both physical and mental health by helping individuals regain their abilities and autonomy. The initial evaluation includes:

• A semi-structured interview
• Psychometric questionnaires
• Observations 

After this assessment, the occupational therapist provides tools and exercises tailored to strengthen self-confidence and promote a gradual return to work. 

Structure of an Occupational Therapy session 

1. Review of learnings – The occupational therapist reviews insights from the previous session and evaluates progress on set goals.
2. Discussion on upcoming challenges – The occupational therapist identifies obstacles and suggests appropriate solutions for gradual improvement.
3. Goal Setting – Objectives are defined in collaboration with the patient to ensure realistic and effective progress. 

Topics Covered in Occupational Therapy 

• Pain and energy management 
• Stress and anxiety management 
• Occupational schedule organization 
• Sleep management 
• Planning and gradual exposure to activities 
• Cognitive reframing and problem-solving 
• Exposure to anxiety-inducing situations 
• Discussion on return-to-work challenges
  
  

Support for returning to work 

The occupational therapist supports the worker throughout the return-to-work process. During this period, they intervene to:

• Identify and overcome challenges
• Gradually adjust work tasks
• Provide personalized support

The occupational therapist may also visit the workplace to assess the environment and suggest adaptations to prevent recurrences and ensure a safe return. Call us today at 1 855 743-9872 to learn more.

Article written by Virginie Dufort, Occupational Therapist and First-Line Program Manager.