How Workplace Stress Can Rekindle High School Trauma And Ways to Heal

In the UAE, many professionals report feeling triggered at work by situations that remind them of painful high school memories — harsh feedback, exclusion, or moments of public embarrassment. These moments can spark intense emotions, even when they seem unrelated to current performance. It’s a phenomenon experts call high school trauma at work, and it affects self-esteem, identity, and how people view their capacity to succeed.

Clinical psychologist Diana Maatouk explains that experiences in school like bullying, public humiliation, or consistent criticism often leave deep wounds. For some, those wounds lie dormant until a workplace incident — such as being reprimanded by a manager or feeling left out by colleagues — pulls them back into shame, insecurity, or fear. Because work environments mirror the hierarchical, evaluative structures of school, they can unintentionally reawaken those familiar pains.

Another UAE-based counselor, Rebecca Carter, notes that people who internalised negative school experiences often develop patterns of over-achieving, perfectionism, or avoiding leadership roles. Feedback that is even mildly critical may lead them to relive feelings of failure. The reaction feels disproportionate — less about the task, more about what that feedback triggers emotionally.

Recognising signs of old trauma is the first step toward healing. Experts suggest noticing when reactions are unusually strong or evoke vivid memories. Once aware, reframing the inner narrative becomes essential. One tool is creating a timeline of school experiences to understand recurring patterns. Another is to treat one’s younger self with compassion — acknowledging that the child was doing their best and did not deserve harsh criticism.

Healing also involves gradually exposing oneself to challenging situations: speaking up in meetings, accepting feedback, or risking leadership roles — all while practicing mindful resilience. Over time, this helps reshape emotional responses, reducing the power those old wounds hold.

Therapies like narrative work, somatic practices, and mindfulness are especially helpful. Supportive relationships — friends, mentors, therapists — serve as anchors. When individuals validate their own strengths and step into opportunities instead of hiding, they disrupt the grip of past pain.

Ultimately, acknowledging that high school trauma at work is real, giving voice to one’s feelings, and reframing the story allow for growth. It’s not about erasing what happened, but about reclaiming power over how those experiences define today.