Medical Whistleblower Advocacy Network

"We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted."

-Barbara Jordan

Whistleblower Retaliation is a form of abuse or assault (psychological violence),which has serious and devastating consequences not only for those targeted, but also for any organization within which it is allowed to prevail.  Although it can be an overt form of abuse, in the workplace the perpetrators usually act covertly and systematically to undermine, control, and (if they deem it necessary) to "see off" their targets.  It has been observed that elements of psychological abuse in the workplace correspond with elements of torture and have similar emotional outcomes for the target.  The perpetrators are often superficially charming and may appear to others to be an asset to the organization.  In the workplace, the underlying cause of retaliation or bullying is usually power abuse, with the perpetrators choosing as their targets anyone whom they perceive as a threat to their assumed power. When those targeted resist the perpetrators' attempts to control and intimidate them, the perpetrators will simply intensify the abuse until the targets either leave or break down under the stress of what is happening.  Anyone may be a Whistleblower if they attempt to tell truth to power about a situation of medical fraud, abuse or neglect (nurse, pharmacist, doctor, veterinarian, researcher, government worker, attorney, police officer, therapist, patent officer, nurses aide or CPA).

Integration of Traumatic Memory

“Normal Memory, like all psychological phenomena, is an action, essentially it is the action of telling a story….A situation has not been satisfactorily liquidated…. Until we have achieved, not merely an outward reaction through our movements, but also an inward reaction, through the words we address to ourselves, through the organization of the recital of the event to others and to ourselves, and through putting of this recital in its place as one of the chapters in our personal history.”   

Pierre Janet, Psychological  Healing, 1919

  Worry Free Rest Needed

Medical Whistleblowers are usually workers who have attained professional competence in their field.  Medical Whistleblowers have access to information at a high enough level to be able to detect medical fraud, abuse and neglect but also brave enough to alert others to the problem.  Because they often are in the healing profession, Medical Whistleblowers often provided comfort to others and were the strength that others rely on.  Most Medical Whistleblower’s are originally of a very strong constitution.  They are usually self confident adults who have good self esteem and were fully capable of handling difficulties in their own lives.  Therefore Medical Whistleblowers have many coping mechanisms to hide the emotional damage the retaliation has caused them and just try harder.  But under extreme or prolonged stress even very emotionally strong people often undergo an apparent personality change.  It is inappropriate and even dangerous to make long term assumptions about a person by observing their reactions under stress.  It is also important to remember that there needs to be intervention from outside to protect the whistleblower and prevent further retaliatory abuse.

“Public forgiveness and private vengeance suffer from the same vice;  They depreciate the victim.  Respect for those who suffer requires that no one usurp the victim’s exclusive right to forgive his oppressor.  Similarly, it requires that the duty to punish be assumed by everyone other than the victim.  That is what is meant by the rule of law.”   

Aryeh Neier, 1981

Retraumatization

Psychological violence can eventually lead to Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which is a normal reaction to abnormal circumstances.  PTSD is not usually an indication of long term or underlying problems in those who suffer from it.  Whistleblowers who are being bullied should be encouraged to seek support sooner, rather than later, and should be able to do so with the assurance that they will be believed and effectively supported,  rather than be treated as if they themselves were the problem.  These competent whistleblowers under the effects of workplace bullying and  whistleblower retaliation may become unassertive, overanxious, compliant and even unable to cope with even the most trivial of stressors.  The symptoms of stress breakdown and PTSD are frequently misunderstood (by family, friends, co-workers and employers) as those of inadequacy or inefficiency.  There is a danger that stressed and/or bullied Whistleblower could find themselves facing disciplinary proceedings when what they really need is rest and support.  Some typical human reactions to severe and persistent stress are the loss of emotional control, apparent over-reactions to seemingly trivial stimuli, showing hypervigilance, and being on constant alert for further abuse.  Being targeted for Whistleblower Retaliation almost always leads to feelings of powerlessness in those targeted.  Those who are being retaliated against usually feel ashamed of what is happening to them, and by the time they seek help are likely to be already showing signs of stress breakdown.  At the point these competent Whistleblowers finally admit they need help, they are likely to present as over -emotional.  In these circumstances it is all too easy believe the person's account of workplace psychological violence or bullying as over-reacting when in fact the symptoms of emotional stress should be recognized as actually corroborating what they are saying.

Secondary Traumatization

The persons whose misdeeds the Whistleblower is reporting, often retaliate by fabricating complaints against the Whistleblower.  These fabricated complaints do not need to even have the appearance of truth in order for the bully to be protected by the Good Samaritan Laws and their false allegations protected by governmental immunity under Peer Review standards.  People may also disbelieve the Whistleblower, and side instead with those in power or authority.  Coworkers may ridicule him/her, abandon, blame, ostracize, sabotage, threaten, and betray him/her.  These painful and dangerous reactions can come from family, friends, and authorities as well as from people associated with the  perpetrator.  Co-workers may fault the Whistleblower for the hostility in the workplace.  The Whistleblower may be unable to recover until they leave the stressful position, but may be unable to find a new position until they have recovered.  Employers, therefore, need to be aware of the potential for compounding the problems of stressed/bullied Whistleblowers by unjustly disciplining them.  Where the stress has been caused by workplace bullying,  it also allows the perpetrators to switch the focus of attention away from their own abusive behavior by inferring, (usually under the guise of sympathy and support), that the person they are targeting is mentally ill, andthat it is their "mental illness" which is responsible for the current problems.  Whistleblowers need ongoing reassurance that they are not to blame forwhat has happened. Referring stressed people for work-based counseling helps perpetuate the myth that it is the person who is the problem, rather than the working environment.  It is important that employers and service providers take stress reaction seriously and remove the Whistleblower from the stress before the damage becomes more serious or permanent.  Medical professionals, who are generally highly committed people, are particularly likely to ignore their own symptoms and struggle on,  since seeking help is too often regarded as an admissionof weakness or professional inadequacy.  It is crucially important that those providing help andsupport to the Medical Whistleblower, do not mimic the effects of the trauma and inadvertently cause secondary trauma to the victim of retaliation.  If the support offered is too directive and/or controlling, however well-intentioned, there is a danger that itwill be perceived as replicating the whistleblower retaliation or bullying, so reinforcing feelings of powerlessness and causing further stress and distress.   Do not put stressed/bullied whistleblowerback into the same stressful/bullying situation and expect them to "prove" themselves.   Long term solutions require the full involvement of the stressed person, but should wait until he/she is first rested and reassured.