Chronic Workplace Interpersonal Trauma with Acute Psychological Manifestations: A Case Report Integrating Clinical Models and AI-Assisted Structured Reflective Digital Support

Introduction: Chronic interpersonal abuse in workplace settings may generate trauma-spectrum symptoms that present in acute or crisis contexts. However, such cases are often described using lay terminology and may remain under-recognized in emergency and trauma medicine. This report examines a case of chronic workplace interpersonal trauma conceptualized within trauma-informed frameworks of coercive control and prolonged relational stress. Methods: This single-patient case study describes the clinical course of an individual exposed to a workplace relational dynamic commonly described in lay discourse as “narcissistic abuse.” Symptoms developed following relational destabilization characterized by emotional withdrawal, unpredictability, and perceived psychological manipulation. Treatment consisted of trauma-focused psychotherapy integrating cognitive-behavioral strategies, psychoeducation, boundary work, and cognitive restructuring. A structured digital reflective tool was used as an adjunct between sessions to support narrative processing and reflective engagement under clinical supervision. Results: The participant presented with clinically significant symptoms including intrusive recollections, nightmares, avoidance, hyperarousal, affective dysregulation, and functional impairment. Standardized self-report measures indicated severe trauma-related distress. Following occupational disengagement, relocation, and sustained implementation of a no-contact strategy, six-month follow-up demonstrated substantial reduction in self-reported distress and progressive stabilization of psychological functioning. Discussion: This case illustrates how chronic interpersonal workplace stressors may produce trauma-spectrum symptomatology resembling post-traumatic stress presentations. It also suggests that structured reflective tools may serve as supportive adjuncts within psychotherapy, although causal effects cannot be inferred in a single-case design. Conclusion: Chronic workplace interpersonal trauma may present with significant psychological symptoms in emergency and trauma contexts without explicit disclosure of relational abuse. Early recognition of trauma-related processes may support differential diagnosis and appropriate referral pathways. Conceptualizing survivor-described experiences within empirically grounded trauma frameworks may improve clinical recognition while avoiding premature diagnostic labeling of third parties.