Depression And Work Related Stress

It provides us with an occasion to socialise, gives us a sense of achievement and forms most part of our routine. However, neglected but acute depressive illnesses can considerably affect one’s ability to perform at work. This is why Workplace Depression has become an area of increasing concern these days. It not only affects the way we think about ourselves but also how we interact with the world around us. More than everything else, stress has a direct impact on one’s productivity and income.

Workplace depression is not, however, linked to poor working conditions, but difficulties at home, relationship crisis or any unpleasant events combined with the bad working environment can contribute to a person’s depressed mood, hence ultimately affecting their performance at work. Following are some of the symptoms that start showing up in a person suffering from depression:

• Anxiety, boredom during work
• Tiredness and lethargy, doing anything feels like an effort
• Trouble in getting proper sleep or oversleeping
• Waking up during the night or waking up too early in the morning
• Becoming forgetful, not being able to take decisions
• Losing interest in eating, working etc.
• Reduced self-worth, low self-esteem
• Becoming suicidal (in critical cases)
• Difficulty in managing work life balance

It is not necessary that a person who is depressed will feel depressed. If any four or more of the above symptoms are seen in a person, professional medical advice must be taken.
Fortunately, workplace depression can be healed. Someone who is depressed at work can be helped and can again lead a normal healthy life. Following steps can be taken by the employers and employees to make sure that these mental illnesses stay away from their organisation:
Employers :

1. Educate your employees about depression, its causes, symptoms and cure so that they can recognise it early and begin taking help. Make them aware of corporate wellness programs.
2. Get help for those who are suffering from it. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), employee counselling or just being available for them to talk can help.
3. Create pleasant working environment; have plants in the work area, provide personalised workspace, have full spectrum light bulbs; these Ecotherapy techniques tend to work.

As the employer, it’s not your job to diagnose depression but it’s your responsibility to identify problems that interfere with work.

Employees:

1. Understand that work and stress are temporary. Deadlines are temporary. This will make you feel less depressed and stressed about the future.
2. Drop the coffee intake. It has been well researched that too much of coffee will make you anxious and depressed. Rather, drink more water. It clears out the toxins & impurities in your body.
3. Find a friend, preferably at work, who can support you in this difficult time. Share your feelings with him/her.
4. Take time to meditate and get your mind clear of everything for some moments. Science has shown that meditation has better effects on depression as compared to antidepressants.
5. Smile. It has been proven that smiling triggers a chemical reaction In the body which makes you feel happier even if you don’t have anything to be happy about.