The relationship between depression and work is regularly debated. On the one hand, an unsatisfactory professional life may lead to a deterioration of well-being, and, on the other hand, depression often makes it impossible to work. How to deal with the problem?
You spend a large part of our lives at work, often the necessity to fulfill your duties makes you forget about yourself, give up your plans, postpone everything for later. Professional activity can tire, lead to frustration and dissatisfaction. In addition, there is often a lack of satisfaction with the salary received or a feeling of being underestimated.
As it is easy to deduce, this state of affairs has a strong impact on physical and mental health. Until recently, depression was a taboo subject, and people suffering from it hid their problem from the world.
Find help for addiction in Cornerstone of Southern California treatment center
Today we know and we are not afraid to speak about it. Moreover, we are starting to accept the existence of the so-called occupational burnout. Many people experience the feeling of a vicious circle – unsatisfactory work means reluctance and bad mood, and they result in worse fulfillment of duties, unproductivity, ineffectiveness in action. Depression and work is a complex topic and, despite growing understanding, still controversial. It is worth changing this.
Depression at work – an employer’s problem?
The conducted research shows that depression very often affects young people (aged 20–40). It is a group of significant importance for the national economy, because it is these people who are responsible for generating the gross domestic product. As a result of depression, their productivity is significantly reduced – it has been estimated that even by 20%.
It is possible to calculate losses for the Polish economy. An increasing number of people suffering from depression take sick leave, which in turn means high costs for the National Health Fund and the Social Insurance Institution. Experts conducting the study present the figures, indicating that depression was in the top 10 spending on disability benefits. The scary thing is that we are talking about young people who are just starting their professional career or should be at its peak.
Treatment of depression is possible
For several years, experts in the field of psychiatry have been trying to convince that depression is a disease. At the same time, they explain that it can be successfully treated. The help of a specialist – psychologist and psychiatrist is often necessary.
Psychotherapy brings very good results, but pharmacological treatment is often necessary. It is worth convincing that emerging symptoms of depression should be consulted with an expert as soon as possible. Most of people suffering from discomfort regain health and full professional activity. It is possible to recover from depression, and work will be one of the ways to regain the will to live.
Find treatment in Costa Mesa, CA
The efficiency of such people increases, they are successful in the professional field. Depression does not mean the end of your career – it can be a temporary break in achieving your goals.
It is worth using the support of a psychotherapist – during the sessions the issues of coping with stress, assertiveness and experiencing emotions are discussed. It is also extremely important to support the environment, understand loved ones, and be able to share feelings and thoughts with them. Remember that sometimes just talking helps.
How do you recognize depression?
The symptoms of depression are so diverse that everyone with depression may feel completely different. Some develop anxiety or reluctance to go to work, others it will be constant apathy, weariness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating. These people often do not find motivation to perform their work, they have problems with completing even the simplest tasks, completing them on time.
Moreover, they often isolate themselves from co-workers, avoiding direct contact. Mood disorders are characteristic. What used to be enjoyable may no longer arouse interest, and a trivial problem is the cause of an outburst of anger or crying.
The first symptoms of depression can be very subtle, they can resemble normal fatigue, overload with duties. It sometimes happens that such a chronic lack of energy is a symptom of developing depression.
Long-term stress and occupational burnout often lead to the development of depression. Ultimately, the depressive state makes everyday functioning difficult, weakens the motivation to work, disturbs interpersonal relationships, and leads to loneliness. In the worst case, thoughts of suicide may occur.