Most people in the workforce experience work depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 17 million American adults each year report experiencing work depression.
It is the anxiety, boredom, difficulty concentrating, loss of motivation, sadness, and unexplained bouts of crying that are common in working adults.
Additionally, the State of Mental Health data in America 2021 survey shows that people seeking help for depression have increased from 2019 to 2020. Around eight out of ten people are found to have moderate to severe type of depression.
Considering the number of time workers spend on their jobs, this data is not surprising. Here are the factors that trigger work depression, its symptoms, and coping with it.
Causes and Symptoms of Work Depression
Dr. Rashmi Parmar, MD, a psychiatrist at Community Psychiatry, said that any workplace or job could be a potential cause for depression, but it depends on the level of work stress and support available.
According to Healthline, there are several reasons why a person experiences an increase in depressive symptoms at work. But it should be noted that no two people or experiences are exactly the same. However, some common themes emerge when identifying the triggers of depression at work.
These could be feeling not in control of work issues, having the feeling that their job is in jeopardy, working in a toxic environment, being overworked and underpaid, being harassed or discriminated in the workplace, working irregular hours, lack of balance between work and home, unmatched personal values with the work, doing a job that does not promote career growth, and unsafe or poor working conditions.
While a job does not directly cause depression, the work[place environment could worsen its symptoms. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a negative environment could lead to absenteeism, increased substance use, mental and physical health concerns, and lost productivity.
Dealing With Work Depression
Experiencing depression at work is not remarkable as it affects a person's job. It is not as simple as work stress that goes away after the stressor has been removed. Work depression is more than that.
So how does someone deal with depression at work?
According to Monster.com, a global employment website, if an employee starts experiencing depression at work, it is recommended for that person to talk to a professional. Some companies have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that addresses the mental health issues of employees.
But if it is unavailable in the company, the employee may seek professional help from a private capacity. They could talk to a psychiatrist or a psychologist about their depression at work.
Moreover, the website also recommends talking to your boss or direct supervisor as they directly impact an employee's work than human resources. Only talk to HR if the conversation between the boss does not yield any results.
Lastly, create coping mechanisms by talking to a professional. They can help the employee develop coping mechanisms specific to their symptoms, like regulating breathing or taking short breaks.
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