Do you go to work half-heartedly because stress and depression in the workplace dampen your spirits? Do you also desperately wait for the weekends because you don’t like going to work due to incessant gloomy feelings? If you feel miserable when working, you’re not the only one who is stuck in this vortex.
Bureau of Labor Statistics states that full-time employees spend an average of 8.5 hours per day working on weekdays and 5.5 hours working on weekends and holidays. This data makes it crystal clear why many individuals experience symptoms of depression while they are at their workplace.
What is Stress and Depression in The Workplace?
Even though a job may not be the sole reason behind depression but the environment may deteriorate symptoms for people who already suffering from depression. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that any workplace or job can be a possible reason or a contributing factor for depression. It generally depends on the level of stress and support available at the workplace.
According to the World Health Organization aka (WHO), a negative working environment can give rise to issues that are mentioned below:
· mental and physical health disorders
· nonattendance
· lost productivity
· increased risk of substance use
What are the common symptoms of work depression?
The signs of depression at work are almost similar to general depressive symptoms. There is no denying the fact that depression will impact your level of functioning at your job and home. Some of the more common signs of work depression are cited below:
· elevated anxiety levels, particularly when trying to handle traumatic situations or thinking about work even when you’re not present at the office
· boredom and loss of satisfaction about your job
· low energy and lack of motivation to accomplish tasks
· constant or lengthy feelings of blues or low mood.
· loss of interest in tasks at work, especially duties that you previously found interesting and fulfilling
· constant feelings of bleakness, weakness, triviality, or overpowering guilt
· unable to focus or pay heed to work tasks and struggle with problems when it comes to retaining or remembering things, particularly new information
· committing excessive mistakes in daily work tasks
· an increase or decrease in weight or appetite
· physical health issues such as headaches, exhaustion, and upset stomach
· elevate absenteeism or arriving late at the workplace and leaving early
· increased inability to make decisions
· substance abuse
· suddenly crying at work
· lack of confidence while doing any task
· feeling of self-harm and suicide
· dragging yourself to work every day
Get Professional Assistance:
Stress and Depression In The Workplace generally make employees seek help. Still, many employees with depression get hesitant when it comes to seeking professional aid because they’re scared that it will affect their work or their privacy is at risk.
Feel free to ask your employer if they can provide any mental health resources to help you. It’s necessary to seek out help as soon as possible before it goes beyond any repair.
