Many of us will deal with issues at work that make us upset or uncomfortable. This is just the reality of being in the workforce in the 21st Century. However, that does not mean that you should accept any discomfort that persists or makes you feel unwell mentally, physically, or emotionally. If this happens continuously and goes unaddressed, there is a possibility that you are struggling with work depression, which then needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
What Is Work Depression and What Causes It?
Work depression can manifest in many different ways. One is the lack of a healthy work/life balance, and perhaps the biggest source is stress.
According to the Indian Journal of Medical Research, “The World Health Organization has outlined key factors related to stress at the workplace and advocated guidelines to redeem them. Some factors that cause increased stress at the workplace include ‘workload (both excessive and insufficient work), lack of participation and control in the workplace, monotonous or unpleasant tasks, role ambiguity or conflict, lack of recognition at work, inequity, poor interpersonal relationships, poor working conditions, poor leadership and communication and conflicting home and work demands.'”
There are also other causes of work depression to be on the lookout for. You may find that you are no longer suited for your job or that it is no longer offering any opportunity for growth. There may be situations in which you are, or feel that you are, being under-compensated for the work that you are doing. It’s possible the work and/or workplace no longer align with your values. If any of these concerns resonate, it may be time to consider looking elsewhere for healthy work; otherwise, you may wind up struggling with some form of work depression.
Signs Your Job is Making You Depressed
Many signs may indicate the presence of work depression. Perhaps the best way to determine if any of them exist in your life is to do a self-assessment and go through a “work-depression checklist.”
The following are just a few of the signs that you may be struggling with work depression:
- The thought of going to work gives you dread or makes you uncomfortable
- You feel like telling your boss that you are unhappy will bring about retaliation and affect your livelihood
- The people you work with don’t listen to or understand you
- You are using substances as a means of coping with issues at work
- Your work/life balance is out of proportion on the “work” side
- You feel like no one at work cares about you or the type of work you provide
- Your appearance and hygiene at work no longer matter to you
- You feel like there is no place else to go if you decide to leave your current job
If any, many, or all of these apply to you there is a good chance that you are struggling with work depression. The good news is there are many effective ways that you can both manage and mitigate your work depression.
What Can I Do About My Work Depression?
One of the best things you can do about your work depression is to tell others how you are feeling. This includes people at home and work. You may be surprised at the support you receive. If you are worried about stigma or retaliation, just know that you cannot be discriminated against due to your mental health status. Specifically, your company’s human resources department can be a good resource. They should be well-equipped to get you the kind of mental health care that you may need. This will often be covered by your employer.
Another very effective action you can take to help with work depression is to take some time off. Many people find that taking even one or two “mental health days” can do wonders to help them better understand what they are experiencing and what they should do about it in the long term.
Another very effective tool that can help with work depression is therapy, and for depression, this may also mean working with a psychiatrist and utilizing medications like antidepressants. The key is to always take the advice of professionals whenever it comes to any mental health medications.
Our Treatment Mission at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we understand that life is too short for you to say, “Working makes me depressed.”
Remember, you should never be defined by your work. Rather, you should work to define who you are and who you want to become in all areas of your life. That is what truly makes life worthwhile.
If you are feeling overwhelmed at work, using alcohol as a coping mechanism, not getting enough sleep, losing a healthy work/life balance, or feeling like no one understands what you are going through, you may be struggling with work depression. The good news is that there are many healthy and effective ways to manage work depression, such as taking a “mental health day,” utilizing holistic practices like yoga, employing breathing exercises, and going to therapy. If you feel like you or a loved one may be struggling with work depression, we can help get you on the right road to recovery. For more information about the signs and symptoms of work depression, contact The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
