Workplace depression: symptoms, causes and treatment

Does the concept of work depression sound familiar to you? It is likely that, intuitively, if you hear this concept you think of sick leave due to depression or problems at work. And you are not on the wrong track: work depression is the term we use to refer to the mood disorder, depression, caused by difficulties or problems at work.

And, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), work is beneficial for mental health, but when this causes us unhappiness and suffering, work depression can appear. According to the WHO itself, some of the risks to mental health at work are the following:

Inadequate safety and health protection policies.Low level of employee support.Rigid work schedules.Lack of clarity in organizational areas or objectives.Inefficient management and communication practices.Little worker decision-making power or lack of control of your work area.

However, they are not the only causes. Do you want to know more about them? As well as symptoms of this disorder, and possible treatments to combat it? Well, keep reading!

Work depression: what does it consist of?

Work depression is one of the main causes of taking sick leave at work. It is, in fact, a depressive disorder, but in this case caused by work.

The reality is that we spend a large part of our lives at work, and therefore, when it does not satisfy us, generates excessive pressure and stress, or causes us discomfort, we can develop work depression.

Symptoms

Workplace depression is depression that appears as a consequence of work. Specifically, it appears when it interferes negatively in our life. An effect that can have its origin in a large number of causes: excessive pressure, situations of bullyingdemotivation, feeling badly treated, etc.

The symptoms that may appear in a person suffering from work depression would be the same (or similar) to those that appear in depression. Some of the most notable, according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of disorders mental), are the following:

Mood symptoms: sadness, dejection, unhappiness, irritability…Motivational and behavioral: inhibition, apathy, anhedonia, lack of motivation, agitation… Cognitive: altered performance and formal deficits in attention, memory, mental speed…Physicists: sleep problems, fatigue, increased or decreased appetite, decreased sexual desire… Interpersonal: deterioration of social relationships, decreased interest in people, feeling of rejection, etc.

All of these symptoms would negatively affect the person’s life and many of them would be directly related to work. That is, the patient could have nightmares related to work, for example, or have difficulty sleeping thinking about the worries that work generates, etc.

Causes of work depression

As for the causes of this disorder, as we said, these are based on work. The most common are the following:

Communication problems and conflicts with colleagues and superiors. Excessive responsibilities and not in accordance with the salary.general dissatisfaction, not feeling valued (as a professional) or compensated financially.Having experienced a traumatic or especially stressful situation, whether punctually or continuously over time (for example, suffering bullying).Suffer excessive stress at work. Presenting significant demotivation with work. Being immersed in a highly toxic work environment, or having the feeling that you do not have control of anything.Continuous frustration at not achieving goals or desired results. Experiencing a situation of abuse (for example, a teacher by his students).

When you suffer from one or more of these situations and, furthermore, continuously over time, work depression may appear. While it is true that each person is affected in one way or another by the situations they experience, whether inside or outside of work, there are people who may be more likely to develop this disorder and, as a consequence, request sick leave (although It is not always requested or granted).

Treatment

Intervention against occupational depression should follow the line of treatments for depressive disorder. Furthermore, it is essential to take into account the contextual, causal and maintaining factors of the disorder in the person, knowing that these have a lot to do with the person’s work. To articulate this pillar, A good differential diagnosis should be made and not confuse the syndrome burnout with depressionamong others.

In this sense, it will be of special relevance to treat the symptoms derived from one’s own experience in the workplace, taking into account the physical and psychological symptoms that work depression causes.

According to Guide to effective psychological treatments de Pérez et al. (2010), the treatments considered well established (effective) for depressive disorder are four: behavioral therapy (including various modalities), cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy and pharmacotherapy. As for less proven therapies, but with hopeful results, we find: psychodynamic psychotherapy and systemic therapy.

Techniques and procedures used

Regarding behavioral therapy, this usually includes scheduling pleasant activities for the patient, training in social skills, problem solving and time management, among other techniques. In relation to cognitive therapy, a lot of work is done with the patient’s cognitive distortions, as well as with his negative thoughts, especially through cognitive restructuring.

On the other hand, Interpersonal therapy seeks to promote the quality of social relationships of the patient, as well as the social support received, among other objectives. Finally, regarding pharmacotherapy, antidepressant drugs and anxiolytic drugs are especially used.

Final reflection

Anxiety and depression at work are two of the most frequent causes that lead a person to request sick leave.. This is suggested by the WHO, which places them as the main causes of sick leave in Spain in 2020. As we have seen, work depression is a serious but treatable disorder; Thus, it can (and should) be treated with the appropriate professionals and with a treatment adapted to the needs and characteristics of the patient.

In addition, it is important to avoid feelings of guilt for requesting time off work for this reason and fight against stigmatization and all prejudices associated with mental health. Isn’t it true that no one says anything to us for asking for leave if we have broken a leg? Why should they question us for asking for it for depression?

Finally, maintain a vital balance, as well as listening to how we feel at all times and correctly identifying our needs, It will help us seek help, feel better and prevent these types of disorders.

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