Depression in the workplace

Depression is a common illness. At some point in their life, around 1 in every 5 women and 1 in every 10 men will suffer from depression. At any given time, 1 in every 20 adults is experiencing a serious 'major' depression. A similar number will have a less serious depression. Naturally, problems that are common in the general population are common in people at work. In any one year about 3 in every 10 employees will have a mental health problem, and depression is one of the most common. It is not just distressing for the person involved. It makes them less productive at work and is responsible for high rates of sick-leave, accidents and staff turnover.

What is depression?

If you have not suffered from depression yourself, or do not know anyone who has, it can be difficult to appreciate what it is like. We can all feel fed up, miserable or sad after a distressing personal loss. This may be the death of a partner or relative, the break up of a marriage, or the loss of a job. Sadness like this will usually pass with time. Occasionally it will just drag on, or it may get worse and worse. On the other hand, unhappiness just comes 'out of the blue', for no obvious reason. If depression goes on and on, is severe, or dominates every part of someone's daily life, it should be treated as a medical illness.

Certain symptoms can give a clue that someone is suffering from the kind of depression that will need help.

These may include:

• Sadness which does not change from day to day
• Crying for no apparent reason
• Anxiety, worrying, irritability or tension
• Disturbed sleep
• Reduced appetite and change in weight
• Tiredness, lethargy and lack of motivation
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Forgetfulness and poor concentration
• Thoughts of worthlessness and hopelessness

Effects of depression on work

Someone suffering from depression can start to behave out of character, both at home and at work. Other workers or employers may notice that someone is:

• Working slowly
• Making mistakes more often
• Unable to concentrate
• Forgetful
• Late for work or meetings
• Not turning up
• Getting into disputes and arguments with colleagues
• Unable to delegate tasks
• Working, or trying to work, much too hard

Depression can seriously affect someone's ability to work effectively. It may be so bad that he or she will have to stop work completely for a time. When it is not quite that bad, most people will try to soldier on, painfully aware that they are not doing their job as well as they usually do. If someone's depression can be recognised and helped, they will get back much more quickly to their normal performance at work. Much needless unhappiness and suffering can be avoided.