TMS Baltimore Experts Offer Advice on Coping with Depression at Work
People spend the majority of their time at work. However, dealing with tight deadlines, difficult teammates, and constant pressure can put a strain on your mental health. If you are struggling with depression while also attempting to keep up with the demands of your job, know that you are not alone. There are numerous methods you can employ to help you deal with it. In our latest article, TMS Baltimore experts, the Psych Associates of Maryland, offer advice on coping with depression at work.
Depression is a complicated mental health disorder that can affect people in different ways. If you have started to experience these symptoms, you may be suffering from depression.
For some people with depression, the act of getting out of bed is incredibly difficult. As a result, they may begin to call in sick or attempt to find excuses to get out of work. This is not done out of laziness, but rather as a result of suffering through a difficult mental health problem. In fact, 57% of workplace absences are due to poor mental health.
Unfortunately, co-workers and supervisors may misinterpret these actions and assume the employee is simply being lazy and unmotivated.
Many patients with depression find it difficult to keep their mind focused on work. Maybe they feel that their mind is stuck in a constant haze, or they are simply unable to focus on the work they have at hand. Fatigue and lack of sleep can end up worsening this symptom. This can cause problems down the road with their colleagues and supervisors.
The inability to concentrate on work often makes it difficult to meet deadlines for projects. People who struggle with depression may also attempt to avoid phone calls or meetings. As a result, it becomes almost impossible for them to meet professional and personal goals. Unfortunately, this can end up worsening one’s depression.
Sometimes, your own work might actually be the source of your depression. Employees who are stuck with an abusive boss or a toxic workplace are at a high risk of developing depression. Harassment, bullying, abuse, and discrimination, for example, can make someone feel unsafe and unwelcome.
People with depression may also suffer from a lack of physical or emotional energy. This constant fatigue can negatively affect their ability to remain productive and finish projects on time.
If you find that you have started experiencing the aforementioned symptoms, you may be suffering from depression. Sometimes, work can be the cause of our depression. Other times, it can worsen it.
Here are some common causes of workplace depression according to TMS Baltimore experts:
While managing your depression is not always easy, there are numerous self-care practices you can follow and actions you can take to better cope with it.
One of the first steps you can take toward treating your depression is learning to acknowledge it. Everyone suffers from a bad day at work once in a while, however, depression can hinder your ability to interact with your co-workers, work effectively, and even go into work at all.
You can also reach out to a trusted colleague or supervisor for assistance if you are comfortable enough to do so. They may be able to help put your problems into perspective while also working toward improving the workplace culture you are stuck in. Some employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides free, short-term counseling, and professional referrals. Participation in this program is kept confidential.
The first step toward treating your depression is to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. From there, they can recommend professional mental health counselors near you.
Your counselor may start off with talk therapy, which involves finding thoughts or patterns of behavior that worsen your depression and learning effective exercises for reducing your stress and anxiety. They may also teach you some new lifestyle changes that can alleviate your depression.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, know that there is help out there. For more information, contact TMS Baltimore expert, the Psych Associates of Maryland, today.
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Psych Associates of Maryland provides comprehensive psychiatric services by a group of competent, independent practitioners. We diagnose and treat children, adolescents, adults, and the geriatric population.
