Working with depression

According to a recent article in The Australian there is a lot of unease about working with people that suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. And younger people are more likely to hold stigmatising views. Many managers are unaware that anxiety disorders are even more commonplace than depression. These may be an obsessive compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ideally managers need training in how to best respond to mental illness.

Depression is an illness. It’s not as clear as a cold or flu, which hits for a week, two at the most and then dissipates. But it does need to be treated as such. When we get sick with an infection we take a few days off. The best way to recover from sickness is to step away from the things that are preventing you from dealing with it. That usually involves rest and some time off work.

The article shows that there is a lot of awareness about depression and how it impacts work, but this awareness is very different to having the knowledge of how to deal with a depressed employee. Sometimes managers are uncertain as to what constitutes reasonable behaviour when clinical depression is involved. We know that the symptoms include listlessness and a lack of motivation, but the work still needs to be done! You need full commitment and energy from your team! A flat and unmotivated team member can really affect the overall mood of your department or organisation.

About depression and its impact at work

One in five people will suffer from depression at some stage in their lives.
People suffering from depression may take three to four days off work per month.
It can impact people’s work performance, and there’s a greater chance of industrial accidents (safety issue).
Associated problems may also occur such as anxiety and substance abuse.

What is depression – how can one know?

A quick assessment can be decided if one experiences these three symptoms for more than two weeks:

Feeling unhappy, miserable and crying regularly.
Complaining to others about feeling sad or empty.
Lost a sense of interest and enjoyment in your life.

PLUS if you have any four of the following six symptoms:

Appetite or weight changes.
Restlessness or agitated.
Tired all the time and lack of energy.
Difficulty thinking, concentrating and decision-making.
Feeling worthless and guilty.
Feeling like life isn’t worth living.

What can you do if it is you that is depressed?

It is always best to seek professional help – get specific advice for you.
Activities and exercise can be very helpful, and often requires a real effort.
Getting enough sleep and minimising stress is important.
Reducing drug and alcohol intake.

What if someone else is depressed?

Talk to them and find out if they are feeling okay. Point out that you have noticed they seem to be unhappy, quiet or withdrawn. Make sure they are getting professional help if it seems serious. It is not always helpful for a manager to give someone with depression time off work, but in some cases it is exactly what is needed.
Assist people in finding information and be prepared to negotiate a lighter workload.

Take the long-term view

Don’t ever give up on someone with depression. It’s so easy to be caught up in the immediate. If you sense, or know that someone you manage is suffering depression you need to think about the person’s long-term welfare. This is also the long-term welfare of your team. If you think about sacrificing some legs on the ground for the short-term then your employee will feel much better and come back and have a positive impact on the group.

Understanding & Dealing with Depression, is one of the DVDs from the best selling series TAKE AWAY TRAINING in which psychologists Eve Ash and Peter Quarry (www.7dimensions.com.au) provides basic information about depression, its impact on work, symptoms, causes and what to do if you or someone you know suffers from it.