How Workplace Accommodations for Depression and Anxiety Can Improve Mental Health at Work

Introduction

You've probably experienced depression at some point in your life. You feel sad, have no desire to do anything, lack motivation, and feel like no one supports you; you are not alone. Millions of people around the world suffer from depression, which is one of the most common mental health problems.

There are various reasons why someone may become depressed, but factors such as the work environment influence its onset. Although work doesn't cause depression, a toxic work environment and feeling stuck at work can contribute to the worsening of this mental illness.

People need to understand how the workplace can influence the onset and development of work-related depression. In this article, you'll learn what work-related depression is, its symptoms, why it's different from work-related stress, and how to address it.

What is workplace depression?

Depression is a mental illness characterized by chronic sadness and a sense of hopelessness. Those with depression lose the desire to engage in activities they once enjoyed and have difficulty performing their duties at work.

Work is a place that can influence the mental health of its employees. The type of environment, workload, and motivation people have at work can increase stress levels, reaching a point where depression manifests.

Depression in the workplace can be defined as a set of depressive symptoms that affect people in their workplaces. If you suffer from work-related depression, your productivity may decrease, as you will have little desire or energy to perform your job. You may feel dissatisfied, overwhelmed, and constantly absent.

When depression goes untreated, not only do employees suffer its consequences, but also the companies they work for. Depression is one of the leading causes of work disability, affecting production and growth due to unproductivity. A study by Beck et al. (2011), which sought to evaluate the relationship between the severity of depressive symptoms and loss of productivity, found that minor symptoms of depression are associated with loss of productivity.

Symptoms of Workplace Depression

The symptoms of work-related depression are similar to those of someone with a depressive disorder. The symptoms are:

Concentration Problems

Depression at work can affect your ability to concentrate. You have trouble remembering what is asked of you and constantly make mistakes in tasks you are good at. Physically, you are at work, but mentally, you are not.

Tiredness

Most of the time, you feel tired and have little energy to do your job. At lunchtime, you may try to take a nap, but it's not enough. People with depression experience sleep disturbances, which prevent them from getting adequate rest. They may not sleep well at night, making them feel tired and have little energy during the day.

Lack of Motivation

You feel discouraged about going to work, find no enjoyment in your work, and have feelings of apathy. Nothing at work sparks your interest, nothing stimulates you, and you don't respond assertively when people try to communicate something to you at work. Your work performance declines because you feel unmotivated to do your job.

Chronic Sadness

You experience a deep sense of sadness most of the time. You're almost always down in the dumps, nothing makes you feel happy, and even if other people try to cheer you up, you remain the same. Sometimes you cry and feel empty, with a sense of hopelessness and extreme anxiety.

Physical Symptoms

Those who suffer from depression may experience changes in their weight. You may overeat, leading to weight gain, or undereat, leading to weight loss. Constant headaches, stomach problems, and muscle aches may occur.

Causes of Depression

There are different reasons why people develop depression. Among the most common are:

Traumatic and Stressful Events

If you have experienced physical or sexual abuse, the death of a loved one, or witnessed or been in an accident, you may be more likely to develop depression. Stressful events such as starting a new job, or experiencing difficult situations at work, financial problems, or problems with your family and partner, also influence its onset.

Genetic Factors

A history of close relatives (such as parents) who have had depression or another mental illness influences the development of depression. This does not mean that a person who had a mother or father with depression will develop the illness, but there is a greater likelihood.

Brain Chemistry

Another cause of depression may be an imbalance in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Serotonin is known as the happiness hormone, and when its levels increase, people can feel well-being and satisfaction. 

Dopamine is the pleasure hormone, and when released, it makes people feel pleasure. Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, when released, helps people cope with stressful situations. When these hormones are not released, they can play a role in the onset of depression.

Suffering from a chronic illness

Suffering from a chronic illness such as cancer, diabetes, or arthritis can lead to the onset of depression. Constant pain, routines, and medical supervision, and feeling that there is no improvement over time can lead people with a chronic illness to feel hopeless and sad, which can become chronic and lead to depression.

Other factors, such as living alone, being older, experiencing rejection from others, and using medications and substances, also influence a person's development of depression.

Risk Factors for Workplace Depression

Several factors influence workplace depression. One study found that a risk factor for depression is job strain. Job strain is the combination of high job demands and little control at work. Some ways in which job strain manifests are:

• Fear of being fired due to constant threats from bosses.

• Supervisors setting unrealistic expectations for employees when it comes to doing their jobs.

• Feeling alienated from the work culture.

• Waking up much earlier to get to work due to the distance.

• Having a heavy workload where employees feel they won't be able to complete everything on time.

• A toxic work environment, where employees experience harassment and mistreatment from their superiors and other coworkers.

• Low wages, where employees feel they aren't receiving enough for all the work they do.

• Job strain is also known as occupational stress. It's normal for people to experience stress throughout their lives, but when it remains at high levels for long periods, there's a greater likelihood of developing depression.

How to Treat Workplace Depression? Understanding Therapy and Workplace Accommodations for Depression and Anxiety

Workplace depression should be treated like any other mental illness. Psychological and pharmacological therapy are the most effective treatments for depression. People with depression should consult a mental health professional to receive the necessary treatment.

Aside from treatment from a mental health professional, here are some steps you can take to improve your mental health. Many companies also offer workplace accommodations for depression and anxiety, which can help employees manage their condition while staying productive.

• Talk to your superiors and colleagues about how you feel: Don't be afraid to let others know about your situation; be honest and share how certain things at work have been affecting your mental health. When you talk, you're opening yourself up to the support that others in the company can offer. They can listen, encourage, and encourage you to see a psychologist.

• Take time off from work: Sometimes, taking time off work is necessary, which in this case would be sick leave for work-related depression. You need time to work on your mental well-being, so some time away from your workplace can be helpful. During this time, don't think about work, try to resume activities you once enjoyed, and see a therapist.

• Create a balance between your personal and work life: Don't take work home; use weekends and days off to rest properly, spend time with family and friends, and do activities that bring you well-being. When you don't take time for yourself, you can suffer from high levels of stress that could lead to depression in the long term. Sometimes emergencies arise at work, and you have to do some things from home, but don't sacrifice your time, as it can negatively impact your health.

• During your workday, make time to stretch and breathe: Take short 5-minute breaks to stretch your body and breathe. It will help you control yourself if you're feeling very stressed.

Final Words

Depression is a disorder that can affect anyone under any circumstances, so you should pay attention to how the situations in your daily life affect your emotional well-being. The situations you experience in the workplace can be a factor in developing depression. Symptoms such as working in a toxic environment, having an excessive workload, and feeling unfairly rewarded are some signs. 

Mental health at work is important. If you feel like your job makes you sad most of the time, you feel unmotivated, and you have trouble concentrating, you are likely experiencing symptoms of depression. “If workplace depression is affecting your life, remember you don’t have to face it alone. I offer online therapy sessions in English and Spanish to help you manage depression and improve your well-being.