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How To Cope With Depression At Work
Be easy on yourself
You're not alone – and once you start talking about this condition, you'll find that there are more people who are sympathetic to you than those who are critical.
While you're being proactive about treatment, take it one day at a time and be very gentle with yourself.
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Recognize the signs
- You're tired all the time.
- Cooperating with colleagues takes an enormous effort.
- You keep your office door shut and interact with your computer.
- It's hard to concentrate and impossible to summon up a positive attitude.
- Your productivity is down the drain.
- Deadlines don't motivate you.
- You're calling in sick or you're burying yourself in tasks to avoid your emotions.
Take a mental health break
It's hard when you can't function as well as you're used to, but slogging on doesn't work when you're in a downward spiral.
When you're at a crossroads in terms of your mental health, you need to really say, 'OK, I'm going to ask for five days off. That might mean the difference between me not having a mental health breakdown, or needing to take additional time off.
Find treatment
"To stay with it and maintain an independent and productive life -- it's important to identify it, get the appropriate treatment and then stick with that treatment."
Workplace insurance
With chronic conditions -- like depression -- you have workplace protections against discrimination.
Many workplaces have employee assistance programs that include confidential mental health services. Also, look into your health insurance coverage for treatment including counseling and medication.
Telling your boss
Before you disclose your diagnosis, it helps to assess your relationship with your boss and to determine how much information you feel comfortable sharing.
Take care of your body
- Get enough sleep at night.
- Nourish yourself properly – even when it's difficult to put food in your mouth.
- Take a walk when you can; a light jog or run can churn up endorphins to ease some depression symptoms.
- Meditation helps some people with depression or stress.
Office parties
Withdrawal is a symptom of depression, not a solution. Work-social gatherings meant to be fun can feel more like torture.
You might be able to manage five minutes, maybe catch up on a work discussion with a colleague in a quiet corner, then leave. If you've shared your struggle with an office buddy or two, they can help by hanging out with you away from the action.
Tap into peer support
If you're not dealing with depression but want to be more attuned to your colleagues, step away from the computer every so often.
Just walk the hall, poke your head in a few offices and say hello... It never does more harm than good to ask how somebody's doing: 'You seem a little low today; is everything OK?'
Reach out to loved ones
Depression can run in families, and some of your relatives may have already been there themselves. They may be further along in managing their condition and can give you pointers on how to get through the day.
Anticipate job triggers
As you get a handle on depression, you develop your personal tool kit to manage it.
Sometimes you can anticipate depression triggers and prepare in advance.
Know when to seek help
Even people who are in treatment and have learned how to cope can still return to an acute phase of depression that leaves them totally withdrawn.
Whether they're mostly relying on medications or counseling, they may need a"therapeutic reset."
Be easy on yourself
You're not alone – and once you start talking about this condition, you'll find that there are more people who are sympathetic to you than those who are critical.
While you're being proactive about treatment, take it one day at a time and be very gentle with yourself.
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Get Help
Working with a therapist or support group is the best way to help you cope with your symptoms, which in turn will help you better manage your professional life.
Find Support
It’s key to find trusted friends or family who can support you through this difficult time.
Participating in a depression and anxiety therapy group is a great way to learn coping strategies for the workplace from other participants.
Set Clear Goals
- Set very clear goals for yourself and be realistic about what you would be able to accomplish. Do it on a daily basis.
- Create lists for the day and highlight your top priorities.
- Double-check any important memos, give yourself extra time to prepare assignments, and have a colleague give your work a second look.
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Disengaged Employees
Engagement at work is a sign of employee motivation and resulting productivity. Unfortunately, only about 13% of people globally are engaged at work, and disengaged employees cost the economy $5...
What Not To Do
- Do not make assumptions about a disengaged employee's performance. While statistically, such employees do underperform, there can be other reasons too.
- Do not force an employee to be someone they are not. Everyone cannot be happy and optimistic all the time.
- Do not get emotional, and stick to a transactional, formal, work-focused style. Do not expect to win their hearts or influence them by appealing to their emotions.
- Do not assign employees tasks beyond their area of expertise.
Approaching Disengaged Employees
- Use extrinsic motivating factors such as incentives and rewards to get productivity from a disengaged employee.
- Understand what drives them, connect with them, gaining their trust and respect without being emotional, and focus on what they value.
- Respect an employee's personal space and their need to distance their problems from their work.
Ultimately, it is what an employee delivers that matters most, and a manager has to focus on figuring out how to get the work done.
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“In workplaces that encourage people to be themselves--that are less hierarchical and more innovative--people tend..."
Michael Kerr
Why humor is a key to success at work
- People will enjoy working with you.
- Humor is a potent stress buster.
- It is humanizing.
- It puts others at ease.
- Ha + ha = aha! Humor is a key ingredient in creative thinking.
- It helps build trust.
- It boosts morale.
- People who use humor tend to be more approachable.
- Humor can allow your company to stand out.
- It can increase productivity.