How to handle work when youre depressed

How to handle work when youre depressedWork can be challenging in even the best of circumstancesbut when youre depressed and notlage feeling your absolute best, getting through each workday can be a real struggle. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Many folks grapple with wirtschaftskrise in both their personal and professional lives, and it can make getting through each day and handling daily responsibilities difficult. According to a recent study by The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 16.1 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. This number represented 6.7% of all U.S. adults. The NIMH defines a major depressive episode as a period of two weeks or longer during which there is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure, and at least four other symptoms that reflect a change in functioning, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy , concentration, and self-image.Depression in the workplace is a significant issueboth for employees and employers. Mental Health America recently reported that Clinical depression has become one of Americas most costly illnesses. Left untreated, depression is as costly as heart disease or AIDS to the U.S. economy, costing over $51 billion in absenteeism from work and lost productivity and $26 billion in direct treatment costs. Depression tends to affect people in their prime working years and may brde a lifetime if untreated.Furthermora, a significantly higher percentage of adults suffer from minor or moderate depressive episodes. Although they typically include less pervasive symptoms, it can nonetheless make it hard to handle work and a spiraling effect can resultyou feel depressed, which effects your ability to work, which makes you more depressed, and so on.Are you among the millions of Americans who suffer from depression? If so, then youre not alone and there is a way forward use the following strategies to help you learn to handle work when youre depressed.Dont ignore the signs.If youre struggling at work, try your best to recognize the signs that it might be due to depression.Are you feeling tired and lethargic throughout the day for no reason?Are everyday tasksthings that you used to do before with easebecoming increasingly more difficult for you to handle and complete, or have become completely overwhelming for you?Is interacting with others at your workplace, or working collaboratively on team-based projects, becoming so uncomfortable or unappealing to you that you avoid contact or social interactions with colleagues at all costs?Do you find that your self-care routine is falling by the wayside?Are you noticing negative changes in your overall mood and attitude throughout the day?Has your productivity at work dipped?Do you find yourself missing work, coming in late, or leaving early more often?The truth is, any one or combination of these signs coul d be an indication that youre suffering from depression. If you answered yes to any of these questions, the first step is to acknowledge that depression might currently be an issue for you.Assess your needs.As previously mentioned, there are varying degrees of depression that an individual can experience, and every person has their own unique symptoms, coping mechanisms, and needs. If youve made the determination that youre suffering from depressionwhether its mild or more profounda good idea is to try and take an honest self-assessment and mental inventory regarding how its affecting your life. The brde thing you want to have happen is to have your depression take complete control of your life and adversely affect your job situationwhich can make your condition worse.Once youve determined how your depression is affecting you at work, try to assess your needs. Do you need to simply recalibrate, get organized, and wrap your head around your work responsibilities in a new and fresh wa y? Do you need to make some behavioral and lifestyle changes in an effort to enact positive change? Or do you need additional outside help? Once youre able to make a determination about what you need in order to effect change in your life and make the struggle a bit easier, youll be in a better position to choose the right steps for you.Seek help if needed.Do you think that you may need some guidance from othersperhaps friends or family, trusted colleagues, or professional help? The first thing to realize is that this isnt a personal failure on your part. Many competent and functional adults suffer from depression, and theres no shame or stigma in reaching out for help. Depression is a heavy weight to carry around on your ownseeking help from others can help ease the burden and allow you to focus on working towards an effective life solution.Explore workplace options.Many progressive workplaces offer benefits packages that include mental health servicesfrom finding the right profess ional help to meet your needs to financial coverage for associated costs. You may also be eligible to take paid time off from work to focus on getting help and getting better. Contact your HR representative to learn all of your options, which will help you formulate the best strategy for dealing with your depression.You are under no obligation to disclose a private health concern like depression to your colleagues and coworkers. That said, many people chose to be honest and up front about their depression and are met with sensitivity, guidance, and understanding, which can be an incredibly supportive and encouraging thing to have at a time when you need it most. The choice on how to handle disclosure is completely yours.Dont just ignore your depression.How many problems in your life get better by simply ignoring them? If you feel that youre experiencing depression at work and its affecting your ability to do your job, your best bet is to not ignore it and to use the steps outlined a bove to try and make some positive changes. Dont forgetyoure not alone and your situation is not insurmountable. With a little proactive effort and the courage to effect positive changes in your life, you can go beyond learning how to handle depression at work. Instead, you can truly thrive.