Page 56 - Q4 Oilservers Newsletter

DECEMBER 2022. Q4. VOL.17 DECEMBER 2022. Q4. VOL.17

mood and symptoms. While
behaviors that are unusual,
many employers recognize
they may be struggling with
that creating a supportive
work depression. Sometimes
work environment is critical,
a previously productive
there are still many improve-
worker will suddenly
ments that need to be made.
become inconsistent or
Here are ways to manage or
careless. When depression
mitigate symptoms of work
remains unaddressed, an
depression:
employee may demonstrate
• Getting creative
increased levels of functional • Volunteering
DEPRESSION impairment. • Sleeping well
Here are signs that you may
• Exercising
AND ITS EFFECT be experiencing depression at • Making healthy food choic-
work:
es
Procrastination/difficulty
•
Socializing
•
ON WORKPLACE • meeting deadlines. • Adopting time manage-
Lateness or missed work.
PRODUCTIVITY • • Irritability with coworkers.
of
Avoidance
new
projects.
• Loss of motivation. • Workaholism
Authored by Nurse Franklyn Okere • Difficulty concentrating. • Difficult bosses
Co-authored Nurse Ihuoma Osiri • Frequent mistakes. • Lack of reward or recognition
Oilserv Limited • Feeling out of touch and
• Poor organizational culture
unable to celebrate work • Lack of ethics or accountability
Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived achievements. • Micro-management by leadership
emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Sometimes • Inability to “turn off” after • Workplace cliques
people confuse sadness or stress for depression and anxiety and work. • Unfairness in the workplace policy
vice versa. According to Psychology Today, sadness is a normal • Talking too much about • Discrimination
emotion that is triggered by a disappointing, difficult, hurtful, or work to family and friends. • Sexual harassment
challenging event. Sadness lessens over time. So, does stress. • “Shutting down” when the • Harassment or Bullying
Depression, on the other hand, is a persistent negative emotional subject of work comes up. • Burnout
state that lasts at least two weeks and is not necessarily triggered • Fantasizing about quitting
by any event. the job or having a new life
How Does Depression Impact the Workplace?
altogether.
Depression, if left untreated or attended to, may have a ment skills
• Decrease in overall
significant impact on work performance. It contributes to • Practicing Mindfulness
productivity or quality of
presenteeism, or employees at work but not engaged, and • Being transparent.
work.
absenteeism, or employees missing days of work. It may • Utilizing wellness resources
What is Work Depression? • “Losing time” during the workday – inability to
also adversely impact multiple areas of employee perfor- • Encouraging activism
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent account for what was accomplished.
mance, including focus and decision-making, time manage-
feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called a • Vague somatic complaints: stomach upset,
ment, completing physical tasks, social interactions, and Conclusion:
major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it headache, feeling tired.
communication. Like most other health conditions, early Work depression can be extremely isolating and oftentimes
affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to
detection and effective treatment lessen the severity and feel debilitating. However, there is always help available
a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may Potential Triggers of Work Depression
impact of the condition. for those who need it. Reaching out to a loved one, finding
have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and The relationship between work and depression is one
a therapist, or pursuing an activity that brings you joy can
sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living. that can work both ways. Depression can impact your
How to Cope with Depression at Work all be helpful ways to start working toward recovery. When
ability to perform your job well, and stress at work can
When you recognize that you may be suffering from depres- depression is effectively addressed in the workplace, it prom-
Signs of Depression in the Workplace also contribute to a person becoming depressed. Some
sion at work, there are steps that you can take to start ises to lower total medical costs, increase productivity,
Work depression can manifest both inside and work-related triggers that can cause major depression
feeling better again. Participating in extracurricular activities, lower absenteeism and decrease disability costs.
outside of a person’s workplace. When someone or stress include:
joining groups, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, and
begins to act out of character, exhibiting signs or
speaking with your supervisor can help improve your overall
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