Clinical depression is one of America’s most costly illnesses. Indeed, untreated depression costs the US economy more than $43 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and treatment costs, making it equally as costly as AIDS or heart disease. Depression may be present in 11% of US population at some point during life.
Depression is a mental illness characterized by feelings of profound sadness and lack of interest in enjoyable activities. It may cause a wide range of symptoms, both physical and emotional. Depression is not the same as a blue mood, nor is it a personal weakness; it is a major, but treatable illness. Depression can last for weeks, months, or years. People with depression may recover without treatment. However, the longer depression lasts and the more times it recurs, the more likely it is that treatment will prove necessary.
The precise cause of depression is not known. Causes may be mental, physical, or environmental, including:
Symptoms of depression are highly variable from person to person. Some people have only a few symptoms, while others have many. Symptoms may also vary over time. In the workplace, symptoms of depression often may be recognized by:
Treatment of depression usually includes medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. The medications help relieve symptoms, while psychotherapy helps employees learn more effective ways of dealing with problems or identifying and resolving the conflicts contributing to their depression.
More than 80% of people with clinical depression can be treated successfully. The key is to recovery is that their symptoms are recognized early and that they get the treatment they need. Many companies are helping their employees with depression by providing training on depressive illnesses for supervisors, access to employee assistance programs (EAPs), and access to occupational health personnel. Such efforts are contributing to significant reductions in lost time and job-related accidents as well as marked increases in productivity.
Here’s what you can do:
Successful treatment of depression enables people with the disease to return to satisfactory, functioning lives, and nearly everyone who undergoes treatment gets some degree of relief. With early recognition, intervention, and support, most employees can overcome their depression and pick up their lives and careers where they left off.
RESOURCES:
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Mental Health America
http://www.nmha.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org/
Canadian Psychological Association
http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/home.asp/
References:
Depression in the workplace. National Mental Health Association website. Available at: http://www.nmha.org/ . Accessed June 11, 2003.
The effects of depression in the workplace. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/ . Accessed June 11, 2003.
What to do when an employee is depressed: a guide for supervisors. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depemployee.cfm . Accessed June 11, 2003.
Last reviewed May 2009 by Theodor B. Rais, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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