Depression has been a condition that some people underestimate. Others say it’s just like being sad and tired, but it’s more than that. It is a major depressive disorder that has a negative impact on a person’s way of thinking, feeling, and acting. A person suffering from depression feels as if there is a large hole in their heart and soul that will leave them completely empty, as if they no longer have any interest in life. Depression is a sensitive topic for most people because they find it difficult to open up and talk about their situation. The reality is that most people who feel depressed tend to hide it in order to avoid the various judgments that others may pass on them.
Depression can happen due to many reasons. A depression of one person can vary from another. Below are the most common causes of depression.
· Traumas brought by abuse, accidents, etc.
· Medication
· Age
· Personality
· Biological aspects such as genes
· Negative impactful events and conflicts
· People in the environment
· Financial issues
Employers should be concerned about their employees’ mental health and well-being because depression can affect anyone at any time. Employees who are depressed perform and produce poorly at work. It is possible to experience poor time management, social connection, judgment, and loss of concentration making it hard for a person to complete his or her tasks at work.
Depression Symptoms and Signs that an Employer Should Not Ignore
- Mood swings and irritability
When an employee is originally a happy and jolly type, it is already suspicious when he or she becomes continuously moody for days. It is also more suspicious if one becomes easily irritated when it comes to their workmates and tasks. These kinds of behaviour can be a symptom of stress and worse, depression.
2. Evident tiredness or fatigue
Employees who enjoy their jobs and have the will and motivation to succeed will do their utmost best to feel and be enthusiastic about their jobs. Evident tiredness which is reflected on the face or expression and how they move, and act is a different story. It can also be associated with hopelessness and a loss of interest in one’s job. Tiredness can result from not getting enough sleep during their rest hours or at night. But it can also be the other way around. A person can have adequate amount of sleep or even overslept but still feels tired.
3. Sudden change of appetite
When you’re feeling lost or depressed, food doesn’t seem as appealing as much like the better days. On the other hand, others may tend to eat more, thinking that it could make them feel better. One of the ways people react to depression is by consuming less or more food. This is more obvious when there is a sudden weight loss or gain.
4. Absenteeism
Employees who are depressed feel hopeless, empty, and unmotivated, which leads to a lack of drive to begin a new day at work. Adding up the tiredness they feel and sadness, they realise that work isn’t worth the energy they have left.
5. Lack of focus
Being depressed makes it difficult for an employee to concentrate on their work tasks because of unhealthy thoughts in their minds and unstable emotions. A lack of focus will eventually lead to poor decision making as well as poor work performance or productivity. Instead of getting work done, they would take a longer time to complete even the most basic tasks.
6. Frequent lack of cooperation
Remember that it is critical to build a positive and peaceful work environment in the workplace. It is strongly encouraged for each employee to develop healthy relationships with one another. If an employee who used to have great connections with his or her colleagues suddenly refuses to cooperate and complains when approached, this could be a sign of depression.
What an employer could do?
It is your responsibility as the leader of your work family to keep an eye on your employees. Having some small talk and asking how their lives are going is a good way to reduce the risk of depression or to deal with it. If you notice any of the potential signs and symptoms, do not ignore them. Instead, devise a way to assist your employee. Doing activities once in a while that give them a break from work, make them feel relaxed, and allow them to enjoy life is a big help. If you notice an employee giving verbal hints about depression, you can approach them politely but not directly because it is a very sensitive subject. If the person opens up to you, make sure you respect their privacy and confidentiality. Do not treat these people as if they are in desperate need or incapable, as this will only make them feel worse. Continue to treat them with confidence in their abilities and skills. Encourage and motivate them, and be a good listener and adviser. If they are not comfortable with you because they believe you are their boss, try to encourage them to open up to people close to them whom they trust in order to reduce the heavy and empty feeling they are enduring.
Depression is no joke. Break the stigma now!
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