Not everyone goes to work every morning with the same passion. But how dangerous is a bad workplace for your mental health? And once you’re depressed, how long will it take you to get back to your old job? We asked a psychologist and a company doctor to tell you more about the interaction between your job and your mental health. From the risks of your job to the length of your disability: here’s what you need to know about working with depression.
Depression and work
The relationship between your mental health and work is complex. That’s why we asked not one, but two experts to share their take on this topic. Denise Habets, psychologist, will discuss the relationship between work and depression. Company doctor Linda Battes van UpHealth will then open the booklet about practical matters such as incapacity for work and reintegration.
Can you get depressed from work?
‘Some people are in a workplace where they are not happy,’ says Habets. They may feel they are stuck. Maybe they’re afraid they won’t get a job elsewhere or they don’t dare to apply elsewhere. It makes sense that your mood will deteriorate as a result. If that continues, someone can slowly but surely end up in a depression.’
Want to know more about the diagnosis of depression? These are the most important facts in a row.
Risk factors for work-related depression
According to Habets, there are several things that can provoke gloom – and therefore depression in serious cases – at work. ‘A difficult relationship with a colleague or manager can play a role. You can also feel gloomy if you often have to work overtime, because you are less likely to indicate your limits yourself. A position that does not suit your level is often not beneficial either. Other character traits such as fear of failure and perfectionism can also be part of the problem. Furthermore, a disturbed sleep rhythm, for example due to night shifts, can also have an impact on your mood. And in some cases, traumatic experiences with transgressive behavior play a role.’
Want to know more about other risk factors? Read all about five other causes of depression here.
Complaints of depression at work?
Sometimes, of course, it is also possible that your depression has nothing to do with work at all. Unfortunately, depression can still affect your work. ‘With a depression you can suffer from concentration and memory problems, which means that you can work less well. A high work pressure will therefore only increase. During work you can also suffer from negative thoughts, a distorted feeling of guilt and deteriorated contact with colleagues. You then feel alone and sometimes end up in a vicious circle.’
From cause to solution
Habets’ advice: ‘See if you can discover what makes you feel so gloomy or unpleasant.’ As soon as you know where the hitch is, you can start thinking about the solution. ‘Once you know what the problem is, a conversation about it is also possible. If the step to the manager is still too big, you can often also contact a confidential adviser to discuss it beforehand. Often things are possible. If not, then the question is whether you are in the right workplace.’
Habets adds that it is also important to check with yourself what you can change. ‘Sometimes I hear that a boss is not open to change, but then someone actually doesn’t dare to raise it himself. In that case it is important to work on yourself and sometimes your employer can help with that. There are often budgets for assertiveness training, for example.’
Want to know more about help with gloom? These are 7 treatments for depression.
How long are you incapacitated for work if you are depressed?
But what if you unexpectedly drop out due to depression. How long are you at home on average? ‘The severity of the depression can differ from person to person, and so can the limitations,’ explains company doctor Linda Battes. ‘The limitations determine whether or not someone is incapacitated for work for their own work. If a postman breaks his leg, he is incapacitated for work. A secretary with the same diagnosis is not.’
Reintegration at work after a depression
‘Especially in the case of a depression, it is extremely important to go back to work and get back into the rhythm,’ explains Battes. A good reintegration process is essential for this. ‘Reintegration is not the same as returning to work. When you resume work, you have to return to your old workplace with the same tasks and the same pressure. With reintegration you have the freedom to indicate what is and what is not possible and at what pace.’
Of course it is difficult to make a good assessment of this yourself when you are in the middle of a depression. You tend to withdraw and underestimate yourself. Fortunately, there is help.
Who helps you with reintegration?
‘A company doctor helps you to translate limitations into possibilities,’ explains Battes. ‘A case manager, employment expert and employer also contribute ideas.’ Also good to know: a company doctor is independent of an employer. ‘Company doctors, like all other doctors, have medical confidentiality.’ The personal information you share about your health with a company doctor will NOT appear in your boss’s mailbox the next morning.
Do you also have serious thoughts in addition to the above complaints? Always make an appointment with your doctor to discuss this. You can also call the 113 Suicide Prevention Foundation 24/7 on 0800-0113.
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2023-08-31 11:52:37
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