Is your workplace making you depressed? Here are some tips on how to beat it
What is work related stress?
Work-related stress, depression or anxiety is defined by the Health and Safety Executive as “a harmful reaction people have to undue pressures and demands placed on them at work”.
How common is work related stress?
The statistics are sobering. According to the Health and Safety Executive, there were 488000 cases of work related stress , anxiety and depression cases in 2015/2016. The main causes for this were cited as excessive workload pressures, tight deadlines and lack of support from management. The occupational groups most affected appear to be in the public sector including health care workers such as nurses , teachers and welfare professionals
What are the signs of work related stress ?
Stress by itself is not an illness however this can lead to clinical depression , anxiety disorders and others. Some of the signs of work stress includes
- poor performance
- tiredness or irritability
- frequent sickness absences
- an increase in the use of alcohol or drugs
- poor time-keeping
- difficulties with relationships at work
- tearfulness
- headaches
- mood swings
What can be done about it?
Firstly, it’s important to talk to someone about it. The first port of call may be your boss. Employers have an obligation to conduct a stress risk assessment and discuss strategies to help youYou could always talk to your GP to discuss treatment if necessary and if more specialist input is required then you could get referred to a psychiatrist. The important thing is not to ignore it and to seek help early.
Here is advice from the NHS on how to beat stress at work
