Comments on: How to work through adversity

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:38:39 +0000

I agree, Managers are very reluctant to broach the subject of depression & anxiety in the workplace.
I know that my managers are very aware that I cannot cope with a high stress environment (12 hour days,unreasonable client demands ete) and yet there a zilch support. They have told me I must hide my anxiety and pretend everything is fine.
My line manager recently quit because the stress of the job was impacting on her health, both mental & physical.
Yet they still offer no support, even in the way of technical support in jobs that demand it.
I get the feeling I am being left to sink because they find I am too much trouble to have around. So I resigned stating stress and lack of support as primary reasons for my decision.
The feeling is of relief and yet I feel hurt that after 6 years of dedication my managers could not care less. They haven’t even anounced my leaving to the staff and did nothing to convince me to stay. This is despite a spate of resignations in recent times that will leave my team very short staffed.

By: jes

jes — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:43:53 +0000

Hey Graeme,

Thanks so much for the useful information! I myself have found that a positive attitude, regular exercise and a good diet have helped tremendously with lightening my mood.
Your tips in your posts are very helpful, they’ve partially inspired me to read up and find out more about depression and now I even have my own blog!

http://depressionhelpblog.wordpress.com/

Thanks for the inspiration!

Jes

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:36:36 +0000

Hi Graeme,

I have just read through the blogs on adversity and exercise dated 15 sept, also choosing a therapist.Im dedicating myself to this website as a guide to get better/and manage my illness.You mentioned there are four follow emails on bouncing back from adversity and focusing on meduim term action.Where can I find them.?

By: Leisa

Leisa — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:51:11 +0000

Hello Graeme,

I was fortunate enough to be able to work and continue working throughout this depression. My doctor was keen for me to take time off and in hindsight I wished I had listened to him. I guess it is because my employers have seen the very worst time and I think that has left an impression - if I want to do something different or take on an extra challenge at work I get the question “Can you handle that? or “Don’t you think that will be too much for you?” I lose some confidence then and often don’t push myself. Not that they have been unsupportive, they have been, but I have now found the way you are feeling can profoundly effect your work capability, and those people who have to work with you. I now see that keeping things as normal as possible, does not mean going through exactly each day as you did before you were sick. I guess that’s why depression has to change us unfortunately. But when the depression struck me, I should have taken the time off to make slow, constructive decisions and then came back to work.

Now if only I can talk myself into that excersise! I will get there! Thank you for your continuing updates on this website, I am checking in on the website regularly and find your suggestions and blogs very helpful.

Kind regards
Leisa

By: angi

angi — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:03:14 +0000

dear graeme.
hope your doing well i find myself in and out of the black hole trying to find myself and who i am and have not been working for over a year due to harrassment and the misunderstanding by staff about my mental health issues and found it unbearable to continue my career i was so proud of myself in doing so well and gained new confidance then people try to break me down and losed all hope of being . that my thought was to end it and become invisable to all and have isolated myself from community for a while but i live with some hope and ego to try and get back my self esteem feeling like i dont belong the transition pathway is difficult but im hanging in there i have a lot of life skills and would like also to help others to find their pathway and support . I would like to meet other people and join support group together one can feel belonging and inspire wonderful beautiful people so if you know any group or listing could you send me the info i thank you for keeping in touch with me kindest regards to you

By: paul

paul — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:57:33 +0000

Hi
on the mood thing I am all over the place from 0-6, I still manage to hold down a job.
my best trick is being in the now. what am i doing right this minute,be it breathing or driving. If i am planning suicide and cannot do it right this minute there is not much point in brooding on it. I can usually find something good happening right now to give me lift.
I am a bus driver, if I find myself brooding over a rude passenger, remember they will get off soon enough and not be part of my life.

By: Graeme

Graeme — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:30:16 +0000

Dear Graeme,

I applaud your work and thank you for including me in your multiple emails to link up with the public/ professionals and the carers plus others.

I agree with the advice and suggestions you included into your article for lawyers.

There is so much one could say to this group and you have done well to keep the article brief and relevant. (You know that people with Depression are easily overwhelmed). I see that lawyers and other high functioning people sometimes are reluctant to seek help; their established sense of being a “problem solver” is an additional hurdle for some of this group to overcome before they make it through our doors!

As a full time Psychiatrist working in rooms based practice I am speaking messages the same as yours daily.

I find the “mental fog” of depression, which you speak of, is such a common and debilitating symptom that we need to attack it regularly. For those people who have began to see a professional/ started treatment/ who are working on their recovery and/or now using medications with guidance I often say that “Work works”. (Of course the more deeply depressed need to be in hospital and or off work). However, work restores confidence in one’s ability to be functioning. Return to some part time duties and continuing to engage with your treatment professional/ supporters enhances improvements in the recovery stage.

Keep up the good work. I find that I am already heavily committed work wise although I am pleased to see that you are engaged in fighting depression wisely as you do. Please keep in touch.

Sincerely

Dr. Max MBBS

By: wendy

wendy — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:58:53 +0000

Hi Graeme, I fully identify with this article. Time and time again , I see managers steer clear of people who are depressed and or just stressed. Colleagues and managers tip toe around on egg shells, and at times complain about the individual, however they persistently fail to speak to the person.
In essence this facilitates others building upon their own perceptions and making assumptions about what is happening for the person.

I am currently going through a stressful time at work, being exposed and managing high level episodes of aggression, often requiring police intervention. No one asks , how am I? do I need asistance or offer debriefing. It is very hard.

Exercise, diet and nutrition are strategies that do help. Exercise is often what a depressed or stressed person loathes, however after 30 minutes, a little spring in the step appears and your mind set is altered. It is so important to find someone to talk to, whether a loved one, or therapist- “being heard” often contributes to a better sense of feeling less troubled.
Wendy