Beating Depression. Is Work Stress Getting You Down?
John was a hard working and caring teacher. He loved his job, despite increased workload pressures and the demands of extra curriculum activities. He regularly took work home and his wife often complained that he was “married to his job”.
Of concern to her was his occasional bouts of work related stress and depression.
Just over 12 months ago, he arrived at work early to prepare for a pre school interview with “a particularly difficult parent.” At morning tea he suddenly lost consciousness and slumped forward over the staffroom table. Frantic attempts to resuscitate him failed. His heart attack at the age of 53 came without warning. He was in generally good health. According to colleagues he took his job seriously and seemed depressed and anxious in the weeks prior to his death.
Teachers, nurses, doctors and police are in particularly stressful occupations. They are constantly dealing with members of the public and research studies show that members of these professions have high rates of stress, depression and anxiety. Doctors also have high rates of suicide.
Yet all occupations these days can be stressful. Increased work pressures due to staff reductions and “downsizing” as well as tough deadlines to be met and demanding sales quotas, can lead to health problems including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and cancer. The current escalation of fuel prices has placed particular stress on those involved in the transport industry.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REDUCE YOUR WORK STRESS?
HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS:
SEEK COUNSELLING.
Almost all businesses have professional counseling services to help employees who may be experiencing health problems due to stress and depression. In most cases the service is free. Don’t feel as if you are being weak. Your future health is at stake here. Use it.
TAKE LEAVE.
You are entitled to this as part of your sick leave. Remember you are not indispensable. Your job will survive without you! You will be amazed at how much better you will feel when you take a break. Your body will thank you and so will your family. They could have you for a lot longer! Your counselor may recommend a period of stress leave and a doctor’s certificate may be necessary.
TAKE YOUR HOLIDAYS.
According to Professor Ron Penny, medical director of Good Health Solutions, “Studies have proven people are much better emotionally and physically after taking a holiday. For starters, the heart attack risk drops in males when they take annual leave at regular intervals”.
Importantly for employers, healthy well rested people are more productive, they take fewer sick days and the strange phenomenon of “presenteeism” { in which an employee stays too long} or classic Mondayitis, becomes less prevalent.
TAKE TIME OUT.
At lunchtime, leave your work premises and go for a walk on your own, preferably in a park or even along the beach. The fresh air and solitude will do wonders for your spirits, giving you time to reflect and rejuvenate. Similarly on the way home from work, stop of at a park and either go for a walk or just sit in your car listening to relaxing music.
EXERCISE.
Of all the stress reduction activities, this is possibly the most important. Research studies indicate that exercise is one of the best for your health. Brisk walking and tennis are two of my favourites. Gardening, taking your dog for a walk or simply throwing a Frisbee are great stress reduction activities. Simply being out in the fresh air is an added bonus.
NURTURE A PET.
Did you know that your dog can be a great stress reducer? The simple act of stroking or playing with your pet releases “feel good” hormones, including serotonin, that are beneficial for your health.
Never start a new treatment before consulting your doctor, especially if you are currently taking medication. The information published in this article is not intended as a substitute for personal medical advice from your physician or other qualified health-care practitioner. It is for information purposes only.
Graeme Lanham
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/beating-depression-is-work-stress-getting-you-down-80248.html
February 26th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Can Stress/Depression cause heart palpations/irregular heart beat? (ANSWER PLEASE!)?
you see, i went to the emergency room about 2, 2 1/2 weeks ago because i had a Aniexty attcack/Panic attack over a bowel movement.
Ever since i went to the ER, i havn't been myself lately.. I've cried alot, thinking im dieing, seriously folks, i've taken lexapro, but i did'nt like the side affects it gave me, made my leg twitch, hard to breathe, heart palpations, couldn't eat, and layed in bed all day.
I had a urine test, and blood sample at the ER, and visited the Doctor the next day, and he said by the looks of the tests, i didn't have kidney failure or anything like that, he said i have an ANXIETY DISORDER, and a Phobia of Death.
But i havn't felt the same, i've gotten irregular heart beats/heart palpations ALOT, Hard to breathe, trouble sleeping/laying down.
I've been thinking im dieing, i am undergoing alot of stress, im 14 years old. an i've be on House arrest for 4 months. (i get off sunday)
Is this all because stress/depression, or is it "real"?
February 26th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
The question is easily answered…
Yes..stress and depression can cause heart palpations and irregular heart beat.
Naturally enough..becoming aware of the irregular heart beat and so on is worrying in itself..and this just makes things worse.
You are not dying but the physical conditions you experience are psychosomatic.
It is best to avoid any prolonged drug regime..but initially calming drugs can help you get over this..
The principle I suggest is that as soon as you begin to take any kind of medication..then so you begin to wean yourself away from the same..and this can take time.
All you show is known to many..it feels to you most likely that you are very alone and vulnerable..and this is to say the least challenging..however you will get through this and some of the cornerstones of the changes you need to make in your life are centered on healthy living of mind and body.
Towards this..useful changes will focus on diet exercise and meditation..this may not fit with you or your energy..but you have choice and need to consider every aspect of your young life.
Good luck with all you do..
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February 26th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
darling these are all very classic symtoms of acute anxiety and stress. You poor thing having to go through all of this at your age.
I know it feels like you are going to die and that something terrible is about to happen. It feels so real and it is hard to believe it is only stress and anxiety.
That feeling where you feel like you can't get enough oxygen/air in and the pounding heart and jumping heart beat are so common in anxiety.
There is so much help available to people with anxiety - can you get to a therapist. They help you to deal with those horrible feelings and teach you to retrain your brain to know that you are not going to die.
Being under house arrest at your age is so sad - no wonder you are depressed. Lexapro will work eventually - it takes a few weeks for the best results but it wont be a miracle - you also need to go to counselling to learn to calm your brain and retrain your thinking. I take it - makes me twtich too but I dont panic about it anymore - I just ignore it.
I too had anxeity and panic attacks when I was 15 and it was so hard to deal with but you can do it. It is a very common problem.
there are some really good books out there that go through all your symptoms and help you to ignore them and not panic when you feel them. panic only makes it worse.
Goodluck
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RN and Mom of 6
February 26th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Stress and depression are "real", however I wonder what a 14 year old has to be that stressed or depressed over. Nolt meaing to sound dismissive, but come on, kid, life can't be that bad that you freak over poop. Learn to laugh. find something yoiu like to do and then do it and don't worry so much. If you don't like something in your life, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude about it. Either way it gets better. Now the arrythmia- have a cardiologist look at it. It might be a symptopm of something more serious, but then again it might not. My husband has arrythmia because of stress and the doctor has said don't worry overmuch because of it. Relax kiddo. You have a lot going for you at 14. Don't grow up too fast.
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being a mom
February 26th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Hi, sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. Yes, you can get heart palps with anxiety. The following steps will eliminate (or at least significantly reduce) your panic attacks:
1.Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.
2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks, OCD and anxiety etc. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can speak to your doctor about taking a course or you can take a course for free online at: http://www.livinglifetothefull.com Or you can get special CBT workbooks for young people. You could try ‘Think Good - Feel Good: A Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Workbook for Children and Young People’ by Paul Stallard
3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really make a difference if you practise often enough (i.e. twice a day). They will also help you sleep better if done at bedtime. You can get free downloads online. E.g.: http://www.studentservices.utas.edu.au/counselling/audio_resources/index.html
With each step practise makes perfect. (i.e. practise the steps every day, not just when you are feeling bad). I hope you feel better soon. Best of luck!
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