For millions of Americans work stress is an all-too common reality. And it's seemingly getting worse. Technology such as cell phones, emails, and text messaging increasingly causes job stress to spill over into our personal lives. In some cases, this leads to severe illnesses, including depression.
A job or career can contribute to your sense of achievement and self worth, and provide you with a much-needed income or outlet for your creativity. On the other hand, increasing demands from management, bad bosses, or toxic colleagues, can make you feel insecure, anxious, or depressed.
In 2004, one out of four workers took a mental health day. In surveys conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), 61 percent of respondents indicated that job stress has a significant impact on their lives; 54 percent were concerned about the effects job stress had on their health.
Factors that Increase Job Stress and the Risk of Depression Include:
- long hours, including too much overtime
- lack of control in your job
- personality conflicts, especially with your boss
- a high volume of work
- insufficient qualifications or skill to do the job
- non-negotiable deadlines
- a long commute
Symptoms of Depression on the Job
Major depression is associated with symptoms such as persistent sadness or empty feelings, anxiety, fatigue, hopelessness, poor concentration and memory, overeating, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts...
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