by Rachelle de Bretagne

Created on: March 25, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Depression can hit any one of us at any time in our lives, and the problem with generalizing about depression as an issue is that even the most stable of people can be victim to its grasp. Depression takes you out of your normal positive state and plunges you into being unsure of your life, your surroundings, your own importance, and indeed your self esteem.

DEPRESSION IN THE WORKPLACE

When a colleague is depressed, the initial signs may be so gradual that you don't notice, although spending a great deal of time with someone who is suffering depression, a pattern of behavior becomes clear. Their focus on their work can change from lethargic to obsessive, dependent on the nature of that person. Whilst many fall into a pit of depression that renders them less capable than their co-workers, beware that there is always that person who masks their depression by hiding behind hard work.

Both types are dangerous in their own way, and both need recognition and support, and supporting those people in your workplace that suffer from any kind of depression is important. Your tolerance levels may not be that high, although it is a learning process, and what won't make the problem go away is ignoring it.

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS

When a co-worker seems disinterested in their work, lethargic and distant, perhaps this is the beginning of depression, or perhaps there are logical underlying reasons for the way they are responding. Finding out what is wrong is half the battle, and here talking is important, but more important than talking, is listening. Depressed people sometimes need prompting into conversation though don't be too pushy. Letting them know you are there is the first step to helping them, and leaving them to choose the moment is essential. A depressed person pushed into a corner will react in a negative manner, and pushy friendship doesn't help them deal with whatever is going on inside them. There may be home reasons for their depression which can be sorted out. Circumstances do change and circumstantial depression does pass. Clinical depression however is more deep-rooted, and here, a simple supportive approach works better than a pushy one.

Depressed people internalize, and by pushing what you do is add to their turmoil the fact that you noticed their depression, making the problem bigger. Being friendly and letting them know in a subtle way that you are there for them is a better way to go, because what you are doing is feeding them a possible way of getting the words

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