Disease Description
Depression is a common and popular disorder that, if ignored, can lead to severe consequences. Depression is a human condition in which such signs as sadness, melancholy, indifference, anxiety, and timidity are observed (Cognevich, 2021). Often, the depression is accompanied by symptoms such as sleep disturbance, loss of energy, lack of interest, and desire to continue with usual activities.
Signs and Symptoms
A person’s self-esteem decreases, and their interest in life and communication, as well as any impact on the outside world or socially, is lost (Cognevich, 2021). Often one’s appetite may disappear, which also affects an individual’s well-being, energy, strength, and physical performance. In severe forms of depression, retardation of thinking, speech, and reactions, as well as a decrease in motor function, can be observed. A person with depression may feel guilty, and usually, one is pessimistic. In addition, the ability to concentrate is disturbed in one, which can negatively affect study or work, since the perception or processing of new information becomes problematic.
Further, in depression, there may be an inability/decrease in the ability of a person to receive pleasure or satisfaction. Anhedonia is a wide range of personality disorders in which the body’s functioning is disrupted in terms of motivation and pleasure (Strakowski, 2019). That is why, often, one can say that a person has this disorder when a person with depression lies all day and is in an encapsulated state. In other words, there is no communication with the outside world, relatives, or friends, and there is no interest in communicating with the opposite sex (APA, 2015). With this form of depression, the help of a specialist is needed, as it can give rise to suicidal thoughts or actions. However, in some cases, depression can be a normal body response as a reaction to shocking events. Depression can also occur as a reaction of the body to the intake of any drugs, both medicinal and narcotic.
Causes and Factors
There are different opinions about the cognitive mechanism of depression and the causes of this disorder. Thus, the cognitive aspect lies in the fact that the patient has a dysfunctional thought disorder (Cognevich, 2021). Various incorrect beliefs arise in childhood and can be triggered at any age, depending on external factors. These beliefs lead to the fact that a person develops thinking distortions that formulate the cognitive triad of depression (Cognevich, 2021). These include low self-esteem, negative thoughts about the environment, and pessimistic views about the future (Strakowski, 2019).
This aspect articulates how the depressed person thinks, namely, constantly distorting the version of events as confirmation of their negative thoughts. People with depression often greatly exaggerate events, and there is miscategorization, generalization, and selective abstraction. A person with depression has unreasonable anxiety about events that may occur in the future, but at the moment, there are no prerequisites.
An interesting fact lies in the phenomenon that people with depression are more likely to use imperative beliefs than healthy people. In other words, a depressed person uses such speech forms as “should” or “must” more often; however, it is unreasonable (Strakowski, 2019). This is because a person with depression thinks in such a way that they should be able to solve a problem or get out of trouble quickly. It breeds dissatisfaction and the stereotype that one cannot achieve, solve, or fix anything.
In turn, this kind of thinking reinforces obsessions about worthlessness and generates more negative thoughts, exacerbating general symptoms of depression. It is important to note that both psychological/cognitive processes and biochemical processes are equally important in depression. That is why, during treatment, analyses are conducted to confirm the change in the leading indicators and are based on the correction of these indices.
Impacts on Work Performance
As already indicated, depression hurts work, as a person loses the desire for development and motivation. One should not worry about not completing an important job or assignment, as this can negatively affect the company’s workflow. Communication with colleagues and superiors becomes more difficult when the person lacks motivation to discuss or acquire new knowledge and skills (APA, 2015).
An important aspect is that the individual has a distorted concept of importance and the consequences of not completing tasks. Finally, symptoms such as inhibition of thinking and motor functions also hinder the work process. In some cases, work can become one of the treatment options for depression, as one can be distracted by an important task. However, this may not always happen, and it is vital to consider the individual characteristics of the patient and the degree of depression before advising them to go deeper into work.
In some cases, depression can positively affect the workflow. For example, in work therapy for depression, if one has positive outcomes, one might have an increased level of performance. In other words, the person can accomplish more work, as it is the only way to alleviate the symptoms. One may feel distracted, and the depressive signs temporarily disappear as all thoughts are focused on completing tasks and work (Strakowski, 2019). In such cases, one can receive a promotion or experience a change in attitude towards work due to improved performance.
In addition, sometimes depression can become a trigger for the discovery of new talents, for example, artistic or writing. It is because one needs to express one’s feelings in some way, which can be realized in a literary novel. Often, due to a lack of communication with others, one can quickly write a high-quality and exciting novel, thereby helping oneself overcome depression.
Overcoming Challenges
When talking about what employees and managers need to consider when building relationships with a person with depression, it is worth noting several aspects. In many cases, medical treatment is necessary, but the person may be unable to perform it alone or refuse treatment (APA, 2015). It is essential to reassure the patient as symptoms may worsen in the absence of suitable treatment. Ordinary phrases will not have a substantial impact, so it is essential to listen to them and try to identify the root causes. Therefore, it is crucial to constantly remind employees with depression of the importance of taking medication and that it will help them.
Further, managers should not overburden a person with depression because, in such a state, it is hard to work and focus on tasks. It is necessary to give the person some freedom for a while in terms of choosing the amount of work, as if they do not have time to complete all the tasks, their condition may worsen. If a person with depression has begun to talk about the causes of the disorder, it is imperative to listen to them, as this can positively affect the condition.
Depression is often accompanied by symptoms such as insomnia, drowsiness, and other sleep problems. Adjusting the work schedule for the duration of the treatment would be a good solution in this case. It is vital to provide a colleague with a flexible schedule so that they have the opportunity to work at a time that suits them best. Depression often affects cognition, so breaking down a big project into smaller tasks is essential as well.
References
APA (American Psychiatric Association). (2015). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM V). (5thed.). American Psychiatric Association.
Cognevich, C. (2020). Depression: Insights and tips for teenagers. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Strakowski, S. M. (2019). Depression. Oxford University Press.