| Depression affects so many people around the world | | | | time allotted to you. This helps you keep on an even |
| and learning how to cope with it is not easy. If you | | | | keel as you work and you won't feel so overwhelmed. |
| have admitted that you have a problem and are being | | | | If a particular co-worker causes your stress level to |
| treated for it, then you are one step closer to healing. | | | | elevate, avoid them as much as you can to keep your |
| But you may find yourself in a predicament if your | | | | levels low. |
| depression is causing problems between you and your | | | | Communicate with your immediate supervisor that you |
| co-workers. By getting help through depression | | | | are being treated for depression so that they |
| therapy and learning how to cope with social situations | | | | understand why you occasionally take a step back |
| you will be able to handle the problems your | | | | from your work. Continue taking your medication and |
| co-workers throw your way. | | | | treatments so that you are better able to concentrate |
| How many of these questions can you answer? | | | | on your work and be productive. Make your personal |
| * Does my illness affect my ability to perform my job? | | | | life as full of purpose as possible and remember that |
| * Have I changed jobs more frequently than my peers | | | | there is more to life than just work. |
| because of depression related issues? | | | | Time off |
| * Have I been passed up for promotion time and time | | | | If you are dealing with job-related and co-worker |
| again? | | | | problems, turn to your support network to help you |
| * Have I completely changed by career in order to | | | | move past the issue before it can cause a depressive |
| avoid confrontations and awkward situation? | | | | episode. If you have paid sick leave or vacation time |
| * Did I quit my job outside of home so I didn't have to | | | | available, use it when you feel an episode coming on |
| cope with my co-workers? | | | | and your symptoms are getting severe. If you do not |
| * Have I been given less responsibility at work? | | | | have paid time, ask your employers about short or |
| If you can yes to most of these question, then you are | | | | long term disability insurance and options. Talk to your |
| going to want to find alternative treatments to help you | | | | human resources department about the Family and |
| cope with social situations so that you can partake in | | | | Medical Leave Act and see if you are eligible to use it. |
| social and professional activities. Psychotherapy | | | | You need to be able to recover from a manic or |
| includes behavioural and cognitive therapy techniques. | | | | depressive episode with no demands on you. As you |
| These techniques help you learn how to deal with your | | | | begin to feel better, look into something that can |
| emotions, deal with triggers that set off your | | | | occupy your time. Depending on the severity of your |
| depression, and how to deal with them so that you do | | | | depression will determine whether or not you can go |
| spiral back into your old ways. | | | | back to work. If you can, make a list of what you |
| What to do to cope while at work | | | | want out of your job and then see if you can't find one |
| When you are at work, by law you are entitles to | | | | that fit your criteria. There are groups that will help |
| breaks. During an eight hour day, you get a lunch plus | | | | place you in a job and get you back on your feet |
| two 'coffee breaks'. How these work out time-wise | | | | again. |
| depends on each individual company's policy. Take the | | | | |