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Unhappy Holidays: Identifying Depression In The Workplace

Unhappy Holidays: Identifying Depression In The Workplace
by Rebecca Weitzel

Holiday decor and store displays remind us the holiday season quickly approaches. While this time of year offers a wonderful source of cheer, the holidays increase feelings of sadness and despair for some.

We all experience the blues once in a while. But feelings that persist two weeks or more or those that interfere with such everyday activities as concentration, eating, sleep and work or the desire to participate in once-enjoyed activities could be caused by depression.

Depression is a very real and complex health condition that can affect anyone, even those who might otherwise seem to have it all together. In fact, one in four women and one in eight men experience depression at some point in their lives. Depression can be triggered by a combination of such factors as biochemistry, genetics and environment. Regardless of the cause, the most important thing to know about depression is that it’s treatable.

The first step to treating depression is acknowledging it. To acknowledge it, we must understand what it looks like. Since many of us spend a significant number of hours at work, employers and co-workers can help tackle depression by learning how it can manifest itself in the workplace. Here are some examples:

Read full article on The Business Times.