Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

"UNTIL recently the most common causes of long-term sick leave and benefits claims was back pain.

But experts writing in the British Medical Journal said common mental disorders, such as work-related stress and depression, were now more frequently reported in cases of employees being off work."

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/me...ie_stakes.html

Wondered what people thought of this. I should state a personal interest having been signed off before with stress, anxiety and depression - I know, you thought I was such a happy go lucky fella ;) I'm also hoping that admission might also ward off some of the less sympathetic out there (yeah I'm sure there are people who blag it but I know several people who have been in a similar situation to me).

To my mind (!) there is clearly not enough being done to combat these illnesses - the provision of psychiatric support is currently woeful.

Anyway, Casualty is on - I'm feeling right down again :D

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

But both these things are killers...

I know people that have suffered from stress and depression it is not nice

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

That is very true. I found the anxiety is the worst to deal with. Despite my posts I like to think I'm a rational person, but anxiety is totally irrational. and you know that, but still can't rationalise it. Horrible. And the waiting list here for treatment (excluding anti-depressants) is 10 months. Anyone out there fancy training as a therapist - must be a lot of jobs out there! :)

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

having suffered due to a rather nasty industrial injury i can wholeheartedly state it is not a very pleasant experience :( , it seems to be a growing trend where i work , quite a few ppl off or have been off with stress lately and in a relatively small workforce of around 200 ppl it makes it worse for the ppl who are left behind to deal with the increased workload , kind of a vicious circle i reckon :(

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

This is such a big problem in the UK, one of the highest. Everyone suffers from these but some have it worse, so much so that it becomes a big problem. Anxiety is one of the worst, especially about your health. I wonder how many people have become ill though worrying about health?

I am a pretty happy person and if i am depressed it isnt long before I can turn myself around. I am quite lucky. This is certainly an overlooked problem and needs to be addressed.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I have seen first hand the results of anxiety, stress and depression and the effcts of these should not be underestimated as they can have a profound effect on families lives.
There has always been an inherrant suspicion of those claiming to suffer from such ailments as andyl has indicated, but for those who have genuine illnesses the effects are long lasting and more 'real' than any physical injury.
Anti-depressents and other forms of medication are only the start and I would agree that more counselling and other services are required to provide a more effective long term form of treatment.
I have seen ordinary people go from a rational, sensible state to being sectioned under the mental health act due in part to not being taken seriously in the first instance.
There are no stright forward answers though,as all of this treament costs a great deal of money which is difficult to meet from current NHS funding. The emotional cost, however, is incalcuable IMO

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

apologies , if you are suffering from depression , you dont just turn yourself around and get on with it , not being personal there you understand :angel:

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Sorry, what i mean is that I dont feel drepressed enough to make it a problem. Just feel down. Thats what i mean about everyone suffering from it but not having a serious problem. While others have it much worse that is is a big problem.

I wasnt, or at least didnt mean, to put my kind of depression anywhere near the levels when it becomes a problem

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Appreciate those sentiments Damien. FYI though, I'm a pretty happy person generally (except when on some threads here ;) ) but the whole depression/anxiety thing is a bugger cos, like a virus I suppose, it can hit at pretty much any time. And whilst you can be happy as Larry (anyone know why that geezer was so chirpy?) you can end up avoiding situations because you think they might trigger symptoms. That can be pretty debilatating and affect relationships whilst to all outward (and to a degree inward) intents you are happy.

EDIT: Just seen your post #8 - knew that :) Cheers!

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

If it's the job that's making them stressed/depressed, i.e. not personal problems, it's very hard to turn yourself around. The prospect of turning up for work can be draining. You can change jobs, but the prospect of the interview won't be a help. To some people, the interview can be a nightmare.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

i wasnt talking about serious depression. I am lucky enough never to have been seriously depressed. There should be a different term really

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

The problems really begin when there's nothing obvious that's causing it.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

would that not heading towards paranoia though , just a thought :angel: , personally i would have thought the majority of ppl who suffer from depression would have a 'trigger' so to speak , of course this is only my opinion :)

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I don't think I will ever understand these two things. It's just not in my nature to get really depressed (or stressed) about life - I am natually quite layed back and just take things as they come. That's not to say I don't get sad, or angry, about things sometimes - but not to the degree that this means.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

True

EDIT: Actually, I'll qualify that because I can point to specific work related causes. But once you're susceptible the triggers can be very minor (or seem it to others)
__________________

Before I start, I'm not having a pop at you in any way Paul. I spread love, peace and a generally warm feeling (though that might meam I've drunk too much).

I think Damien makes a valid point about the term 'depression'. It's a debased term now because people do think it's about being down but it's not really like that. Can't eat, sleep and do many normal things. It is difficult to understand without having suffered it I think (but I think too much ;) )

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I have a nephew who was struck suddenly out of the blue at 18 in the middle of his A- levels with depression.At 28 he is still suffering.He has never held a job,never took his A-levels,never got to university.I suspect he will never achieve all that the rest of us do.I feel so bad when speaking to my sister because she asks after my two children...I contemplated not actually phoning her to say that my daughter had passed her A-levels,got into uni,got her degree..

Depression is an evil condition.For some it's like having a terminal illness that destroys your life but you don't die.

When I look at the photos of my nephew when he was small I find myself crying..He doesn't deserve to be this way... :(

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Paul hasnt told you this as he probally thinks he needs my consent to do so. I suffer from bi-polar, which is quite an extreme case of depression. Paul used to think that it was all in my head, I wish!!!!
I have had to take a hell of a lot of time off work to get my medication sorted out and so I can go see a shrink and sort my problems out. I was like coggys nephew I felt a total let down to society, and then I met Paul and had the boys which made me think, I need to do something right and just and I found my choice in a career which shuns mental health, even though a lot of referals I do is to go and be seen by the mental health team.
Yes it is a real illness and it is about time people sat up and listened to us, we are not mad!! Like a colleague once labelled me, we are not outcasts, we need to be taken seriously and no we do not kill each other, just misunderstood!!!!!

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

tell me about it, i am currently on a waiting list for CBT to see if that can turn things around, but atleast im not too hopeless i managed to unpack and setup a dell pc package and everything went smoothly! tonight, not rocket science but often when things go completely pair shaped then you start on a downward spiral.

i often sit down and think (thinking is your worst enemy) how can people live their lives as hectic as they do, long hours, little or no breaks then be expected to 'wind down' at home.... i suppose there are oher things if you have a girlfreind or family it takes some stress away, or in other cases creates stress.

society is becoming more and more labour intensive, everyone has a diffarent job to do, some more tasking than others but a job is a job and working long hours and being under stress to achieve targets or productivity rotas is something that would get to me certainly!

the bottom line is that in this day and age there are people who are 'tough nuts' and dont faulter under pressure, but thats mainly down to self belief a sucessful person in life will never go down, i have rarely seen it happen, thats because achieving in life and doing things others can dream of doing is an achievement in itself, no matter how big or small, whether it be an 'executive' position, to a millionare tycoon, as humans you want to further yourself more and more, but its whether things fall in to place or not....for some it comes easy for others it doesent and it never will happen.

apologies for the babble :)

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Kronas nobody is tough, trust me on this. Before I went to work in the private sector Iwould have never belived it. A 45 yr old managing director came on to the ward crying to sectioned as he had enough of society. I know this guy and I was gobsmacked!!!
He seemed a tough nut to crack, owned a sucessful nursing home business and car dealership, but could not cope anymore. You see it happens to all of us and I mean all of us!!!!! I started To feel the way I did when I was17 and it has never ever gone away, **** I have even tried to taken my life on various times, but I am still here!!!! Life is crap and it does not care who it picks on to shed it's load I am sorry to say and I do understand where you are comming from just ask Paul!!!!

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I am not sure whether to agree or disagree? If you are suffering from depression then you have got to take positive action to overcome this. Don't just bottle it all up and think of nothing else. Give your mind something to do. I find coming on here and getting involved with problems and discussions helps take my mind off other things. Playing fast action games can stop you concentrating on the negativity in your life. Take good care of your appearance and your body as if you let yourself go it only depresses you even more. Get out and about (if you are able) and involved with things.

I have suffered really bad depression but have got to grips with it for most of the time. Occasionally I have a bad patch but nothing like as bad as it used to be. My problems started with my physical conditions (Parkinson's Disease, osteoarthritis in both hips and lower back and hypertension to name the main problems) which seemed to strike all at once. Depression really struck in and took some overcoming. A pain management course at the hospital was a great help in understanding better my medical condition and developing strategies to help cope with life. A lot of fear and depression stems from lack of knowledge on what you are going through and fearing the worst regarding the future. Realistic goal setting can show you that life is not really as bad as you thought it was.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Hey bud I am nurse and an agony aunt, I keep my mind busy. I am also a wife to Paul, we have suffered from depression [I still am!], but these thoughts still creep into your head. you cannot keep your mind busy for 24 hours or you would end up burnt out.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Good to know that i'm not the only f**ked up one here ;) Hope that wasn't too flippant. But as we're all in on a Saturday night....... :) Now that was flippant!












Ooops. Just realised we should really be discussing how those stats can be reduced (no disrespect to those with back pain! :) )

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

No trust me it is more common than you think!!!!! I just wish more people would be honest about it!!!!!

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Its sad :(

I think it does need more attention because it is seen as people just being sad instead of seen as a medical condidtion which is why it may not be taken seriously yet.

Is there a medical term for it? Is there some sort of cause or is it more in the head rather than an actual change in the body? As far as i know theres no treatment that works correctly.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Call me cynical... But the fact that it is the easiest disease to fake, with no physical symtoms, and its an illness that can last as short or as long as it wants, probably has something to do with it.

If ever you want some time off, its the easiest and safest fake to get your GP to sign off on. He can't really dispute it.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Exactly, "clinical depression" is very extreme to say the least.
You literally can't function normally and are prone to doing crazy things that a rational person wouldn't do.
Take the worst flu you've ever had, multiply that by 10 then add breaking up with a much-loved partner to the equation - that might be close to it.

A lot of people say "I'm depressed" when in reality they are just not in a good mood, or feeling lazy etc - people tend to overreact in our ultra-sensitive "oh so politically correct" environment these days.

BTW - I've never had the misfortune to suffer from clinical depression myself, I just know a lot about it, having an A-Level in Psychology and all...

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

This thread is Brilliant !!! ... some very touching information being exposed so i think i'll join in ... hehehe

I've never had a job and have been on DLA+IS for years, once i was on SDA! This depression thingy grabbed hold of me when i was 14 and have been in it's teeth eversince. So, after a years worth of psychiatric residential care, a couple of 'suicide' attempts and 93 therapy sessions later ... i'm still *****ed up :D

Trouble is, if depression isn't nipped in the bud (as it often isn't) it often leads to all sorts of other neurotic personality disorders, anxiety issues, phobia's ... the list goes on. Eventually all the problems come together and form a self-sustaining nightmare. There is also a physiological consequence on the brain too, after all, the brain and the mind are intricately linked in some kinda 60's love fest 'active feedback loop'!

So, does depression warrent more attention?... abso'*****ing'lutely :D

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

im not disrespecting any other person out there but i do agree that even the toughest of the tough fall, indeed one fo my ex-freinds told me he had a few nervey moments in life, but he overcame them but he coped in his own way and is able to work.. and even though i dont respect him at all because of what hes done in his past and present he has still 'moved on' thats what enables some people to actually progress in life, life is about pleasure happiness and stability but you have to work hard first before you get all that.

everyday i become increasingly disillusioned by the amount of greed, synthetic love illtreatment, and undiplomatic means at which fellow humans can 'progress' on and not have a conscience about them to even know what they are doing is hurting other individuals, to be used and manipulated for their own means.....it seems to be happening all around me and even through other people....

i mean from what im going through now is not as bad as it was a month ago....im always told 'take your medicines and you will be fine' yet i was getting worse and worse, i became crippled almost to the extent i lost my appetitie and found it hard to move, anxiety attacks and mood swings, coupled with an overdose and suicidal attempts...

im off medication and even though im not feeling too good i can atleast venture to some sort of normality, i feel the exact opposite to how i was a month ago, i know medication for depression seriously is detrimental to your health but i took the risk and almost paid the price with my life.....

right now im calm, finding some focus and smiling, and not feeling all that crap, yes im down and out most of the time as the minutes and days pass im not feeling 'the pressure' and i do think some of my symptoms were made worse by the medication which was changed and changed again.

there is medical evidence to suggest some medication will actually cause suicidal tendences...

i dont know where im going in life and i do know that there are people who have lost an arm or arms legs, eyesight, millions starve around the world, children men and women, orphaned kids and countless other people wiith degenerative diseases and so on....and im here with almost all my facultys intact with a loving caring family.....but it doesent change the way you are as a person, because deep down in your guts, your heart of hearts you have to believe in yourself, be an individual and stand up in the crowd and position yourself in life where your comfortable and happy.....its easier said than done but its about hope too, that can be lost very easily..

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I think you guys dont realise there are at least 2 kinds of depression or perhaps a better way to put it is that that 'depression' describes 2 kinds of conditions.

Damian's interpretation is one of the commonly used ones - being 'depressed' ie. feeling down in the dumps about something - one where it's just an everyday feeling which you can turn around by your own thoughts or a pick me up. This kind of depression is one you probably have control over.

The 'serious' depression which is probably the one most people get signed off for is what I know as 'clinical depression' - something which involves a chemical imbalance. This kind is one where the sufferer has less or no control over their state.

http://www.progesterone.com/clinical_depression.html

If you suffer from clinical depression you need to behave responsibily - ie. following doctors orders to ensure recovery. For example dont mix your medication with depression inducing alchohol!

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I have to agree with much of what you say....(Oh dear theres a first) :D

I suffered stress and anyone who worked with me would say "escapee's so laid back and doesn't care, how could he get stressed" just because someone doesn't show the signs is no indication. I used to look happy and carefree in work, but be very moody at home, often loosing my temper and sometimes bursting into tears over the slightest thing.
I had a bad patch recently, and had my six sessions with some useless councillor. He has no answer because he realises I know what triggers it, so he cant tell me anything I dont already know.

We have one guy in our department who had to be taken home by taxi earlier this week due to stress. He gets triggered by the same issues as I do, he bottles it up but I simmer and explode, My boss is also suffering stress, he has been off sick with colds etc a few times recently but had never had a day off in seven years previously, it all ties in withe the stress he's getting. He has started to suffer from psoriasis the same as myself, mine has been triggered again by the three useless ********* that we have in our department, mainly one with his head up all the bosses a****.

Never think "It will never happen to me" I never thought I would be affected by stress.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Well this has been an interesting thread - so many of us who vehemently disagree on so many other things united by our f**ked up heads. I agree with Neurotic Cat, interesting and comforting to see others discussing their issues.

Punky, would I dare to call you cynical?! Of course I would ya cynical young codger! :D Actually I'm not sure it is that easy to fake the symptoms - and certainly not wise as a GP is just likely to take the easy option of bunging you on anti-depressants (although my husband and wife duo have advised other options, including more exercise and alternative therapies. I do reike weekly - not entirely convinced by it's Japanese healing art claims but by heck it's relaxing and nice. I recommend it). I'm sure there are those who do think they can throw a sickie by faking it but as this thread has rather dramatically exposed, these conditions are horribly widespread. And the help currently on offer is woefully inadequate.

EDIT: Escapee, you're laid back?!! ;) I'm a simmer till I explode type too though now I'm self employed and taken the decision to be spectacularly unambitious (and therefore cut my workload right down) I'm much more content. Poorer, but more content.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Well, when's all said and done, it will come down to either accept your word for it. If you fake a bad leg or back, then they'll be some swelling, or discolouration, etc that you can't fake, and you'll get caught on. You may not limp consistently as well, for example.

With depression, there is no way for anyone to prove you aren't depressed, not even with a CT scan.

I would just like to clear something up. My comments did appear a bit callous with regards to the tone of the thread. I posted my comment before reading everyone else's. What I was referring to was all reports a while ago saying more people are skiving off work than ever before, and depression is a good way swing it.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Didn't think you were being callous Punk. I still don't think it's that easy to fake because depression/anxiety brings with it physical manifestations. Trust me, I looked like a bag of sh*te when I first went to the docs because I hadn't slep or eaten properly for days.

As for people bunking off work, well if that's true, then it may be pertinent to ask why.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Playing at depression to avoid work is dangerous..you may have to keep up the pretence long enough to actually get depressed.

Much better to fake a back ache which is much easier to maintain as a lie...and back ache is the highest used excuse.Apart from the common cold back ache is the reason used for more work absence than any other.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I totally agree with the people who say that you need to have experienced depression to truly understand it. The last thing you need from someone who is seeing you crying, hopeless and full of grief is to be told to 'pull yourself together', like I was told. It is so not that easy.

Personally, I think depression is not purely genetic, neither is it purely environmental. It's both. Today's society is perfect for generating depression victims - fast, full of demands and deadlines, it requires you to follow a strict schedule and you devote more time to the economy, at work, than you devote to yourself. No wonder so many people feel so demoralised and helpless - the genetic part of it is that some of us are more sensitive to these feelings. Well that is what I feel anyway.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I agree with the symptoms being physically seen in many cases, I break out in psoriasis very badly. I was absolutely covered from head to toe, and didn't realise that it was stress related. My current boss has also developed the same condition since we have had a new director in charge of our division!

I have suffered again since late last year, the counselling sessions are fairly useless. I have however been able to taken a different approach this time and tackled the source of my stress head on, I retreated into a depressed state and let things go on around me that were stressing me. I had a change of direction a few weeks ago and came out fighting, I have now caused the people giving me stress more trouble than they can handle. I can now see they are showing some of the same early symptoms I have suffered myself and I must admit in a callous sort of way I'm enjoying the payback.
I have decided that I will not take a back seat and let others take over, I gave them enough freedom to make a complete hash of things, and now I'm rubbing their nose in it.

I don't tend to get stressed by the pressure of work, I seem to get stressed by the frustration caused by others. I am fairly down to earth and honest about my capabilities, but I am taking great delight in turning it around and smashing these bulls****ers into the ground.

I suppose the counsilling sessions have made me channel my aggression back at the cause. :tu:

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Damn near impossible to stop it though.

If you're an insomniac, if you're off work, if you're lonely, you end up with too much time, and you tend to fill it with thinking.

I've found the best way to get by is to keep busy, just to stop you thinking, but that's not always possible when you're not physically able to get out of bed, and leaving the house doesn't fell you with joy.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

It still sneaks in though. When I was home the other day and I had 5 minutes peace to myself, those bloody thoughts krept back into my head, as to why on earth am I still here and why nothing ever seems to go right for us and why carnt somebody give is a break. It is horrible it just feels like this big dark dank cloud is overhead and every think I think always ends up terrible. I want it go bit it wont.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I hope you do know that this is not the case. I belive that the human race is basically good

The thing about this as punky has said is that it is a very hard thing to prove/dis-prove. I dont belive many people fake it. But they could be a case that some people see this problem in the media, in the real world and start to think they have clincal depression. Worrying about this would send them in a downward sprial and actual clincal depression then starts. Although i am not sure and certainly am not saying it happpens to people here

I am not sure if that happens but it may, one of the problems is that you then worry about your illness and this makes you more depressed causing a horrible circle that needs to be broken as soon as possible. Also what people have said about thinking, if you have too much time to yourself and not enough things to keep you busy you will end up with a problem, no matter how 'solid' you are. A lack of interaction with other humans does cause mental illness

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Kronas, didn't really take on your comment before but I do totally agree. There seems to be a lack of caring, of conscience, of principle, out there these days which I find depresssing and disturbing. Sh*t, maybe we are right and everybody else needs the diazepam?!!

Very cathartic all this, whatever ;)

So can we all form a F**ked Up Club? :D
__________________

Are you saying time to get off CF and talk to real people?! ;)

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Well having read a lot of what poeple have posted, I can agree with a lot.

I am suffering from depression, I do not know why, I have everything I would want out of life, a nice house (rented though) a wonderfull fiance, every consumer durable under the sun, a good job for now until they get sick of me though.

On top of that I have always suffered from panic attacks and anxiety, you know that feeling that you are going to die when you are in a surrounding as serene as a fish shop (aquatics not a chippy!).

I am only just coming around to accepting that I have a problem and have gotten started on a course of medication, I have been to see therapists in the past and done relaxation and stuff but it just is not working any more, hopefully the meds will.

Oh well thats my 2p worth.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I would say the more the merrier to this thread but not terribly appropriate! Accepting, or understanding, that you have an issue is the biggest hurdle in my experience. When I first went to the docs (with my exceptionally patient partner) I just burst into tears on the street (Market Street, Diamond ;) - sorry local knowledge) straight afterwards. Not entirely sure why but I think a good part of it was the realisation that something fundamentally wasn't right and that I'd taken a step to rectify that.

Good luck with your own demons

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Strangly enough, I went with my fiance...

Just out of curiosity, is this normal practice to go with ones partner?

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

well mine dragged me down...dunno if that is normal ;)

EDIT: Guilty of being flippant again. If your partner will go with you, or encourage you to go, it's a sure sign of support. So that's got to be a good thing.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I actually went on my own, I went twice about my psoriasis but couldn't bring myself to mention the real issue. When I went for the third visit this time a more considerate male doctor, instead of giving me another prescription for cream he started asking if I was anxious about anything to trigger the psoriasis off.

I opened up about my problem, and couldn't believe I was talking about it. I got sent to counselling sessions as a result, I did however refuse any form of medication.

I used to blow my top years ago when I got stressed, and it would all come out of my system. I think my stress in later life has been caused by things that are not as easy to pinpoint or explode about. Saying that I have exploded recently, one example was in a directors office! :D He sat up and took notice, and as a result it has been very positive.

I am trying to blow my top a bit more often ;)

The other strange thing about stress, is I can "joke" about it. I guess that makes it difficult for people to seriously think I am affected by it, but stress affects everyone differently.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Paul dragged me down as he found me in a right state, he goes all the time with me, he is still scarred of the mood swings though, apparently I go aphasic as soon as my mood changes or I stop talking, I do not even know that this is happening.
Kronas the problem with society nowadays that it is a 24hr contstant rush, humans do care but some poeple are just to scarred to show it, if you do they are called soft, so people just show it in different ways. I do not agree with the statement that you made though. You want to try and do 12 hr shift with me, and then you will see every emmotion under the sun. When Paul crushed his leg, nothing mattered, the money, the house, the car and the good job I had. the only thing that mattered was Paul and if he was going to survive, those 12 hrs were sheer hell. I still have nightmares now. I dont know in which part of society you have been looking at. But try looking at your own family and friends to get a view.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Escapee, Well I once turned around in front of an open plan office of 60 people and screamed at a fellow manager to 'f- off'. She said 'pardon' so I said...... :)

To be fair (to me at least) she deserved it and I was very popular for having took her on (she treated everybody like sh*te - she's the MD now. Of a fast sinking ship mind you) But, even though because of her reputation I didn't need to, I resigned. The change of jobs was what sparked my major episode (off for 6 weeks, five days into my new job. Oops) which then led to me going self employed. Every cloud, as they say.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I told my ward manager to do that and then I walked! And then the next day I went to work for the nursing agency that I have been with for a long time! I had been wanting to walk for a while, so when I found out that she would not let me transfer to another hospital I told her where to go, chucked me badge on the floor. And everybody cheered!!! Needless to say she is no long ward manager

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Sometimes it works to your advantage, my current director has taken a different view since I had a go at him. I dont think he's scared of me, but he now knows I'm no push over but prepared to do more than my share.

I had another guy in work have an outburst, and throw all the paperwork up in the air when I got on his nerves a few weeks ago. I didn't hold it against him, because it was my fault. I was stressed myself and should of just left him to carry on with the task, I was so worked up he blew his top.

He apologised to me, and I said "No, it was my fault" I didn't feel angry towards him, I was actually embarassed because he made me realise how I had been acting!

It was very worrying at one point, I have never been violent to anyone around me. I would however say if someone I didn't like had upset me and got me into one of my moods.....who knows.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

im glad you agree :p:

ill join :p:



i find real people boring and not stimulating at all, then again i dont think i have right circle of freinds to say everyone in the world is which i dont believe they are....but i prefer spending time on here really...


oh its been the case with everyone i come in to contact with, i dont wish to label everyone the same but experiances show that people who are willing to help are only there to see what they can get out of it for themselves, again just my experiance, i know its not the same for everyone but for the majority of the time it has been, certainly for me anyway.




i dont think its an easy thing to fake if there is a problem then doctors and psychologists and councillors will spot a fake no matter how hard you try....

i think it rather depends on what you find 'mentally stimulating' interaction with other human beings is fine and recommended however its not always the best direction to pulll yourself out of a whole from, more problems can be harvested with others such as disagreements or influence of other things such as illegal substances.....it can happen!

tell me about it :erm:


[QUOTE=mrlipring
I've found the best way to get by is to keep busy, just to stop you thinking, but that's not always possible when you're not physically able to get out of bed, and leaving the house doesn't fell you with joy. [/QUOTE]

you can try and do that to the best of your ability but the fact remains if there is an underlying problem then its just causing a distraction temporarily you will go back to suffering once your alone or have some spare time on your hands!

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I hear ya, kronas.

I've found, however, that medication (and i was on all sorts over a periof of years in my early teens) and therapy didn't work, so avoidance is all i have. :)

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

im telling it like it is because im feeling it right now and have done so for the most part of tonight i found my trigger and its not an easy things to get rid of because it involves a person and my current signiture will tell you what that is!

and oh my problems have been going on long before that so atleast i can say thats its one of the things that plague my mind, but when you cant systamatically find the root cause it becomes killer, no one else can seem to guide you either.

how many times has a person got to pick himself up before he gets sick of doing it!

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Love is hard, the first time I did an overdose was over a boy, I felt pretty hurt and abused as he only used my as he found out that my parents were loaded, so he took me for a ride. Thats what triggered my depression off.
Yeah the drugs only work for some time, but then those old demons come back to haunt you. I even branched out and did my RMN, to see their view on mental health. But these guys are stuck behind a mountain of paperwork, as I found out during my training and red tape that they cannot do their job properly which is a shame. I have even had ECT when I was 18 as they thought I needed an adjustment in my brain, but all that did was make me worse. I have been sectioned for 6 months, but all that did was make me stew in my own juice. I have had group/ single councilling, but it does not work and it hurts big style. I have od on various occasions, but never worked. I have even attacked the one I love, but he will not tell anyone as it will get me locked up for good.
Work are cool they never give me long term contracts as I get fed up of being stuck in one place, infact these guys are the best company I have ever worked for, they give me breathing space when I need it.
Kronas if you ever need to talk Im here. Just PM me and it will be confidential okies. If I can help you I will.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I mentioned earlier in this thread about a guy I work with who has been off from work for a long period with stress, and last week had to be taken home in a taxi. He has asked for about two years if he can work 3 days a week, unfortunately the company has refused this request. The guy is very clever, and I have said its better having him in work for 3 days a week to look after all the awkward little jobs, than not have him in at all.

He got very worked up early last year when a contractor was taken on full time, and allowed to carry on working 30 hours a week. This guy was allowed this for "Religious reasons". However health reasons for the guy suffering stress is not seen as important as "religious reasons", I think the root of the problem is the company afraid with the religious guy taking them to court for being racist/discriminating against him. The guy suffering stress went sick last week after the muslim guy transferred to our department working 30 hours a week, the religious guy transfered into our department at a time when we were having a serious move around.

He instantly said "I cant lift anything I have strained my shoulder on the weekend", funny that though its exactly the same excuse he used when in our department before. When the department he came from moved, he went off sick.

So, it looks like HR are afraid of being anti-religion or racist, but discriminating against someone with a health problem is OK. I do not blame the company, but it goes to show who has power in this country to make companies afraid!

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

There are laws to protect people with a health problem, the same protection religion has

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Companies like to think that depression and mental health does not exist and therefore wont recognise it. They tell you to get a grip and get on with it. I am sick of them bending over backwards for certain people but not for others. When I worked for the NHS they did not want to even know, they just told me to stop being on the sick or go, so I went. But yet they have just made a chapel for some of the nurses in the hospitial, because it was in the wrong place and it offened Allah!!! Just what do these people get off on??
The goverment can look after the visitors {I am being polite} but struggles to care for their own, no wonder we are looking to get out of this country as it is going down the pan rapidly.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Lets move back onto the subject of depression rather than immigration/race/religion/politcal correctness:)

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

it sounds like there needs to be something similar to AA but for stressed/depression sufferers.

Mind Anonomous or something?

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

I disagree, health does not frighten a company as much as being racist or discrimination on religious or other grounds. How often is a company taken to court because of discrimination for health reasons compared to lets just say others to keep it on topic.

The company is not a bad one, but they have told the guy affected that if he is allowed to work 3 days a week due to health reasons, they would have to make that option available to everyone. Surely that also goes for the other guys reason who is getting what he wants!

I think it stinks personally, I suggested to the guy suffering badly from stress that he should convert to muslim and then ask to reduce hours!

I am still keeping my points to stress, just pointing out a current situation where its not being taken seriously. :mad:

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

My understanding is that under current legislation, if an employee makes an official notification of work related stress, then they must act. I could be wrong (a rare admission :) )

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

that was my understanding as well...

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

hi , my name is paul , i used to feel like a raging homicidal lunatic , after a course of happy pills and a ( forced ) change of job , i feel much better in myself , most of the time , sometimes i feel as though i am starting to slide down the slope again :( , what i reckon i need is a resolution to my compo claim for my accident and then hopefully i will be able to rap in my job , say bye bye and do something i want to do in stead of something i have to do to pay the bills , not sure what it will be , but i know it will be soomething i want to do :tu:

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

yes I'm almost certain you're right.


this link might be useful to some people:-
http://www.mind.org.uk

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Some of you may wish to look at some of the posts on this thread which show a decided lack of sympathy to someone with obvious mental health problems: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...t=26864&page=1

I'm not a self harmer but my partner works with people who do self harm and it's a difficult and increasing problem. To see people wishing someone dead because of the cost of an, admittedly bizarre, court case is not pleasant.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

That's another thing though, people with no experience of this are often unsympathetic.

They can imagine the inconvenience of having a broken leg, or insomnia, or chronic diarrhoea, but something as intangible and unimaginable as depression and/or self-harming is pretty hard to imagine. Self-harming is a pretty alien concept to anyone who's not been there. It's pretty hard to grasp for many who HAVE been there.

I'm of the opinion that anything is fair game to joke about, you've just got to be careful in whose presence you make the jokes. In a public forum like this, you know you're making comments that are potentially offensive. As for people making comments that show a lack of sympathy, why should they feel sympathy for a criminal?

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

:mad:

After telling everyone that unless they have experance they are often unsympathetic, that comment is out of bounds! Are you telling me he shouldnt be treated the same because he is a criminal!? Depression is a serious issue, many people on here have showed how awful it really is and youre telling me that he shouldnt have any sympathy because he is a criminal?

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I dont understand why he should feel sympathetic towards a criminal who's ill.

I cant say I give a toss about criminals therefore I agree I shall save my sympathy for more deserving people.

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it makes a mockery of the claims of concern people make if they can switch them off simply because of the type of person

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Well said that Damien. A hugely disproportionate number of people in prison have mental health issues. As a civilised society (although sometimes one does wonder) we should provide treatment to those that need it, regardless of background. I don't ask that people have sympathy with criminals (although an understanding of the underlying causes of some crime might not go amiss) but you can have sympathy with their ill health.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

for me Damien, the feelings of sympathy is something that's switched on and it doesnt happen for criminals.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

So,

Getting back on topic, has anyone ever done a sickie for the title and blamed it on something else like the flu?

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

No, but I'm going to see how I feel tommorrow morning.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

Yes.

I would say, I have been off sick for small things that I wouldn't normally be off work for like colds etc. I have also seen my boss who seems to be suffering stress, off sick with a cold recently and he's not been off work for over 7 years.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

forum spammers give me ulcers

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

What if the criminal behaviour is derived from the mental illness ? ... the courts recognise it as a factor and the defendant can be considered to have diminished responsibility.

Personally, I always try to tolerate the person and seek to see the behaviour as partially distinctive from the person. As long as they accept responsibility that is.

Re: Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies
 

the problem with employers is they are not generally worried about employees health but rather they show up and do their job, they dont seem to have the distinction between a employee turning up and being half as (or less) productive while under illness such as stress and depression than a fully to near fully fit employee doing his or her best and actually raising productivity levels.