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

[Tricky]

But both these things are killers...

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

Originally Posted by Tricky

But both these things are killers...

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

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!

[paulyoung666]

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

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.

[maxtoralias]

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

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by Damien

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.

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

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

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

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

Originally Posted by Damien

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.

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!

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Damien

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.

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.

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

[mrlipring]

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

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by mrlipring

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

would that not heading towards paranoia though , just a thought , 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

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.

Originally Posted by mrlipring

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

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)
__________________

Originally Posted by Paul M

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.

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 )