August 08, 2007

High Stress Jobs Increase Risk For Depression and Anxiety

A study published by the journal of Psychological Medicine found that high stress jobs could increase risk of developing depression and/or anxiety. High stress can be exceptionally harmful to those already suffering from schizophrenia and other mental disorders. This study shows that it may in fact bring out disorders in previously healthy individuals.

The study found that of the 1000 employees, age 32, 45% of the depression and anxiety experienced was attributed to to stressful work that resulted in excessive workload and extreme time pressures.

Dr Maria Melchior, lead author, says, "Our study shows that work stress appears to bring on diagnosable forms of depression and anxiety in previously healthy young workers - in fact the occurrence is two times higher than among workers whose jobs are less demanding."

High stress jobs that can increase depression or anxiety are not just the typical jobs one thinks of; such as, lawyers, high-pressure business or marketing positions. Any job that involved public scrutiny, even chefs in large restaurants, increase stress and can create depressive symptoms.

Read Full Article: Stressful job link to depression (BBC)

Journal Source:
Work stress precipitates depression and anxiety in young, working women and men (2007). Psychological Medicine.


Comments

I originally developed SZ because I was stressed out about my job and money and education. Now I'm a server at a restaurant, and anyone who's served knows that people are demanding and impatient and it's a very stressful job. I hate it. It makes my symptoms soo much worse, but what else can I do...? I need money for college... It's all a negative feedback loop. There's no way out. Sometimes all this just doesn't seem worth it anymore...

Posted by: CorySchulz at August 8, 2007 09:45 PM

I have the same feelings as Corey described above. My job is very stressful and I actually had a breakdown in a yearly review meeting. What happened was this: My boss brought me in to let me know that I was doing a good job but that he wished he could count on me a little more. He brought up the fact that I called in sick 3 days the previous week. I wanted to scream at him and let him know that the reason why I was sick was b/c I was having stomach cramps, bowel problems, more severe than normal sleep problems, and some other problems that I had to stay home for 3 days that week. I went to the doctor during these sick days and he diagnosed the problems as resulting from over-stress. And then my boss says he wishes he could count on me more. What more can I do. I pushed my body to the breaking point for my job b/c I need the money and they just treat you as disposable. There is something very wrong with the way the world works when you give your all (including your health) to your job and they say they wish they could count on you more. That is BS. Well, got to get back to my stressful job. They wonder why there is so much mental health issues anymore. Boss' pressure their employees way too much now a days. I don't like the way the world is getting and I feel sorry for the next generation b/c it is only getting worse. Long story short, I still experience an exasperation of my symptoms b/c of the stress from my job and I am not in a position right now that I can get a different job. So my job is slowly taking me apart. Hopefully I will be able to rebuild myself whenever I can get a new job. I feel like I need to quit working b/c of health issues, but I can't. This sucks.

Posted by: Jeremy A. at August 9, 2007 05:24 AM

When I read Cory's and Jeremy's comments I feel very sorry for their predicament, while at the same time knowing that things can get better. I would suggest they get voc rehab counseling and take an assesment to see what your interests, capacities, and personality traits are. Your state voc rehab should do this if you're functioning well enough - and both of you guys obviouisly are. I used my states voc rehab program and am now in a job that i like. I don't dread going to work anymore because of my experience at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Also - the story of the college professor who has schizophrenia is very encouraging!!! See yesterdays entry by sadmizn - the administrator. Things will get better, just keep trucking!!

Posted by: Brian G at August 9, 2007 07:33 AM

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