We all have to go through a crisis at one point in our lives. Some people were lucky enough to get out of it unscathed while others have to suffer from severe depression. If you are one of those people who are in a very difficult time of life today you should know that you are not alone. Many people are also experiencing the kind of personal crisis that leads them to suffer from depression. If these symptoms of depression are interfering with your productivity levels at work, the following tips may prove to be very helpful for you.
1 – Find help
If you have already been diagnosed with depression then you should start looking for the best kind of treatment. You may also join some support groups where you will also have the chance to share stories with other depression sufferers. These shared stories about others’ experiences will also give you ideas that will help you better cope with your symptoms. Make sure as well that your insurance plan has mental health coverage. If not, please be aware that most insurance companies these days have mental health coverage so be sure to find one for yourself. There are also companies who offer Employee Assistance Programs so try to ask your HR office for any availability of these kinds of programs. If your symptoms of depression become too difficult for you to cope and you find it hard to show up for work then you also need to be aware of the company policies regarding sick days and medical leave. Being absent from work is sometimes inevitable especially when you need to set an appointment with your doctor or therapist. And, being aware of your company’s policies and benefits would greatly help make you feel better despite having depression.
2 – Stay connected
Having bouts with depression should not lead you to prefer isolation. Living a secluded life will only make things worse. This is why you need to stay connected with your friends, not only through Faceboook or Twitter but find time to go out and have dinner with them. Never be ashamed to tell your friends about your condition so they too can also help you overcome it. Having your friends around you is perhaps the most effective form of relief for your symptoms. Medications cannot offer the kind of joy and relief that your friends provide you. You may also check out online for some depression therapy group where you will be exposed to people who are also battling with the symptoms of depression. Joining group therapies will help you learn more coping strategies to try for yourself. Keep your communication lines open especially with your immediate family members. The more you stay connected with the people you love and with the people who care for you the less likely it will be for you to wallow in the symptoms of depression.
3 – Evaluate your goals
Focusing on a given task is perhaps the most difficult thing to do for depression sufferers. This is why you need to check your daily to-do list and make sure that your goals for the day are actually achievable. Having too many things on your list may only lead you to become more depressed at the end of the day when you realize that you were only able to accomplish a few tasks on your list. Be realistic about your goals and make sure that your daily load is not causing you further stress and anxiety. Working while going through depression can also be beneficial because it allows you to shift your focus to your productivity instead of your symptoms but when you have too much on your platter you can also be at risk of being more depressed. Your employer also needs to be aware about your condition and what you can only accomplish so he would also have a good idea of your limitations. If there are days when your symptoms are really giving you a hard time at work, try to ask your colleague or your immediate boss to double check on your work and assignments. People who are going through depression would badly need a very understanding co-workers and a considerate boss. On the other hand, sufferers would also need to be very open about their limitations and see to it that they are communicating well with the people around them to avoid misunderstandings and to be always on track despite their bouts with depression.
About the Author
Ryan Rivera has written hundreds of articles about depression and anxiety. You may check out his Calm Clinic Facebook account for more additional information.
