How Depression Affects Functioning
Depression is an episodic mood state that manifests as emotional distress. Feelings of sadness, emptiness and hopelessness are the most common signs. Depression, however, also affects our physical health and cognitive functioning. Physically we are affected by a reduction in energy. On a cognitive level, there is a reduction in attention, decision-making skills, memory retrieval and thinking speed. While depressed, we are not functioning at our best in all these domains. While the emotions associated with depression are frequently the most distressing, impairments in cognition and physical health often have the most effect at work.
Decreased Productivity
Decreased productivity is usually the first impact depression has on work. It is insidious, usually starting with minor problems such as forgetting details of a project. As feelings of depression and associated impairment increase, so do problems with concentration, decreased interest and attention span. Left unchecked, the problems can increase to the point that one finds it difficult to get anything completed. Problems with sleep and decreased appetite can also decrease energy, which has a negative impact on productivity. Decreased productivity then increases the depressed person's feeling of despair, which leads to further problems with being productive. The process can develop into a cycle that feels impossible to get out of.
Decreased Reliability
Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness frequently accompany depression. These feelings can decrease previously existing enthusiasm and motivation at work. Decreased motivation can result in being late for appointments and failing to meet important deadlines. Procrastination often comes with reduced motivation, and a pattern of putting off things that one does not feel like doing. Decreases in reliability often start small, with arriving a few minutes late for work, but escalate into a pattern of frequent sick days, arriving late and leaving early.
Increased Accidents
Depressed individuals are also a safety risk. Delayed reaction times, impaired eye-hand coordination and preoccupation with the distressing emotional state can lead to a lack of attentiveness. When safety depends upon being alert and focused, depression can create a very dangerous situation. Substance abuse problems are also common with depression. Alcohol or other drugs may be used in an attempt to alleviate the feelings of depression. Regular, frequent use, on or off the job, can create further impairment and complicate an already dangerous situation.
Increased Interpersonal Problems
Irritability is a common sign of depression. Co-workers are frequently impacted by this trait. As depression and irritability increase, others become intolerant of the constant complaining, blaming and lack of cooperation. Depressed people frequently experience an urge to isolate or withdraw from social interactions with others, which could further increase tension through misunderstandings. Also, other workers often find themselves working to compensate for the depressed person's reduced productivity. When these factors are combined, the work environment can begin to experience morale problems, leading to increased strife and a general decrease in productivity.
References
- Understanding Depression: What We Know and What You Can Do About It; J. Raymond DePaulo Jr. and Leslie Alan Horvitz;2003.
- Understanding Depression; Patricia Ainsworth M.D.; 2000.
