Toolbox Talk Tuesday

Toolbox Talk Tuesday: “Depression And Personal Safety”

Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.), the father of medicine, thought depression was caused by an excess of black bile, a humor once believed to be secreted by the kidneys or spleen and to cause sadness or melancholy.

The Egyptians were first to recognize depression and treat it with the power of suggestion, known today as hypnosis.

Doctors and psychologists of the 17th through 19th centuries used the word “melancholia” for depression.

Today, depression is regarded as more than a mood disorder.

It is considered “a serious illness that causes memory and thinking, mood, physical, and behavioural changes.” It affects how one feels, thinks, sleeps, and acts.

Depression can disrupt an entire life routine, ranging from the work world to the social world.

In addition to affecting eating and sleeping, it can reduce sex drive, diminish self-esteem and one’s outlook on life, and can affect how one acts.

According to the Mayo Clinic, depression exhibits itself in four different ways:

1. Mood changes: sad, helpless, hopeless; crying spells; agitation and irritability; bored easily, nothing of interest; recurrent thoughts of suicide.

2. Cognitive changes: trouble remembering details, concentrating, and making decisions; difficulty accomplishing tasks.

3. Physical changes: sleeps and/or eats too much or too little; diminished sex drive; lack of energy (fatigue); general aches and pains.

4. Behaviour changes: neglects appearance; loses track of things; withdraws from people; conflicts with people; misses deadlines; poor self-esteem; gloomy outlook.

One is said to have major depression if exhibiting at least four of the symptoms from any of these categories and having been depressed for at least two weeks.

If exhibiting at least two symptoms with at least two weeks of depression, one then is thought to have a mild case known as “dysthymia.”

Although not everyone reacts the same way to the same circumstances, potential triggers include stressful situations; death and other losses (job for example); relationship problems; major life events (children leaving home); past experiences (child abuse or war); chemical dependence; prescription medications; medical conditions (cancer, heart disease, sleep apnea, chemical imbalance); chronic pain; and psychological issues.

Depression originally was thought primarily to be a woman’s disease, but many men are struck by the disease.

Yet they have tended to cover it up because, according to past social myths, men are not supposed to be vulnerable.

Thus, many men have chosen to place themselves at risk rather than acknowledge the symptoms simply due to passé attitudes and myths.

Stressful occupations are a factor in depression. Among them are doctors and various managers; the gravity of their decisions may cause self-doubt and self-criticism.

Depressed workers are more accident-prone because of depression’s interference with concentration and focus.

For example, a depressed worker might lose a finger on a machine due to prolonged inattention.

Another depressed worker might cause his/her forklift to turn over and fall to the ground due to improper handling and failure to follow safe operating procedures from the inability to pay close attention to his/her actions.

Also, a depressed worker might miss work because of sickness.

People who suffer from a mild form of depression often have poor physical and social functioning and risk future, more severe depression if they remain untreated.

Supervisors should be trained not to moralize.

In fact, this might only aggravate the condition. Instead, they should inform workers about available resources through the employer and the need to use them.

Such information usually is available in the Human Resources department.

Treatment has a high success rate; but not everyone wants to seek treatment because of the possible stigma this might carry.

Regarding any possible stigma, we are more fortunate today by having greater knowledge of this disease than what was available more than 100 years ago, when the general attitude,

was that anyone with depression (or any mental disorder) was to be committed and separated from society.

Before approaching the employee, supervisors should document the signs of depression, such as:

• marked decrease in job performance

• frequently missed deadlines

• working more slowly than usual

• making excuses for not completing work

• frequently calling in sick

• appearing listless; unable to concentrate

• frequently looking distracted or “faraway”

• showing decreased involvement in work

• withdrawal from interaction with co-workers

We must first acknowledge how we are truly feeling and seek some form of help. To manage depression effectively a good support system is required.

We must also recognize that no one is immune to depression and anyone can be afflicted at any time.

Compassion is therefore very vital to a depressed worker coping and recovering.

We also must not put undue pressure on ourselves such as setting unrealistic goals or placing too much emphasis or worry about things beyond our control.

The key to controlling depression is to manage the various stress factors that we encounter daily.

Our level of vulnerability depends on how we initially react to these stress factors which also depends on our personality and ideologies.

Strategies to manage external stressors include lifestyle factors such as eating a healthy diet, being physically active and getting enough sleep — which help boost your resiliency.

Not all stress stems from things that happen to you. Much of our stress response is self-induced.

Those feelings and thoughts that pop into your head and cause you unrest are known as internal stressors.

Examples of internal stressors include:

• Fears.

• Uncertainty.

• Beliefs. These might be attitudes, opinions or expectations.

• Special expectations such as a holiday awash with gifts and money to acquire things

The good news is that we have the ability to control our thoughts.

The bad news is that our fears, attitudes and expectations have been our companions for a long time and it often takes some effort to change them.

Strategies to manage internal stressors include reframing your thoughts, challenging negative thoughts, using relaxation techniques, and talking with a trusted friend or counsellor.

 

Ref: 2012; Irving G. Jacob http://ohsonline.com/Articles/2006/10/Depressions-Impact-on-Safety

 

“When one bases his life on principle, 99 per cent of his decisions are already made.” ~ Unknown