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Understanding the Link between Depression and Burnout at Work
Tolu Ajiboye
Many people consider their job to be a source of stress, but it can be difficult to measure just how much of an impact that stress has on your mental and emotional health. Can stress at work lead to depression or worsen symptoms you're already feeling? And is there a clear correlation between depression and work performance?
Here's a look at the links between depression and burnout at work and why you should seek treatment for depression, no matter its cause.
Stress and Burnout at Work
Employment is a major component of people's lives, with complex tasks and social situations that allow multiple windows of entry for stress to intrude into people's lives. In the United States alone, 65 percent of surveyed workers report
significant job-related stress.
Persistent job stress, as one might imagine, can lead to burnout at work. Characterized by extended feelings of exhaustion, detachment, and reduced accomplishment, burnout is quite common. Recent Gallup research found that 76 percent of Americans feel
burned out at work "at least sometimes," while 28 percent feel burned out "very often" or "always."
Both burnout and workplace stress can play significant roles in the development or exacerbation of depression and other mental health conditions.
Work Stress, Burnout, and Depression
Workplace stress and burnout can develop from a variety of different causes. No one cause is worse than any other, as everyone experiences stress—and
symptoms of depression —differently.
1. Excessive Work
Some jobs are stressful because you're being overworked. Work may leave you constantly physically tired and without the time to practice self-care. These types of jobs can impair your sleep quality, increasing your risk of developing
hypertension ,
diabetes , and
cardiovascular disease . Working excessive hours can affect more than just your physical health; it can also be associated with
increased anxiety and depression symptoms and overall poorer states of mental health.
2. Job Pressure
Other jobs can be stressful in a different way—from unreasonable time pressures and strict deadlines to high stakes and a general lack of flexibility. These types of jobs and the stress they cause can have a significant negative impact on one's mental health. In fact, one study revealed that people with
highly stressful jobs are at twice the risk of developing depression and anxiety as those with less stressful jobs.
Further, depression and work performance are strongly linked. Depression is known to reduce productivity , participation, and performance levels at work, potentially creating a harmful cycle where stress and depression at work compound.
3. Toxic Work Environments
With some jobs, it's not the tasks you perform that are stressful and damaging to your health. Instead, it's the environment and culture you have to navigate on a daily basis that takes its toll. Constant chaos, strained relationships with peers or supervisors, and disrespectful or inappropriate communication can all make a workplace unhealthy. Long-term exposure to and coping with these kinds of environments can contribute to depression.
Seeking Treatment for Depression from Burnout at Work
It can be easy to minimize mental health conditions that are not caused by factors seen as "traumatizing" or "dramatic" enough. However, in reality, the severity of mental health conditions is not determined by what brings them about. Depression associated with work stress or burnout is no less serious than depression stemming from other causes.
No matter what the trigger may be, depression is a clinical condition that should be treated. Antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy are typically the first line of treatment for depression. But if you've tried them and haven't seen the results you were looking for, you may want to consider
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy.
TMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to activate specific brain regions involved in regulating mood and emotion. This treatment is effective for 2 out of 3, or approximately
62 percent , of people who haven't benefited from antidepressants.
Many patients report having positive experiences with TMS therapy—in regard to both the treatment sessions and the improvement in their symptoms. Whatever treatment path you choose, remember that you are taking positive steps on your journey to better health.
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Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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