Depressed state: On-the-job stress and anxiety can lead to depression

You feel helpless, hopeless, alone. It's a struggle just to get out of bed, let alone complete the basic tasks of your job.

It's no way to work, and it's no way to live. Depression, anxiety and stress can emotionally tax the worker and the workplace.

"This can be a big factor in job performance," said Dr. Thomas W. Marsh, director of Southeast Occupational Medicine. "If it's not identified on the front side, it can gradually erode a person's work performance to the point where they get fired and they're clueless about their decreased work performance."

SPOTTING THE SIGNS

Depression is a subtle disorder, often making it difficult to detect in the early stages, local counselors say.

"It sneaks up on you, so you have to be very intuitive and insightful into your own mood and your own symptoms," said Brenda Schmidt, a licensed professional counselor at Lighthouse Counseling in Perryville, Mo.

Oftentimes, depression first shows up as a lack of energy and, eventually, a loss of interest in life.

If the disorders aren't treated, they can gradually become debilitating in the workplace. Some of the effects can be absenteeism, difficulty making decisions, moodiness, irritability, drowsiness, lack of concentration, lack of cooperation with co-workers and superiors, and ultimately decreased productivity.

"It would basically be someone you really wouldn't want to be around at work," said Jason Ryan, emergency services therapist at Community Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau. "It would be like someone who's having a really bad day for three months straight."

If left untreated, mental health problems can lead to other complications as well, including high blood pressure, panic attacks and heart attacks. The key, counselors say, is identifying the problem before it becomes too serious.

SEEKING HELP

"If you find that in general happiness has disappeared -- or you want to stay at home and isolate from people, if you find that you don't want to get out of bed anymore, then your symptoms might be red flags to alert you to the possibility that you need to ask for help," said Judy Statler, a licensed professional counselor at Riverview Counseling in Cape Girardeau. Seek help immediately if you experience suicidal ideations.

If depression or anxiety is suspected, an appointment should be made with a physician or a counselor. Oftentimes, counseling, medication or a combination of the two will help control depression or anxiety. If someone suffers from seasonal affective disorder -- depression that occurs during the same time every year, typically in the winter -- a doctor might recommend taking vitamin D supplements or using a therapeutic light at a work station.

Employers can help the mental well-being of their employees. Giving workers an opportunity to be heard has the potential to lift moods, Statler said. Employers also should consider piping music in the workplace, praising jobs well down and acknowledging employees' family needs.

HELPING YOURSELF

There are ways you can give your mood a boost, too. "Physical exercise is one of the greatest things we can do for our mental health as well as physical health," said Dr. Mark Kinder, health psychologist at Saint Francis Medical Center. Nutrition also is important. Janet Anders, registered dietitian at Fitness Plus, said making wise food choices helps us feel more positive.

Raina Childers, registered dietitian at HealthPoint Fitness, offered these nutritional nuggets:

* Avoid large, high-fat meals, which can make you feel uncomfortably full and sluggish for longer periods of time.

* Watch your alcohol and caffeine consumption.

* Drink water throughout the day. It's good for energy, alertness and for getting you out of your chair several times a day.

And remember to have fun. Schmidt says everyone should have "a toolbox of coping behaviors" that allow you to take your mind away from your worries. At work, mood-boosters can include reading on a break, lunch with a good friend, deep breathing exercises or a quick walk.

"Adults in our society are very bad about not taking care of themselves, especially their mental health," Schmidt said.