For depression, no holiday helps

Career breaks and holidays are not a remedy for depressionn

10/18/2011

The number of workers who have to retire prematurely from work due to depression has increased significantly in recent decades. Often, the development of mental health problems long before the actual onset of illness and many affected respond with a long vacation to leave the pathogenic burden for a while behind.

But holidays or a break from work usually does not help to prevent the onset of depression, warn experts of the German depression relief organization like the psychiatrist and director of the Polyclinic for psychiatry and psychotherapy in Leipzig, Prof. Ulrich Hegerl. According to the expert, workers who experience the first signs of mental illness should never go on vacation, „because the depression goes with it.“ In addition, those affected experience „the condition even more painful“, If you „somewhere in the distance“ are, explained Hegerl. In order to avoid the development of mental illnesses, according to the experts of the German Depression Aid, urgent medical help is urgently required in the event of alarm signals such as chronic fatigue, insomnia, dullness, mood swings and lack of motivation.

Also physical symptoms in depression
The idea of ​​a vacation to relax is almost overwhelming for those affected by the first signs of depression, the experts said. Many workers with mental health problems feel massively exhausted and feel like they just have to sleep well to wake up refreshed in the morning. So vacation seems the right measure. However, sleeping does not help those affected and holidays can intensify the depressive mood, warned Prof. Ulrich Hegerl. Instead, at the first sign of mental illness, a doctor should urgently be called in to initiate therapeutic measures to treat mental health problems. As a clear signal is included „the feeling of being overwhelmed and overburdened“ according to Hegerl, it accompanies all depressive illnesses. Hopelessness and the feeling of being unable to cope with a workload can also be signs of depression, according to Hegerl. There are also physical symptoms such as tinnitus or ear noises, headaches or back pain, which in turn can also be the result of a depressive illness. In the case of the doctor or therapist, those concerned should therefore describe their physical and mental complaints in any case. As Prof. Hegerl emphasized, doing „a depression unbearable all existing physical complaints, even if they have otherwise always been accepted as part of normal everyday life.“

Depression in Germany Main reason for early retirement
The extent to which mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia have already been taken today is clear from the latest figures from the German Pension Insurance Association (DRV), according to which the corresponding mental suffering in Germany is the main reason for involuntary premature departure from work. The diagnosis of depression, however, does not mean that those affected should immediately resign from their work, but in the opinion of Prof. Hegerl the depressive patients are recommended to continue practicing their profession as much as possible in parallel to the therapy. So be „Many patients are happy when - with a significantly reduced workload - they can stay in the wheel of everyday professional life,“ stressed the expert. Moreover, the stress caused by work is rarely the trigger for depression, continued Hegerl. Much more often, lifestyle changes such as the loss of a loved one lead to mental health problems, explained the Director of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. According to Hegerl, too, seemingly positive things such as passing examinations or going on vacation can cause depression.

DGB calls for reducing mental stress in the workplace
The German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB), unlike the experts of the German Depressive Aid Foundation, sees working conditions as a major factor in the occurrence of depression. In a recent press release DGB board member, Annelie Buntenbach, therefore demands „mental stress in the working world more consistent than before“ to fight.“ For this purpose, the establishment of „Stress tests for the working conditions in the enterprises necessary“, so Buntenbach at the opening of the health and safety fair A + A on Tuesday morning in Dusseldorf. According to the DGB concerns „Burn-out not only football coach and pop singer, but is a growing problem for workers in the companies.“ The mental stress in the working environment must therefore „be vigorously and be contained at all levels“, so the statement of the DGB. As an essential prerequisite for the protection of employees from pathogenic mental stress, the experts of the DGB see the consistent implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act through nationwide stress tests (risk assessments) in companies. Also, the DGB believes that the massive expansion of the low paid sector is problematic, as it is directly related to the dramatic increase in mental illness. The young generation in particular is struggling with considerable uncertainties here. The Federal Government was therefore requested, „Overcoming the lack of prospects from uncertain, temporary and low-paid jobs“, explained the DGB. (Fp)

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Picture: Gerd Altmann