Nursing & Depression

Nurses Stress 101

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  1. Nurses and Depression/Anxiety

    • 401
      I think the incidence of depression/anxiety is higher in nursing than other professions.
    • 264
      I feel depression/anxiety has interfered with my job performance.
    • 260
      I feel nursing has played a part in my depression
    • 23
      I feel administration is as supportive to nurses w/ depression/anxiety as w/ other diseases

460 members have participated

While visiting in the lounge one day, we discovered that every nurse there was on an anti-depressant.

I have had 'Treatment Resistant Depression' for about 20 years--as long as I've been a nurse. Now I am totally burned out, on major meds, and am seeking disability d/t depression/anxiety.

I beleive years of long hours, high stress, high expectations and little appreciation (from management, not patients) has contributed to this.

How many other jobs consider you a tratior b/c you call in sick? And trying to get off for a sick child is an unforgivable sin. How many other jobs want you to work overtime on the days you are scheduled, call you at all hours of the night or day when you are off, first pleading w/ you to come in, then laying a guilt trip on you if you say "NO!" And let's not forget the mandatory inservices and CEU's that take time away from your family.

If any profession should understand the importance of the individuals' physical, mental, social and spiritual self it should be nursing--after all we are taught in nursing school about treating the patient as a whole, not just a disease! Why don't we treat our staff the same way.

Anyone out there in the same boat?

Jen - er, uh, you'll be needing a chaperone to Chippendales, I'll check my schedule but I'm quite sure I'll be able to assist you. (Hush, Brownie!) :D

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

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Come on over, Vegas! We're either going to see the Chips on the 6th or the 7th... gotta go out and vent some nursing frustrations, you know :)

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Originally posted by Jen911

Come on over, Vegas! We're either going to see the Chips on the 6th or the 7th... gotta go out and vent some nursing frustrations, you know :)

Of course, it's quite therapeutic, actually. :chuckle

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*ahem* yes, I'm sure it will be! oops! :chair:

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

:rotfl:..Lord...:roll Yeah...right:rotfl:

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Originally posted by nightngale1998

Some of us take enormous amounts of time (not here but I have on other threads)to research topics. Ex: researchrabbit on the definition of depression (thank you it is always good to be clear about the topic at hand).

I do not see Toms' explanation as flip on his coping strategy. I am rather envious that it is that easy for you Tom. I do not think he is snubbing the topic either.

While I would like to take credit for research, I work in psych, have many depressed patients, and have the criteria for depression posted in a sticky note on my computer to have it handy when people call (don't have to look at it much anymore :)).

Latest thinking on depression is that it's a chemical imbalance. It may a response to excessive or long-term stress (and, incidendentally, may show up as anxiety disorders instead of depression, depending on the person). It may be genetic.

I don't think Tom is intentionally snubbing the topic, but I'm betting he's not a psych nurse...no offense Tom...If you can get the positive endorphins going, this will be enough for some people...exercise, music, laughter, sex; all are activities which can re-balance the neurotransmitters.

But if you have no energy because you are in the sink of depression, with no light at the end of the tunnel, and intense mental anguish, it is VERY HARD to believe that any of these will help, thus it is almost impossible to implement these changes. And most people in the environment of the depressed person tend to say "Well, just stop it!" :) And I am guessing this is how most people are responding to Tom's post (because those who have been there have all heard that from someone they love). But that's not what he said...he said that what HE does.

Medications can fill in to start the balancing act. But lifestyle changes are necessary in addition to medications in order to effect a true change. Most people -- providing they add therapy or lessen their stress or make those positive endorphin activities an essential part of life (or maybe all three! :)) -- can stop the medication(s) after a while, some a very short while. But some (perhaps those with a genetic component?) may need long term medication -- OR repeat bouts of medciation -- no matter what they do.

You have to remember, Prozac and other SSRIs really haven't been with us all that long (Paxil was the 2nd SSRI approved by FDA and it came out in the early 90s) and it is SOOOO much better than the other meds we used to have. In the 70s, my poor depressed best friend was put on (UGH) Thorazine...

Sorry this post is so long! Guess my teacher persona kicked in today! :)

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originally posted by researchrabbit

...if you can get the positive endorphins going, this will be enough for some people...exercise, music, laughter, sex; all are activities which can re-balance the neurotransmitters...

now see? i've been saying this all along and you guys have been laughing at me. i just need the one activity to re-balance my neurotransmitters and....:D :p :devil:

researchrabbit, you are just way too cool, girl. :)

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.
Originally posted by LasVegasRN

Now see? I've been saying this all along and you guys have been laughing at me. I just need the one activity to re-balance my neurotransmitters and....:D :p :devil:

researchrabbit, you are just way too cool, girl. :)

LV...:) Well...if that is what it takes....more power to ya! Just don't kill em on the first nite...ya hear..:D!

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Originally posted by LasVegasRN

researchrabbit, you are just way too cool, girl. :)

ooooo, THANKS! I can run on a good compliment for at LEAST a week! :)

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What came first, the chicken of the egg? Does working in the field of nursing contribute to major depressive episodes? On the other hand, are the people drawn to nursing, just depressive by nature? Maybe nurses are just especially sensitive people who are less able to resist being affected by depression? Nature vs nurture.

I do know a lot of nurses, myself included, that suffer from depression and are on antidepressants. I also know a lot of nurses who I think can benefit from being on antidepressants. Do you know the type?: Run around reacting to everything as if it's a crisis, zero stress tolerance, unable to prioritize patient care, call you up constantly asking for you to rescue them.

I had to take a month long leave of absence (unpaid) during the spring of 01. I was burnt out to the point that I was suicidal couldn't even take care of myself. Knowing well how ill I was, I was still treated in a very cold and abusive manner by my boss and administration. I had used up all my sick time (for a very authentic reason) and was forced to go on unemployment to pay my bills. I was forced to go in on three separate occasions (on the unit where all the nosey people wanted to know what was wrong) in order to get paperwork filled out so that I could get some money to live on. Wouldn't let me do anything by mail. Wouldn't let me come back to work gradually. "Either you're sick or you're not -- don't come back till you're well", I was told. Dignity means nothing to these people.

Never, never want to relive that nightmare again.:stone

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Originally posted by adrienurse

I was burnt out to the point that I was suicidal couldn't even take care of myself. Knowing well how ill I was, I was still treated in a very cold and abusive manner by my boss and administration

I will never understand administrators...they whine about nursing shortages but don't make the workplace a healthy one. I am so sorry that happened to you. ((((((((((adrienne))))))))))))

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