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?

hey micro, can't wait for that coffee! :)

So tomorrow I start my new "in office" position. Hmmmm, a little nervous. I still have a couple things to wrap up, because it was a short week last week (holiday, had friday off). I was on this weekend, wasn't too bad. 2 openings yesterday, and today an opening and a dressing change. I'm procrastinating over my paperwork here though.......I turned in my laptop Thursday, as it was not functioning properly, and it didn't make sense to have them fix it, so I just used paper this weekend. If not for horrid stomach cramps, the weekend wouldn't have been half bad, haha.

I've been very upset recently about my oldest son (the one who'll be 14 on Friday). Things are getting worse and worse for him at school. he's had problems for years, failed 6th grade, is now in 7th, and is failing his classes at this point, despite every effort from us and his teachers (he even has an IEP and special ed support) It's been a terrible struggle, and it's becoming more and more clear that he may be showing signs of depression. High irritablility, decreased appetitite, change in behavior (more oppositional), withdrawing, loss of interest in "most" things. The only things he cares about are his stupid playstation and chatting on the computer. During the week, those are limited to an hour a day (either/or, not an hour each), but on weekends, as long as he is not grounded (and he has been....due to grades, lying, etc he HAS been, a LOT lately) and has worked on his homework, he has pretty much free reign, only having to share with his brother and step brother when they are here. He was talking (sort of) to my husband when I got home, but went upstairs when I got home. He's got a lot of issues, his life hasn't been easy by far. We're gonna talk to his Dr and probably take him to a therapist....but I've been so upset, and feeling soooooo guilty. I made a lot of bad life decisions since he was born, plus my crummy genes.......equals lotsa mommy guilt. Oh well, just wanted to talk.

Thanks, as always!

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I am constantly amazed by the strength of the people I meet here. Sphinx, you are a survivor, you will handle everything in front of you - just hope you can find easier ways to do it.

I have a nephew with Asperger's syndrome. He's quite smart. One day I was talking to him about computer games. He told me he knows he shouldn't do it all the time but he can't help himself, it's something he keeps doing. I think he is very brave, telling me that about himself. He's eight years old.

Most people aren't as clear with their needs. I suspect your son needs help getting away from his obsession - but he will fight you tooth and nail. If you love him, you fight harder.

I think. I'm new to all this.

Micro, I love your poetry. I was just checking. Recently, I feared insanity - I dreamed I had gone crazy and found myself talking in metaphors. I went to bed saying, "I'll never wake up to reality again."

I do drama too, it seems. In the back of my mind, I knew I might just wake up again. So far, I always do. Now, looking back, the drama was fun.

For, as you can all see, I woke up sane. I think.

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Originally posted by VAC

I can't back this up with research, but I really believe that nursing has a larger percentage of people from dysfunctional backgrounds, which make us more susceptible to depression. The caretakers who don't take care of themselves syndrome.. It's a breeding ground for depression.

I very much agree with this. Many of the nurse I know tend to be more codependent, take care of everyone but themselves. Many of the nurses I work with are on Antidep. I don't think being in nursing causes depression as much as having a dsyf background, or having tendency toward depression causes people to go into a career where they feel needed. Zoloft and Elavil have been a lifesaver to me!!

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Another factor that makes depression worse, is having a spouse who does not understand it, and who makes snide comments about me taking meds, telling me I am "gorked out". I went off my antidepressants for a time, and my dad, who has clinical depression with a hx of suicide attempt, asked me why I would stop taking them. I told him they made me gain weight, which was making me more depressed.

I finally became so depressed I couldn't get through my workday without crying. I finally went back on the medicine. I have decided that it is inevitable. My dad hx of depression, my grandfather bipolar, my brother is bipolar, another set of grandparents alcholic. I don't drink, smoke, but I am addicted to sweets LOL. I have gained 30 pounds, but I sleep a little better, and I don't cry as much.

I do wonder what will happen if the 150 mg of zoloft doesn't work, as I think that is the max dose?!

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hello nursechris......actually, you can take 200mg zoloft, I used to take that much. If that doesn't work, I don't know how many others you've tried, but there's a lot of options. One that doesn't always cause weight gain is Wellbutrin. That's the "main" part of my particular "cocktail", have been on it for some time, we tend to change the extras when I have problems. I had gained a ton of weight on other meds, but slowly it's come off. Most recently I lost 10 lbs after having a lap chole, then a nasty case of thrush, but I wouldn't recommend *that*, haha! My former spouse didn't understand depression either. Esp since he had multiple illnesses including a congenital heart defect, vonwillibrand's disease, and hep c...and was on no regular meds....he thought I was a freak and a weirdo for taking meds for depression. He doesn't believe depression is "real". My husband's ex was the same way, he suffers from depression as well. It's a comfort having someone who understands. (a problem when we are both having difficulties coping, but in general he is more stable than I am). Anyway, welcome, as you can see, we are kind of chatty, haha......we keep reviving this thread, I know for me, I find it very supportive, I feel in good company here. I am in depression support groups, etc....but knowing other nuses in the same boat....has helped me a lot.

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Originally posted by nursechris1

Another factor that makes depression worse, is having a spouse who does not understand it, and who makes snide comments about me taking meds, telling me I am "gorked out".

You tell your husband he is a sick and stupid (the truth) person. Thats lower than making fun of someone with any injury or disease. Worse because your ignorant and unloving. I'm sorry :-(

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Actually he could use the antidepressants worse than me, but he doesn't think so. I just made up my mind that its no different than being diabetic, or having hypertension.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

That's right, nursechris! You wouldn't resist taking insulin or an antihypertensive medication if they could save your life, or at least give you some quality of life, would you? Of course not, and depression is just as important to treat, if not more so since we have something like a 15-20% suicide rate!

Tell THAT to your husband the next time he gives you a bad time about the meds.

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Any "husband" who ridicules, instead of being supportive and loving, needs a generous boot out the door, and his clothes thrown out after him!

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Originally posted by mario_ragucci

You tell your husband he is a sick and stupid (the truth) person. Thats lower than making fun of someone with any injury or disease. Worse because your ignorant and unloving. I'm sorry :-(

yes, husbands should be more understanding.....

yes, wives should be more understanding.....

yes, friends should be more understanding.....

yes, coworkers should be more understanding.....

yes, managers should be more understanding.......

yes..........................................................

have to agree with Mario on this one ;)

it is not a perfect world, but we can each do our part, by starting with ourselves.......

take care of yourself........

micro

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I have to lovingly, respectfully, disagree with you micro. It is a big part of codependent, dysfunctional behavior to "understand" someone else's bad behavior. To quote sjoe, "you will get exactly as much crap as you're willing to take." It is everyone's responsibility to demand to be treated well, as a matter of self-respect. Understanding others is, of course, a good thing, but should never be a substitute for standing up for yourself.

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it is everyone's responsibility to demand to be treated well,as a matter of self-respect

couldn't agree more........

but I do stay with the life ain't fair and I am the only one that can change it stance.....that I have tooken'(can't spellin on purpose) :)

love and peace,

micro

p.s. nursechris.....

kudos for taking care of yourself.....

depression is a disease process.......

analogy of diabetes, heart disease, htn, etc........all appropriate........

take care of yourself.......and do not let the stigma of depression, mental illness or anything else get in the way.........

#1 is you.........

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