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?

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.

Its funny you brought this up. Years ago a friend of mine actually did this research for a college paper.

She found out that nurses are more susceptable to depression d/t their dysfunctional family/personal history. (Statistics show.)

Doing this study she also found the reason being that many nurses dont take care of themselves is because of their dysfunctional backgrounds. Something about feelings of guilt.

She found out that there are actually a higher percentage of nurses fom dysfunctional backgrounds than guess what..........exoctic dancers.

That one about blew me away.

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Ya mean I coulda been an exotic dancer? LOL!

MUCH better tips than in nursing....:chuckle

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Originally posted by sphinx

I could make a laundry list of problems, but it would be quite boring. Lets suffice it to say, i usually come home with something new to gripe about.

As Gilda Radner used to say, "There's alllll ways something..."

I am fortunate in that I learned in aa about acceptance, detachment, limit setting/boundaries, self love and self care, and prayer. I couldn't do it without those tools. But I hear you are getting there, YAAYYYYYY! Stay in touch!

I still get depressed, in fact a year and a half ago had to seek partial outpatient hospitalization. The glory was I knew EXACTLY what I needed to accomplish and just needed help and support to do it, cuz I'd had experience bouncing back. I was only out for a week or two.

I too am bipolar, I am more keen on admitting I'm an alcoholic than admitting I'm bipolar! I don't have the "highs" much and not since 1987. But those durn depressions......

Take care

k

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Originally posted by zoeboboey

I too am bipolar, I am more keen on admitting I'm an alcoholic than admitting I'm bipolar! I don't have the "highs" much and not since 1987. But those durn depressions......

hmmmm, yeah for whatever reason bipolar still has more of a negative stigma these days. Even alcoholism is more accepted as a disease rather than a weakness in todays society-whereas a lot of people hear bipolar and think "crazy!", so I get where you're coming from! Nobody, but nobody but friends and family knows my dx. I am bipolar 2, so never have major manic episodes, and still the depressions outweigh then hypomanic episodes. Even then the hypomania tends to include a lot of agitation, irritation, etc rather than euphoria at times, so it is not always a ton of fun, haha!

As for me, spring has always been a dangerous time of year. The 3 times I was hospitalized were all in April/May. Well, the last time was 3 years ago. Wow! I can't believe it's been that long! But I was thinking about it the other day, and yep, it's been 3 years!

But yes, I have been depressed since then, but like you, I am better at getting out of it. This last one was a bad one, I didn't know if I could do it without hospital or partial.......but I managed. But when you've gone through it so many times, you learn to navigate the trail. Once you start to "wake up" from the sleepiness that is depression, (at least for me), it is easier to get through it all.(Note, not easy! Just easier, see the difference?!)

eek, it's too early! *sigh*.......I have to be off to work now.......

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I'm a recovering addict and also deal with major depression. Don't discount this suggestion: have you tried using the 12 Steps to deal with your bipolar disorder?:confused: I laughed it off for years until I woke up in an ICU, still connected to a vent.:eek:

Just substitute "alcoholic" with "bipolar disorder".

And keep coming back.:kiss

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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.

AMEN....and the administrations take full advantage of that too....the healthcare system as a whole has a great deal of power over those who depend on it to pay the bills and support their families - as does any employer. It's time to address the problem at its root.

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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.

Ohmagosh!! I think you are right on the money with this.But heres a weird twist. I get more depressed when I'm not working. I feel so much better while I help some one else, that I really have a hard time with my self when I'm not at work. Example: the last two weeks I have worked 101.30 hrs. Everyone asks if I am wore out yet. To tell the truth, I haven't felt this well for a long time. I am on two anti-d's though.:p

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hey to all,

haven't been around these parts of late, but think of all my cyber allnurses friends often, some more than others.....

am glad to see this thread still going and supporting each other......

in this world it is so good that we are here and that we can and do support each other.....

not that all is good in this world, that would not be reality, but there is still so much more good than evil in this world.........

now to my depression, _______-ism, and here of late, anxiety +++++++++, along with my growing other diagnosis.........

it is still good to have good moments in the middle of the bad, and to know that I am not alone from many fronts and paths.........

today. doc added another medcation to my orificenal.........and a nonaddictive medication at that.........

above all, never lose hope all, medicine is an art, not a science yet......but the science and art of medicine is full merit and I will take advantage of any help that I can get.......

BECAUSE I AM WORTH IT.........

AND YOU ARE EACH ALSO.........

be well my friends,

micro

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Help! I have to take a drug test as the last part of the screening process to gain entry into my ADN nursing program? I take klonopin at night for sleep and Celebrex for back pain problems. Should I reveal this to the nurse who gives me the drug test ahead of time and will these drugs cause me a problem with admissions? Did any of you take any Rx meds when you took your school drug test and did you have any problems due to it? What type antidepressants seem to be okay to take and work in nursing? Also, is there a Non-opiod Rx pain med that seems to be okay to take for chronic back pain and that is okay to work while taking it? Oh, I have been given the okay and blessing by my general dr. and Pain Management Dr. to go back to school and work in the nursing field, so there is no problem there. I look forward to your responses.. :kiss

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Originally posted by sphinx

yep, it's been 3 years!

3 YEARS!!!!!!

YAYAYYAYA!

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Originally posted by mamabear

Twelve steps work VERY well, LOL! when I work them! and you, keep coming back too!!!.:kiss

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Originally posted by RN2007

Hey! I had the same worry when I took this job, I am on lithium and I was sweating it cuz I knew they would know I was bipolar because of the med. I did discuss it with the disability rights people and they said I HAD to tell personnel health cuz if they found out later I could be fired for LYING. There is NO crime for being on meds, I can tell YOU that, but I had a hard time believing it for ME!

Good luck!

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