Depression and Nursing

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 14, 2015

Me time. All work and no play as the saying goes. I take time for myself, whether it's reading a book just for fun or going out somewhere with my camera in hand or visiting family. Health care professions seem to be notorious for taking care of others while neglecting to take care of ourselves. We really need to get better at that.

anewsns · Oct 14, 2015

I have bipolar and am going through a lot of depression with a new job right now too... I was gonna say the same as the above poster... Some days you just need to push everything back so you can do something nice for yourself ... It doesn't really clear the depression , but it makes everything more bearable.. I need a lot of exercise too.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 17, 2015

Is it possible that you could have some seasonal component to your depression and anxiety? This time of year is notorious for throwing people into a depressive state. Like anewsns, I'm bipolar and predictably fall into depression when the days grow shorter and darker (and mania hits me in the spring/summer). Fortunately the combination of meds I take and a light box help me a lot. You need to speak to your doctor about your depression and anxiety---there are many things that can be done, and if one med doesn't help there are plenty of others that might. Therapy is also useful in the treatment of these conditions.

I hope you find a resolution to your problems soon. Please keep us posted.

canigraduate · Oct 17, 2015

Some of the self management techniques I use:

Personal connection - talk to someone who makes you laugh or feel loved; I have a cousin who lights up my day

Validation - do something that makes you feel good for accomplishing it - for me, it's dishes, 'cause I hate doing dishes

Encouragement - I think about how far I've come from being a depressed/anxious mess and tell myself that I am doing a good job

De-stress - I use exercise, meditation, and jumping my husband; I also do mood lifters like watching funny/happy movies, playing/snuggling with my pets, cuddling with the hubs and watching TV; I also read books with a light tone or that are based around a loving dynamic

Avoidance - I stay away from people/situations that I know are going to make me feel worse

Gifts - I will buy a little trinket if I see one that makes me smile - I like the cute stuff in the hospital gift shop or little blingy pendants/bracelets

Food therapy - I make sure to eat healthy and give myself a small treat when I feel myself dipping low

anewsns · Oct 17, 2015

Yea viva, true, October does sink you. Right now ive been needing daily light box , daily Xanax , daily run , along with my normal med.. I usually find some good relief at night .. My family / friends always say theyre impressed with my ability to keep changing my treatment to try and pull out of episodes. Stuff doesn't always work but im always looking for a new combo of things to keep me happy.. I know it's easier said than done when you don't even want to get out of bed. I've been doing this for 20 years (I'm 30.) the best advice I can give is just keep trying to figure out what's going to work, everyone has different stuff that helps.. But in the same breath, go easy on yourself and don't overdo or place blame on yourself for not being 100%. A new job is a lot on your plate as it is.

Ozymandia · Oct 18, 2015

Listen to uplifting music on the way to work. I take medication for depression and anxiety. Do something to further your career. Switch to ICU, procedures, get your CCRN, go back to grad school. USe this job as an opportunity to learn as much as you can before leaving to your next job. If its just at work maybe start looking for another job.

Farawyn · Oct 18, 2015

Some of the self management techniques I use:
Personal connection - talk to someone who makes you laugh or feel loved; I have a cousin who lights up my day
Validation - do something that makes you feel good for accomplishing it - for me, it's dishes, 'cause I hate doing dishes
Encouragement - I think about how far I've come from being a depressed/anxious mess and tell myself that I am doing a good job
De-stress - I use exercise, meditation, and jumping my husband; I also do mood lifters like watching funny/happy movies, playing/snuggling with my pets, cuddling with the hubs and watching TV; I also read books with a light tone or that are based around a loving dynamic
Avoidance - I stay away from people/situations that I know are going to make me feel worse
Gifts - I will buy a little trinket if I see one that makes me smile - I like the cute stuff in the hospital gift shop or little blingy pendants/bracelets
Food therapy - I make sure to eat healthy and give myself a small treat when I feel myself dipping low

This this this!

Someone else mentioned SAD. I'm going to get one of those lamps- has anyone used one?

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2015

Sometimes on the way home from work I play my 'random' playlist really loudly. It has everything from linkin park, U2, bastille, James Blunt etc its enough that by the time I get home I'm feeling loads better.

Also, self care very important. for me its having random net surfing time. Hanging out on AN, playing stupid as facebook games, card making, paper craft. Those things are unique to each person.

A very wise person told me once "if you dont take care of yourself no other b*****d will"

But also, at times like now when its all falling in on me is engaging with mental health services and ensure that i am effectively managing my illness.

If the anxiety gets really bad, I'll even resort to taking really low dose PRN anti anxiety meds, I take quetiapine (funny story, once got accused to faking it to drug seek and when I asked for quetiapine it sort of took the wind out of the persons sails) so dont need to worry about it popping on a work drug screen

allnurses Guide · Nov 3, 2015

Some of the self management techniques I use:
Personal connection - talk to someone who makes you laugh or feel loved; I have a cousin who lights up my day
Validation - do something that makes you feel good for accomplishing it - for me, it's dishes, 'cause I hate doing dishes
Encouragement - I think about how far I've come from being a depressed/anxious mess and tell myself that I am doing a good job
De-stress - I use exercise, meditation, and jumping my husband; I also do mood lifters like watching funny/happy movies, playing/snuggling with my pets, cuddling with the hubs and watching TV; I also read books with a light tone or that are based around a loving dynamic
Avoidance - I stay away from people/situations that I know are going to make me feel worse
Gifts - I will buy a little trinket if I see one that makes me smile - I like the cute stuff in the hospital gift shop or little blingy pendants/bracelets
Food therapy - I make sure to eat healthy and give myself a small treat when I feel myself dipping low

I'm going to add my "yes, yes, yes" to this as well.

I hit a low point last year and have been seeing a counselor specializing in cognitive therapy off and on. I also quit one job and that has helped a lot.

Right now, I'm not going to try anti-depressants due to being on seizure meds already.

Exercise of any sort - even just a walk - helps me. I have to get out of the house!

I have a cognitive workbook on depression that was recommended by a friend.

The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression: A Step-by-Step Program: Dr. William J Knaus EdD, Albert Ellis PhD: 9781608823802: Amazon.com: Books

German Karsten · Nov 29, 2015

Hi there,

itÂ´s me, Karsten from Germany. IÂ´m a head teacher of a nursing school / university in Germany and IÂ´m a teacher of psychiatric care and lots more.

IÂ´m a expert in depression and do a lot of training for teachers how to handle with ill students.

I think a lot of nurses are psycho-ill. Is that true in the US too?

Here in Germany the psycho-diagnosis are rising fast.

Thank you for answering.

[email protected]

German Karsten · Nov 29, 2015