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?

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

Me, too. Thanks, Youda! And that was funny about your cat enjoying the fishy belches, Mattsmom....I was wondering why mine were suddenly getting so lovey-dovey with me!:D

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And sometimes if I eat fish with wheat bread I get the fishy flatus and no mammal can enjoy them :-( sorry

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Having dealt with depression for several years on medication, I had an exacerbation of depression when i went on 3rd shift. I never want to work that shift again. I was so depressed and felt ill all the time.

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maia, working nights exacerbated my depression too....a lot. It was a shame too, because in a lot of days I really lked the night shift. Oh well, that was years ago. Since then, I've had other periods of exacerbation, but have never gone back to nights, because I know it will play havoc with me.

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I have felt a lot of comfort reading the posts on this subject. I have been laxing in taking my antidep lately, and I can sure tell today. I have been very anxious, and very self concious. It's weird. I am well educated, I have been told that I am pretty, but when I dont take my meds, I have the lowest self esteem of anyone I know. I guess I need to get back into counseling.

This site is a blessing for me though. I love to read the posts regarding Dr orders and charting mistakes. I laugh so hard, my family wonders if I am going crazy!:roll

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nursechris, those posts make me laugh too! My husband asks what's so funny...sometimes I try to explain, other times I just say "forget it, nurse stuff".

Sorry you've been feeling "off" lately. I'm sure you know the impotance of taking prescribed meds as ordered, so I won't remind you! :-) Getting back into counseling might be a good idea too....I know I am looking into that too, just waiting for some things to settle down in terms of my schedule, so I know when I am free, etc. Anyway, I know about low self esteem. Mine is in the ditch.

(((hugs))))

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*low self esteem.......even when my self esteem is high.........and all is right with the world.............I still have low self esteem*

ain't depression a ________.

hang in there all.........

I am so glad you are here.........

what a great thread this is.............

allnurses.com..............rocks.....that is all I can say.........

hang in there all

it does get better one day at a time

and then you think it gets worse.....

but just hang on.......

it gets better......

rambling on,

micro

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Hi friends...have had a great week or two and wanted to share my good news. :)

My prayers have been coming true...ever met someone JUST right at the time you need to? They are like angels sent from above to give you advice or encouragement you need at that particular time. This has happened numerous times lately in answer to my prayers for direction.

One, I decided to write my old supervisors and ask for letters of reference. Usually I'm not the type to ask for this but I was down, with LSE and a little voice nudged me to do this so i did. I got the MOST lovely notes back...made me cry and boosted my morale...to see in writing how much they think of me...I really needed to read those kind words! As a minister friend tells me "Ye have not because ye ask not".

I posted I had applied for private duty homecare....as my old agency told me I'd been out too long to do facility staffing. Well, met a new friend in the waiting room of my agency who waltzed me into the staffing office and told them they needed to put me to work...and they did!!! LOL!! THIS agency said 'no problem'...I was thrilled!! Due to her encouragement, I am working facilities again now, very part time... and enjoying 'calling my own shots' re scheduling, etc. It is working out sooo well!

I am not pursuing my critical care work at this time...now thinking...do I really WANT all that stress of life and death chaos?? Surprisingly, I've been doing some hospice and rehab staffing (perdiem) and truly enjoying the change of pace. Haven't done this type of work for 15 years or more...good to know I can still do it. ;)

HUGS to all and hope you are having 'more good days than bad'. :)

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:D :roll

Just wanted to say thanks to all the posters out there who shared their experience, strength and hope. I, too, have depression altho I am not sure it is necessarily r/t nursing. I have been on antidepression meds since my senior year in nursing school and I can speak to the effectiveness of the right med being the difference between life and death.

There have been times when I was suicidal, tho I never made any attempts, but I was very grateful for the myriad of treatments available so that I had alternatives when the meds I was on did not work anymore. I have had two failures of meds, (one that required a change in meds and the other that required an increase in dose) in 12 years. These medications and the help of a counselor have allowed me to live my life and be fully alive and productive.

I agree that only someone who suffers from depression can fully understand the hopelessness and fear that comes with being unable to "pull oneself up by ones bootstraps" and just get on with life. :o

I have been fortunate also to have a wonderful support system of friends and family who were caring enough to not give up on me, and who insisted on pushing me to get help when I just wanted to go to bed and withdraw from life. :kiss These people made sure that I was taking care of myself, so that I had enough resources to take care of those who depended on me (my kids and my patients).

I've probably gone on too long and have repeated many of the same things that others have said, but I hope that if there is anyone out there who is hesitating about getting help, they will seek it out

yms yms rn

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Originally posted by yms yms rn

:D :roll

Just wanted to say thanks to all the posters out there who shared their experience, strength and hope. I, too, have depression.I agree that only someone who suffers from depression can fully understand the hopelessness and fear that comes with being unable to "pull oneself up by ones bootstraps" and just get on with life. :o

I've probably gone on too long and have repeated many of the same things that others have said, but I hope that if there is anyone out there who is hesitating about getting help, they will seek it out

yms yms rn

Welcome and thanks for sharing. I don't think we can say it enough...that we NEED to reach out for help with this disease. And by sharing where we're at in our recovery, hopefully we can encourage and validate others at a different stage. :kiss

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ditto to mattsmom well said response

and to yms yms.......welcome here.........

e.s. & h.

simply micro

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Mattsmom - i'm happy for you in that your prayers are answered. It's a good feeling :-)

I have had mild panic and anxiety attacks this week. It's because my brain chemistry has been altered as I "go through" nursing school. No more exercise, despite what people say, and total dependence on automobile for transportation because of time.

truely, there is a panic that goes through me now at certain situations. Even though I am okay, and doing really good, I still get hit with panic and anxiety. It's because of the chemicals produced thoughout the body when you exercise are absent now. Whatever those chemicals are, they are missed by me, and I shrug the panic and anxiety off, for the first time I experience it from a seeming unknown origin.

The panic attacks last for 20-30 minutes, and I had them at school. No self esteem, afraid that I am not good enough, doubt. But I know if I had the time to ride bike and exercise, I'd feel power. Power is not infinate. I'm sorry :-(

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