Many nurses on depression or anxiety meds?

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While going through the different forums here, it seems like many of the nurses and student nurses are taking depression or anxiety meds. I realize this site serves as a place to vent so maybe that is why it seems to come up often. But I was wondering how common is it to hear of nurses on your floors having to take these meds? Do you think it is mostly for personal reasons or related to their job? Maybe its from a difficulty of transitioning from nursing school to working as a nurse? I'm sure theres plenty of reasons. Just curious what others may think. Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I think a lot of people in all occupations are on these types of meds. I think it's our high-pressure, fast-paced modern life.

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It's a complex issue and I can only speak for myself. In my case depression and anxiety are totally unrelated to nursing school, since I was diagnosed 18 years before starting. I believe that genetics have a lot to do with it in my case as there is an obvious, if undiagnosed history in both my maternal and paternal families.

One thing I have noticed amongst peers in depression/anxiety support groups is that many of those suffering from depression/anxiety are very compassionate people, a personality trait that I believe lends itself to nursing. I've also noticed in this group of people that there is a strong desire to help others - again something that seems to be common in those interested in a nursing career.

I guess what I believe to some extent is that nursing may not be the cause of depression/anxiety, but that the personality traits that can be associated with depression/anxiety are often those same traits that draw people to a career in nursing and other helping/caring professions.

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I'm on both but I was before nursing and will be until I die.

Mental illness, alcoholism and depression don't run in my family, they gallop.

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I don't think that my job has contributed to my "chemical imbalances" My

problems started when I was a teenager but noone really acknowledged back then that teens could have problems too plus my mom live(s)d in a constant state of denial regarding MH issues. I didn't seek treatment until my dad convinced me to go to al-anon in order to deal with issues in the past with him and my coodependant mom. Plus my ex hubby was a raging pot head. Dad was an alcoholic and got sober and was in a 12 step program. I started with a great therapist who helped sort out much of the stuff in my life. I decided to see a PD after therapy helped me to a great extent but I still wasn't doing that well.

The depression and problems at home affected me at work big time! Now I am content to take my meds and stay on an even keel and get help when it seems like I am sliding down the slope again. A good PD will work with you to find the right drug to help. I went through quite a few before we found one that worked.

Many nurses come from dysfunctional homes (name your abuse) and go into nursing as an extension of the caretaking role. Some get help and get healthier, others don't and tend to make life difficult for the rest of us.

Anyway that's my $.50 opinion :))

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It's a complex issue and I can only speak for myself. In my case depression and anxiety are totally unrelated to nursing school, since I was diagnosed 18 years before starting. I believe that genetics have a lot to do with it in my case as there is an obvious, if undiagnosed history in both my maternal and paternal families.

One thing I have noticed amongst peers in depression/anxiety support groups is that many of those suffering from depression/anxiety are very compassionate people, a personality trait that I believe lends itself to nursing. I've also noticed in this group of people that there is a strong desire to help others - again something that seems to be common in those interested in a nursing career.

I guess what I believe to some extent is that nursing may not be the cause of depression/anxiety, but that the personality traits that can be associated with depression/anxiety are often those same traits that draw people to a career in nursing and other helping/caring professions.

:yeah:

Thanks!!!

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I'm on both but I was before nursing and will be until I die.

Mental illness, alcoholism and depression don't run in my family, they gallop.

AMEN sis! Same here:paw::paw::paw::paw:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I began suffering from occasional anxiety attacks 9 years ago when my mother died; would get them like twice a year, around the time of her birthday and her death. I took Zoloft, which really helps me. During the road to becoming a nurse, I expected to experience them more, but only had one. Now, once I became an LPN, I can say that I may get them two to three times a year, but they are more intense. In fact, I had to start Zoloft again a few months ago. In the beginning, I can attibute it to the stress and grieving of my mom...now, I can say it was due to the constant readjustments of how to deal with stress as a nurse. I had to learn to let go more and realize that I cannot do everything myself. I do the best I can with the existing insane policies and demands to maintain my integrity and do good patient care, but I don't take on as much as I used to. It took getting on the medication to see things clearer and focus on how to relax and make myself happy.

I don't know if any nurses I work with are actually taking anti-anxiety or antidepressants simply because it doesn't come up. I am not ashamed, I would say it in a minute, but think it is not worth it because of the backstabbing nature of many nurses. If they see a what they perceive as a weak moment, some vultures will take advantage of that opportunity to toot their own horns while they slide your name in the mud.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I have an unpopular opinion. I've seen so many of my classmates say they've had to go on antidepressants/anxiety meds due to the stress of nursing school. I look at them and think, why is it that you don't believe you can do this, and why do you think you need a pill to survive? I've suffered with anxiety too, but I choose to plod on without psych meds because I believe life and nursing school is messy, but I can do it and grow stronger.

Ok, now I know there are many who must have meds due to organic conditions. I get that. But I think some of my classmates lack confidence and are over-saturated with psych pharma advertising.

:flamesonb

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

Seems like many nurses take insomnia meds also. Wonder if that is due to 12-hour shifts, or if many of them had sleeping difficulties prior to nursing.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I agree with multicollinearity, I do think our culture encourages a solution in a pill too easily today. I do get the fact that people have brain chemical unbalances, but I question the fact that family doctors are handing out these pills like candy.

I was having a lot of anxiety a year and a half ago. I asked my doctor for xanax to use now and then. She tried pressure me to get on Buspar, and I resisted because I told her that I didn't want something to affect me all the time, that I liked having some ups and downs.

I got my xanax and used it for awhile occasionally. Then I did make some job changes and went to doing only agency nursing, thus extricating myself from the job that I had. I haven't renewed my xanax prescription, I quit self-medicating with alcohol, and I feel grrreaaat!

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i agree jls, there's a big difference between situational and chronic depression/stress.

for those who live w/depression et al, meds would be indicated.

but if there are exogenous factors that only require prn r/t acuity, then that would be the way to go...

as well as other proactive solutions in addressing the stressors.

leslie

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