nurses with anxiety and depression

kstec, LPN · Feb 4, 2009

You will find that a mass majority of nurses suffer from depression and anxiety. It's not just a nursing thing but a societal thing. Through my own personal experiences and work experiences, I've found that the "normal" people are the minority and a then there is the rest of us. If this is a personal issue with you, you'll do fine as long as you take care of yourself, just like a diabetic would have to. It's a disease and has to be treated as so.

kambra · Feb 4, 2009

I am a nurse and I do have both issues. My depression is controlled, but I have to say that my anxiety has gotten worse as a nurse. It is about treatment, and if your superiors are willing to work with you, unbiased, you will do just fine. I do not make alot of mistakes or anything.

jackson145 · Feb 4, 2009

I'm guessing you'd be hard pressed to find a healthcare worker who didn't have one or the other (or both) of these problems. It's like it's in the water these days!

And remember, mild anxiety can actually improve a persons performance.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Feb 5, 2009

alot of nurses have anxiety and depression. i have it and alot of people at work know i take zoloft and have for years. my anxiety and depression started not because of nursing but because my little niece was raped. i never got over it and and work seems to increase my anxiety. i am just fine at work and have been a nurse for 24 years now. it is nust like any illness you need to take care of yourself . i work only 3 days a week and take my other 4 off. i did have a part time job but quit because it was to much stress and a long 12 hours.

i don't get anxious or nervous at work and to busy to be depressed . so work is good for you in many ways.

BEDPAN76 · Feb 5, 2009

Why hasn't someone invented Xanax patches????? Seriously, thank the lord for Zoloft. I have noticed that people (co-workers) who could really benefit from it are the ones to say they would "never" take anything....Go figure... :confused:

kambra · Feb 5, 2009

I have been told for 15 year that I had depression and anxiety. I never believed it. After my daughter was born 4 yrs ago, it got really really bad. To a point where I could not be a good mom with it. Up until then I could handle it, although rough. Well I was put on prozac and it was like a new life. I felt wonderful. End of last year I had SEVERAL thing happen in a 2 month time that seem to start my anxiety engine and it has been a very very rough ride, In Nov I ended up at the ER for palps and a heart rate of 160ish, and prescribed xanax .25. I was convinced it was cardiac and not anxiety, I had never had anything that physical happen to me due to anxiety, AND nothing happened that day. I am scared to be addicted to anything so I only take it prn maybe 4 pills a week. It has helped with the acute part of it, I am in the process controlling it other ways.

NurseKatie08, MSN · Feb 5, 2009

I have GAD, which I've managed with cognitive-behavioral therapy and prn Atenolol prior to big events (my NCLEX, for instance). My anxiety is fairly well controlled, and I don't find it detrimental at all at work. I think it almost reminds me to do things, because I am huge on checklists since I get nervous that I will forget something.

diane227, LPN, RN · Feb 5, 2009

I have major depression with some anxiety. Well controlled on medication.

liveyourlife747 · Feb 5, 2009

I have PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I function very well with zoloft. I can tell if I forgot to take it for the day because I am more sensitive to emotions. I work a very low stress job and that helps control my anxiety as well. There are bad days, but getting up and working/going to school helps me get out of my slump. But I feel I deserve a day in bed every once in awhile when I have the whole day off =)

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2009

I went through a period of anxiety/depression during my first year. I was doing too much OT. I quit doing the OT and my second year was better.

I dont think you can compare "societal" depression to what we face as nurses. The stresses placed on us on a daily basis is not "moderate" or healthy stress. It is more the severe/unhealthy type that comes home with us. We can not simply tell ourselves "Just leave work at work" and expect to be well. Even the experienced, skillfull nurses are apt to show signs of depression.

How do I avoid it? Well, to start with, I keep a bussy stress free life outside work. Meaning is, I dont allow myself to sit around the house all day when I am off. I often go to the national parks and hike on my off days. I also Kyak and go to baseball games. I use my hobbies to put things into perspective. I also avoid OT unless it is a dire need for the unit for me to help out. I dont do the "Hey, can you work for me, my friend is in town" OT anymore. I avoid acohol except for an occasional drink during a ballgame. I always make sure I am in close contact with friends and family, they notice first if I am withdrawing into my apt. and hiding from everything. And finally, I strive to be the best possible nurse I can be and have no regrets about the care I give. I use my respected peers as my measureing stick for this, not administration (they have their own agendas, my well being not toping the list).

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 5, 2009

I started suffering from occasional anxiety attacks when my mother died ten years ago, and Zoloft is my best friend when they occur. I seem to get them twice a year, and recent events of the economy and wondering what will happen has brought on some of the symptoms for me. I usually know when it is starting, and go get a prescription of Zoloft from my primary provider. I function quite well, and as mentioned, sometimes, a bit of anxiety can improve performance, but the dehabilitating ones can be bad if not treated.