Company without address Employee mental health A new study suggests they may be self-sabotaging.
Adults with social anxiety and depression tend to work fewer hours, according to the agency recent research Published in Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice.
Researchers analyzed data from 250 adults between the ages of 18 and 60 who had been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. For 52 weeks, they tracked each participant’s work hours and recorded their symptoms of anxiety and depression to see if their mental state could predict work hours.
Natalie Dattilo, a clinical psychologist and lecturer at Harvard Medical School, says that when poor mental health persists, both CEOs and employees are negatively affected. Depression and anxiety disorders are treated differently, she said, but they can both cause people to isolate.
“Avoidance creates isolation and withdrawal, and limits our opportunities for positive reinforcing experiences,” she says.
A job can provide some security that is often overlooked.
“Work has a protective effect on our mental health,” she said. “Working holistically is good for us from a mental health perspective. It provides structure to our lives, gives us something to do, and gives us a chance to interact with other people, not to mention it gives us an income. “
“The less we do, the less likely we are to experience things that make us feel better”
A person who struggles with certain anxiety tendencies may find it challenging to go to work, give presentations, and interact with colleagues, but ultimately will not be bothered by their decision to do so.
“In most cases, we can put things together and feel better after doing them,” Dattilo said. “For people with anxiety disorders, they don’t feel good. They go through the day. The rest of the time is spent overthinking, brooding, or obsessing about how you are doing and what other people are thinking.”
If they feel frustrated, harsh self-criticism can ensue. This may result in them leaving early, taking sick leave, or even further self-isolating.
Ironically, the more they avoided work, the worse their symptoms of anxiety and depression became, Dattilo said.
“The less we do and the more we avoid, the less likely we are to experience things that make us feel better,” she said.
By taking care of their employees’ mental health, companies may actually help their bottom line.
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