Is working too much a sign of depression?
We don’t expect that depressed people are successful at work, surrounded by wealth, power and most of time with trophies and prizes.
But this is becoming a common issue in our society, and most of its signs are being shown from another type of behaviors. As usual we expect that people who have depression stays in bed all day facing the ceiling or talking a lot of negativity.
Overt depression is the most known because of its symptoms that last for at least for 2 weeks, where he or she may feel “down”, and “blue” or having a decreased interest in pleasurable activities, including sex. At least 4 of any following symptoms must be exhibited: weight loss or gain, too little or too much sleep, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty making decisions or forgetfulness, and preoccupation with death or suicide.
Covert depression is more difficult to be identified, it is hidden from those around and it is largely hidden from his/her own consciousness awareness, driving the many actions of the person just like irritability, violent behaviors, dominance, drinking, work addiction, emotional unavailability pushing away the ones he/she loves away.
When a covertly depressed person’s connection to the object of his / her addiction is undisturbed, he/she feels good about him/herself. But when connection to that object is disrupted his/her sense of self-worth plumets and his hidden depression begins to unfold.
As it was mentioned before, covert depression can lead in many ways of behaviors, specially work addiction, in that case the person will always try to reach to this addiction in order to find happiness or peace. But this will never be a sustainable solution since it is finished all the symptoms will arise again becoming a vicious circle. When coming back, you will never be able to recreate the same feeling that you had in the first time of the addiction, and your need for it will always increase until you can not go back and be free.
Always pay attention to daily symptoms but also try to watch your behaviors with those around you and specially the way you treat yourself.
Based on the book: I don’t want to talk about it – Terrence Real
Art: Zdzislaw Bersinski