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Debilitating depression

Garry Hertzberg, practising attorney and presenter on the Laws of Life on Cliffcentral.com, writes:

DEPRESSION is a lot more common than one may think and it has been dubbed the ‘common cold of mental illness’.

Although we tend to use the word ‘depressed’ far too often to explain numerous sad feelings, it is a serious medical condition. The law has come to view depression as a disability and any employer with a depressed employee should bear this in mind.

The most important legal question in this regard is whether or not an individual who suffers from depression is entitled to sick leave from work. The good news is that a person who suffers from depression can legally obtain sick leave in order to recover and seek help.

In the working world, many people, especially those in high profile positions, are too ashamed to admit that they are depressed. The fact of the matter is that depression is a debilitating disease and the sufferer experiences a wide range of symptoms that can affect productivity. Studies have shown that an increase in depression in the workplace has led to a decrease in productivity.

Symptoms may include insomnia, severe anxiety and impaired concentration. It is therefore in the best interests of the employer to give the sufferer substantial time off of work to recover.

There are countless therapies that are used to help those with depression. Some are less conventional than others and different people react differently to varying treatments. One of the most contemporary forms of treatment mentioned by a guest on my show is ‘Journey Therapy’. This form of therapy encourages the sufferer to go back in time and dig deep into their past in order to uncover why he or she is depressed. A trigger could be an incident that occurred decades ago and it is amazing what the human mind latches onto.

Depression can creep into anybody’s life at any moment. The symptoms are just as severe – if not more severe – than those of any other illness. A death in the family, a breakup or even the crime around us, could trigger severe depression.

The most important thing to remember is that it is a mental health issue that should not be taken lightly – especially in the workplace.

Share your experiences with depression on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

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