On 8 Nov 96 at 18:56, Roxanne S. Abbas wrote:
> I am seeking information, insight and opinion on a phenomenon that I have
> been observing in my community over the past many months. This is my
> perception of a significant increase in serious depression among persons
> of all ages. My observation has been affirmed by colleagues in varied
> workplace environments, by educators (including pre-school teachers who
> are trying to cope with serious depression in 3 -4 year olds), mental
> health professionals and most recently, my own minister. He told me that
> about 1/3 of our members are living with depression (some chronic;some
> temporary) at this time.
I would second the observation. Unfortunately, I have no data, but suspect
that it would show an increase in clinical depression diagnosis.
> First, I would like to know if any of you has any data on the actual
> trends in cases of depression. Then, if my perception has validity, what
> is the cause(s). And if the employees in our organizations are coming to
> work depressed or dealing with serious depression of a spouse or a child,
> how can we expect them to be fully present and productive workers? To
> what extent is it the workplace itself or the increased stress and rate of
> change in the workplace that is causing or contributing to the depression?
> Or perhaps there really isn't an increased incidence, but people are
> simply more open to talking about it today. Or maybe this is only
> occurring in the western suburbs of Minneapolis and mostly among
> Presbyterians. What do you think? Or better yet, what do you know?
If we accept that incidence is "higher", and I do, it is still difficult
to answer your questions, although they are good ones. One very important
factor is that with the advent of more gentle anti-depressants (the SSRI
group), I suspect that there is a higher identification rate by the
medical profession.
All artifactual issues aside, if the increase is "real", I suspect it has
a great deal to do with the increased complexity of modern life, including
organizational life. My pet theory is that humans do have a limited
ability to deal with information, emotions,etc, and that our society has
moved faster (demands more of us) than earlier versions. One of the very
common symptoms of depression is a sense of being overhwhelmed.
The paradox. We have become a society hungry for stimulation, but have not
developed the ability to deal with that stimulation once we get it...kinda
like being careful about what we wish for.
I probably have a lot more comment, but will leave it for the moment, as
to its impact on organizations.
Robert Bacal, Bacal & Associates, rbacal@escape.ca
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