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Emotional Overdrive Leger reports 23% of the women surveyed with depression or anxiety quit their jobs, and 21% took disability leave at one point in their careers as a result of their conditions. Of those who continued to work, almost three quarters say these conditions left them feeling overwhelmed at work and 58% say these conditions left them unmotivated to get things done.
In addition, nearly half avoided contact with co-workers or stayed home from work, and 27% did not seek promotions due to their depression or anxiety.
The study, funded by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, reveals that 71% of respondents with depression and anxiety had children, yet surprisingly they rated their mood-related symptoms as greater barriers to workplace success than either pregnancy or child rearing.
STRESS, DEPRESSION
Experts agree that stress contributes to depression and anxiety: "When people feel they have given and given and it is never enough, they start to withdraw and stop caring about themselves and others. This often leads to depression," says therapist Marilyn Belleghem.
According to counsellor Heidi Cowie, "the study fails to mention that depression and anxiety weave their way into a woman's personal relationships."
The entire family structure and harmony can come tumbling down causing more depression and anxiety, she adds. "Families bear the brunt of our emotional turmoil. We are more apt to control our emotions at work but when we are home, we let them rip."
She says "statistical information can be manipulated in many ways to show the need for yet another medication to solve our woes. Drugs are not the only source of treatment." Cowie says people need to be given skills and strategic tools to eliminate roadblocks that prevent them from leading the lives they want.
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