Depression experienced by individuals in a profession is largely dependent on the kind of pressure they face. This can be related to the responsibilities laid on them, the time frames in which they work or the amount of control they have over a situation. Organizational psychologists state that in addition to this, monotony can contribute to feelings of depression.
According to literature on psychology, depression is chiefly characterized by severe and persistent low moods (depression), loss of pleasure in activities previously enjoyed (anhedonia), lack of appetite, chronic fatigue and disturbances in sleep pattern.
This can be accompanied by suicidal ideations, a reduction in motor activity and feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Here is a list of jobs in which the most number of depressive episodes are reported:
1. Nursing Profession
2. Food Service
3. Social Work
4. Health Care
7. Administrative Support
8. Maintenance and Ground Work
9. Financial Advice and Accounting
Nursing professionals have most incidences of a major depressive episode. With 11% individuals in this health care profession experiencing depression, psychologists are evaluating the different aspects that contribute to it. One aspect can be tending to sick people and having the responsibility of nursing them back to health. When this is combined with the possibility that a number of these patients may not return to good health, it can contribute to depressed feelings.
Psychologists believe that affirmations about performance can make a person feel positive about their work. However, nurses rarely experience this positive reinforcement as they predominantly interact with people who are mostly incapable of expressing affirmation owing to their health. In addition to nurses, caretakers of children and old people are also extremely prone to depression.
Staff in the food service industry is probably in the second most depressing job. Around 10% of people in this field report experiencing an episode of major depression. A predominant reason for this is the low wages in this industry. The staff at restaurants and eateries has to stay on their feet for long hours.
They are expected to take instructions and comments from their customers. Besides, the food service staff gets very little verbal and monetary appreciation from their customers. These factors make it difficult for the staff to stay motivated when on the job.
Those in the field of social work are next on the list of those in the most depressing jobs. This is because social workers deal with a number of people who are experiencing crisis. These people may be children who are orphaned, women who were abused or old people who are homeless. In addition to this, social workers all over the world also have to handle issues of socially oppressed groups to help them fight for their basic rights.
These responsibilities make the field of social work depressing and stressful. Psychologists say that those working in this field are expected to make sacrifices to meet the requirements of those who seek their help. Over time, these sacrifices can lead to burn out and depression in social workers.
While people in the nursing profession are considered the most depressed, those in the rest of the health care profession are believed to be in the fourth most depressing job in the world. People in this field include doctors, therapists, clinical psychologists and health care assistants. A behavioral science study revealed that close to 25% physicians reported a two week period of depression.
According to this study, anesthesiologists are more likely to experience anhedonia – a lack of joy in activities that previously interested them. In addition to this, the report stated that with work timings for surgeons and therapists on-call being erratic, their work life balance gets disrupted. They see death, trauma and sickness on a daily basis, which contributes to a depressed mood.
Artists are believed to experience the next highest episodes of depression and historically this depression has been linked to the quality of their work. While depression in people in other fields can reduce their quality of work, the same in artists is said to improve it. To understand this, social psychologists have carried out research that affirms this belief to some extent.
The psychologists say that there can be a possible biological and social pathway in artists that allows for this. In addition to artists, writers and entertainers are also considered a part of this fifth most depressing job. This is based on various studies conducted by behavioral science researchers, who have found a relationship between creative fields and depression.
A large number of teachers are believed to experience at least one episode of depression a year. This can be mainly because they have a highly stressful job that gets carried on through the day, as teachers are expected to carry work home. In addition to this, teachers have to consistently meet students’ expectations of being up to date with information and data regarding their subject.
Also, teachers are met with the stress of not only tutoring students but also ensuring their well being during the day as well as reporting to parents about students’ performance.
Staff working in the administrative support area also tends to experience episodes of depression. This can be largely due to the fact that their skills are in demand in situations where they have little control. Secretaries and support staff in the administrative area are expected to handle myriad responsibilities that help an organization function smoothly.
However, they get very little recognition for their work. This can lead to low moods and feelings of worthlessness, which are symptoms of depression.
People in maintenance and ground work fields are believed to experience frequent bouts of depression owing to the fact that their work is called for only when required. Generally, maintenance and ground work staff is called on only when an aspect of the building’s functioning is disrupted.
Due to this, people in this field have to work odd hours making it difficult for them to establish a work life balance. They also have to work on varying schedules, have to deal with sliding pay scales and work frequent night shifts. These different aspects contribute a large turnover in this field and result in a large number of episodes of depression.
Professionals in the field of financial advice and accounting are also often highly stressed and depressed. This can be due to the fact that they have to handle the responsibility of other people’s finances, which can be demanding. Besides, the finances are connected to one of the most unpredictable variables in the field – the rise and fall of the market. Financial advisors and accountants also have to regularly deal with demanding clients who may be unappreciative, leading to feelings of worthlessness in them.
The last profession on this list of the most depressive jobs in the world is sales. People from this field are most often employed on commission, making it difficult for them to predict their next pay check. This uncertainty when combined with the fact that they have to spend a lot of time traveling can lead to depression.
Also, when sales people travel, they spend a considerable amount of time away from their families and friends because of which they experience a lack of a strong support system. In addition to this, their job involves tremendous amount of stress and pressure to meet targets.
While the rate of depression in these fields is considerably high, the rate in the unemployed crowd is estimated to be around 13%. This figure is 3% more than in any most depressing job on this list.