It is hard to ignore a co-worker whose eyes fill with tears during a meeting for no apparent reason. A colleague may angrily explode without provocation. A responsible colleague who was a model of timeliness arrives increasingly late to work or struggles to meet deadlines.
A mood disorder can alter an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional state and, if left untreated, may interfere with one’s ability to function. Mood disorders include depression, seasonal affect disorder (SAD), and bipolar disorder.
It is often excruciatingly difficult for someone wrestling with mental illness to admit when they are struggling – to themselves or to anyone else. Author, Jane Austen, once wrote, “Sometimes I have kept my feelings to myself because I could find no language to describe them.” When an employee at work struggles with a mood disorder, it can create stress within the work environment.
How do you recognize when someone at work is wrestling with a mood disorder?
One in five U.S. adults struggle with some form of mental illness every year [National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 2015]. Mental illness contributes to the leading cause of workplace absenteeism [World Health Organization (WHO), 2017].
People struggle with memory, concentration, organization, and making decisions for a variety of reasons. It is not uncommon to experience a lack energy and or a desire to withdraw from others from time to time. However, someone who may have a mood disorder exhibits symptoms that last for an extended period of time.
What can employees do when someone at work has a mood disorder?
WHO (2017) reports, “A person may have the skills to complete tasks, but they may have too few resources to do what is required, or there may be unsupportive managerial or organizational practices.” To complicate matters, bullying and harassment at work add greater psychological and physical stress to individuals struggling with a mood disorder. Challenges that arise when someone at work has a mood disorder often leads to reduced productivity and increased staff turnover.
Listed below are ways employees can offer support to someone struggling with a mood disorder at work:
What can employers do when someone at work has a mood disorder?
An employee with a mood disorder may need workplace accommodations to do their jobs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA requires employers to “provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities” unless doing so would present undue hardship. Adequate accommodations (i.e.: permission to listen to music, adjustments within the workspace, time off for appointments, etc.) create the least restrictive environment and should not interfere with other employees or the work environment.
These suggestions offer ways employers can offer support to someone struggling with a mood disorder at work:
Use these suggestion to create workplace boundaries that protect everyone:
What do you do when someone with a mood disorder expresses a desire to share confidential information?
You may choose to listen if a fellow employee with a mood disorder chooses to confide in you, but it is important to establish appropriate boundaries. Set time limits. Allow discussion before or after work or during breaks. Do not take sides or become overly-involved in the individual’s personal life. Remember you are an employee – not a therapist.
“You don’t have to fix me,” said Sarah Jane, a young woman struggling with depression at work. “Ask me how I’m doing.” She added, “I am doing the best I can and I know you are, too. You show your support when you don’t act ashamed of me. Be kind. That’s more than enough.”
Mental illness need not prevent employees from quality performance or contributions to a positive work environment. When employers and employees work together to provide support for an employee with a mood disorder, it is not uncommon for relationships within organizations to strengthen, trust deepens, and their commitment to teamwork increases over time. Joint efforts to support employees may be especially helpful to those who are struggling and have not yet found the courage to ask for help.
When there are collaborative efforts at work to support one another, everyone wins.
What can you do to support colleagues and contribute to a positive work environment?
Do you feel alone and isolated? Build Your Support System and surround yourself with a positive network.
Replace Old Tapes with New Messages if you are struggling with negative self-talk.
A mood disorder may lie beneath the behavior of a bully, but it is never an excuse. These suggestions explain How to Stand Up to Bullies.
Open channels of discussion with a child or teen with these tips from Teach Youth How to Communicate and Resolve Conflict.
Once crippled with depression and agoraphobia (a debilitating anxiety disorder), Julie Connor, Ed.D. empowers businesses, schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations with training and resources to recognize and successfully interact with employees and colleagues with mood disorders.
Julie specializes in communication, conflict resolution, and empowers others with skills and tools to transform challenges into opportunities. Dr. Connor is the author of an award-winning personal goal-setting book, Dreams to Action Trailblazer’s Guide.