how can you the approach the subject of depression?

Question

a work colleague appears to be depressed (negative view of self, the world and others). The negativity is now affecting others and management have noticed. A line manager has been given the task of talking to my colleague regarding his negative attitude during shift handover. How should the line manager tackle this and appear sensitive and compassionate and not 'picking'? Has anyone experienced this, advice regarding either point of view would be great!

Answer 1

Its a very difficult subject to approach, because a lot of the time, the 'patient' is quite agressive/temperamental/angry. Good Luck anyway.

Answer 2

I have looked at the preceding three answers and I have to say they are very good but the thing is you cant approach this subject properly and sensitively unless you are a doctor or a psychologist. The only way you can do this is be blunt. Tell him you want him to leave unless he cheers up. If it really is depression he will leave dejected. If not he will sue the manager. The long and the short of it is it is not your business unless it is affecting your wages in which case you should take the manager to task. REMEMBER your running a business not a charity. If it,s not your business then leave it alone unless it's getting you down too. I would take your manager to task if he thinks he can pass the buck. Good luck. It's a very personal and legal subject.

Answer 3

The simple practice of what is called

The Mindfulness of Breathing greatly

(according to Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD) reduces

anxieties, depression, stress, worries, negative

attitudes, & creates healthy self-esteem/image !

His book on this is called "Coming to Our

Senses". Or if anyone is a little strapped for

money, Go to Wildmind Buddhist Meditations

Site, and direct yourself to The MIndfulness

of Breathing. The 4 Step Technique, yes - was

founded by The Buddha, but a person does not

have to be buddhist to practice this. It is simple

to practice this, takes only 15 - 20 min. a day,

which is nothing considering we all have an

entire 24 HRS. in a day. It is proven by

Medical Doctors, and Cognitive Behavioral

Therapists all around the world today, to

greatly reduce anxieties, stress, worries, and

a negative, pesimistive attitude/thinking.

It has also already been proven to Stimulate

the cognitive area of the brain - The Frontal

Lobe area, improving memory, concentration,

focus, and analytical thinking !

The practice also helps one develop more

Patience toward oneself and others, and

Endurance (which goes a step further than

Patience) allowing us, through a calm mental

state, to endure, go successfully through any

situation with a optimistic, sound mind.

I, actually am not trying to promote a book, or

a website to visit, only attempting to help

one see clearly how effective the Daily 15 min.

practice of The Mindfulness of Breathing

is, for those who chosse to have an humble,

teachable, attitude. The many Statistics

have proven the Success of The MIndfulness

of Breathing. It is up to the individual to really

care about himself, to do something about it.

Your friend, &/or co-worker is fortunate to have

a friend like you who cares about him.

Probably many other people at your work,

have already written him off; have totally

given up on him. But friendship never gives

up. And the simple 4 step practice of The

Mindfulness of Breathing could be taught

by Management, for everyone. It would

increase productivity, and bring a much calmer,

anxiety free, environment in the workplace.

Mindfulness simple means being Fully Attentive,

Alert, and at one's best, in the present moment.

Keep an open mind.

P.S - If anger, resentment, irritability is an

issue, There is a most excellent book out

called: "Working with Anger."

By: Thubten Chodron. Her book has sold

over 8 million copies, proven to be that success-

ful for people. It provides sensible, accurate

answers as to why human beings get angry,

and excellent techniques on how to work with

our anger in very wholesome, positive, construc

tive ways. It provides the healthy alternatives

to anger, for the betterment of mental, emotion-

al, and physical health. " It teaches a person

how to approach others who have to deal with

their anxiety, anger, and depression in a very

positive, encouraging manner! Explain also how

a person can deal effectively with criticism,

and gossip. This book is offered online, or

possibly through a local library to check out, for

it has been out for more than 8 years.

Hope all this information helps your

management, as well as your friend, and/or

yourself. Have a calm, peaceful, happy 2007' !

Answer 4

That's a bad situation to have. It sounds like U care 4 this person. If your friends U can talk or ask if they need to talk. Sometimes one going through depression needs someone 2 talk 2 but they don't want to bother others with their problems. Depression is a horrible thing to go through. It's a very personal matter. If they R not doing their job right some company's have help 4 the employees. That is what they need. If there R no friends close enough to them to talk about it. I would look in to the companies benefits. They need some professional help & can get some meds to thelp them. I have been diganosed with sever clinical depression. i can relate to this & the effects on others. I hope this helped.

Answer 5

some people are just born depressed or suicidal. i know a guy and both his parents are suicides. hes pretty brave for even going out of the house. he might not ever marry or do anything but hes still kicking. whats the point eh?

Answer 6

Look at this page http://www.healthadel.com/articles/9/1/Depression-Treatments/Page1.html to better understand depression, it will help.