Can professional people feel lonely and depressed?

Question

I heard today that there are a couple of people in the Department who suffer from depression. They are university academics/lecturers.

Do you think depression among the professional high salary workers is on the increase?

Are you a professional who has experienced feelings of loneliness and depression?

Answer 1

I think anyone can suffer from loneliness/depression. I would imagine that in a highly stressful job/environment the stats would be higher than normal.

Answer 2

I don't think there is an increase in the statistics I just think people are becoming more aware of the problem. Many think it is a poor mans problem but it is everyone. Alot of professional people feel depressed (and have felt depressed for a long time) because of the pressures they have to meet in both their personal and professional life. I think that many of them were just not comfortable with admitting their problems because it would make them feel less successful..... they would feel like they were lacking in some way or another.

Answer 3

I doubt whether your professional status has that much directly to do with your propensity for depression, although if you a struggling to make a decent living I guess it might. One corollation that might be accurate is between IQ and depression. The more you analyse the world, the more likely you are to become depressed. As a general rule, professionals tend to be a little smarter.
The other factor is your personality and disposition. These are more important to your overall happiness than professional status. Some of that is genetic, hormonal, etc.
I like everyone else who spends probably too much time in contemplation of the happenings in the world, expirience many and mixed emotions as a result of my musings - disappointment, alienation, frustration, wonder.

It is the lot of all compassionate and sentient beings.

Answer 4

Anyone can suffer from depression. It often has much to do with a chemical imbalance, rather than a "way of thinking". This being said, lots of stress can lead to depression as well as having an imbalanced life. People often deal with their depression, by focusing on work and keeping "extra busy". Rather than addressing the real reasons they are depressed. And yes, I’m a professional, and deal with depression. How do I deal? I take my meds, and try to keep balance in everything.

Answer 5

I'm not really depressed more constantly annoyed at how our country seems to slide backwards. There is a lot to be frustrated about- a lot of red tape and unnecessary meddling for businesses trying to be responsible and above board.

Academics are poorly paid and they're expected to research as well as teach and supervise.

Teachers I would imagine would be depressed too. Office workers don't look the happiest either- not too many whistle on their way to work do they?

No job security, no reward for loyalty, sliding salaries as compared to CPI and cost of living, constantly under threat of outsourcing, double mortgages and even physical violence- what's there to be happy about for these people?

Answer 6

Depression is a clinical condition, with specific symptomatic occurrences. It is different for example from grief, or temporary sadness due to loss of a loved one or money.

Loneliness is a relative term. Most professional or intellectuals actually find isolation therapeutic. After all their brain is their weapon and tool, and they need to know how to look after it.

I think recession might be a more appropriate word than depression.

I have experienced grief and isolation. I have never been diagnosed with depression.

Answer 7

I have never heard of such a thing! I am shocked and amazed at the astounding discovery which you alone have uncovered! I would have never imagined that well educated and high salaried persons could suffer from emotional or mental problems like depression, of all things. I feel that you should form an exploratory committee right away to look further into this matter. You may have uncovered one of the most hidden secrets of all time!

Answer 8

everybody has the ability and liberty to feel lonely and depressed... high salary workers, the ones on the top of the heap usually work very hard to get there so there for they have little time for people or there work is social enough where they have relationships with other people where they wouldn't be lonely and consiquently not (as) depressed... you can be surrounded by people and still be lonely

Answer 9

Of course. Anyone can suffer from depression and loneliness. Many workplaces now offer confidential counselling services and I believe the uptake is quite high.

Answer 10

Anyone can get depressed. But I would have thought that having any sort of job where you can't just switch off from it when you switch off your computer at the end of the day carries a higher risk of depression than something socially and emotionally undemanding