New Survey Finds Women With Depression SayIt’s A Leading Barrier To Workplace Success, Yet Many Go Undiagnosed (NAPSA)—Anew survey found that leaving work early, not returning from lunch, and avoid- ing contact with coworkersare all behaviors of depressed working women. Despite the fact that 83 percent of the depressed working women surveyed perceived depression as the number-one barrier to success for women in the workplace, 40 percent of them go undiagnosed. who don’t find treatment is considerable. The survey found that 89 percent of women who quit or lost their job while suffering from depression attribute the loss to Survey Highlights of “Depression Among Womenin the Workplace” third of respondents said their depression “completely interferes” Working women perceive depression as a leading barrier to success in the workplace. their condition, and nearly onewith their ability to do their job. Additionally, the survey reported “Tt is of paramount importance that we work together to destig- that depressed working women tend to be more quiet in the office, are unmotivated, and are more prone to make mistakes. seek appropriate help. To face depression without appropriate mately 19 million American adults each year and interferes with the ability to work, sleep, matize depression and to ensure that people living with depression supports, such as psychotherapy and medication, is to risk suffer- ing longer and more intensely than necessary,” said Lynn C. Epstein, M.D., president, Ameri- can Medical Women’s Association. “Instead, we want to encourage womento get the help they need to virtually eliminate their emotional and physical symptoms and to regain their sense of well-being. Once this is achieved, women can get back to being themselves, and Depression affects approxi- eat, study, and enjoy once pleasur- able activities. Symptoms of depression may be emotional, such as restlessness and loss of pleasure, and/or physical, such as headache and vague aches and pains. The “Depression Among Womenin the Workplace” survey was sponsored by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)and the National Mental are likely to regain their prior per- Health Association (NMHA), and funded by Wyeth Pharmaceuti- An estimated 5 million American working women suffer from that untreated depression has on formancelevel at work.” depression. According to the sur- vey, women who receive treatment for their depression, espe- cially medication, experience significant benefits. In fact, after being treated, 97 percent of women taking medication re- ported regaining their previous level of work productivity and reestablishing past relationships with coworkers. Ninety-five per- cent reported the ability to feel good again and a renewed interest in work. On the other hand, the impact of depression for working women cals. The initiative was created to raise awareness about the impact the workplace and to encourage those who suffer from the condi- tion to seek treatment that will help them reach virtual elimination of symptoms. “Career GOAL!: Overcoming Depression in the Workplace” is an extension of the GOAL! (Go On And Live!) cam- paign, a national depression awareness campaign launched in April 2002. For more information about depression or the GOAL! campaign, visit www.GoOnAndLive.com or call toll free at 1-888-830-GOAL for a free brochure. Depression was perceived as the numberonecareer obstacle by 83 percentof surveyed depressed working women. Sixty-two percentof working women not yet diagnosed agreethat depression is a leading perceived barrier to success in the office. Employed women suffering from depression benefit from treatment and medication. Between 94 and 99 percent of women taking medication credit relief of symptomsfor improvementsat work. Women who havevirtually eliminated their symptomsof depression describe themselves as regainingtheir selfconfidence and resuminginterest in their own growth. Depressed working women don’t seek treatment quickly. Only 47 percent of women diagnosed with depression seekhelp right away. Forty percent of working women with depressive symptoms remain undiagnosed. Depression impacts absenteeism, turnover, and productivity in the workplace. Absenteeism among depressed women averages 10.6 days per year comparedto 5 days per year among working womenin general. Thirty percent of working women suffering from depressioneither quit or lose a job. @
