If you think about it, perhaps human beings are not that well adapted to come together to work! 

For thousands of years, close-knit groups of people would live, hunt, and farm, and the bonds that tied them consisted of familial relationships, friendship and social groups. Today, in our post-industrial, fast-paced, stressful professional working lives we mix and interact with large groups of people who come together solely for work. Is surprising that some of us will admit, “I’m struggling”?

Of course we have family lives, which can bring their own mental health challenges, but is it even slightly surprising that the modern professional work environment can constitute a perfect setting in which mental health issues arise?

“I’m struggling”

Just think of the stress, anxiety, pressure, competition, insecurity, long hours and a host of other challenges that we all experience at one time or another in the workplace. In terms of the social evolution of our species, working can perhaps be viewed as somewhat artificial and alien to our natural selves. 

High-pressure workplaces can become emotional cauldrons in which almost anyone – not just the vulnerable – can be swept around, unable to escape the boiling pot of emotions and feel like they cannot cope or say that they feel anxious, I’m struggling or I need a break!

Not surprisingly, then, a report published by CIPD last year stated that mental ill health remains the most common cause of long-term absence from the workplace. The report revealed large workloads, difficult management styles, problematic relationships at work, and poor work–life balances as the main triggers of stress in the last twelve months, alongside Covid-related anxiety and new challenges surrounding home-working.  

The mental health of employees is a vital consideration for employers, not least because they have a duty of care to ensure their staff’s wellbeing under health and safety legislation.  

From a more pragmatic and economic point of view, a mentally healthy workplace is more productive, positive and creative. By supporting employees’ mental wellbeing, employers can ensure that staff perform to their full potential, benefiting everyone. 

The most recent ‘Thriving at Work’ review stated that poor mental health costs the UK economy up to £99bn every year, with a huge £42bn of this lost through sickness absence, presenteeism and staff turnover – such numbers, even if overstated, show just how vital it is to look after your staff.  

Amie Calvert, an account manager for a Midlands-based multimedia agency, first noticed her mental health declining in 2018. She had been at her firm for two years and started to feel unwell each day as she commuted to her office.   

“I’d never considered myself an anxious person, but when I accepted a promotion to Account Manager everything seemed to spiral.  

“The expectations were higher as was the volume of work and I didn’t feel supported. It seemed that now I was in a senior position I should keep any concerns to myself and I don’t work well like that. 

“I would try and relax on a Saturday but as soon as the weekend drew to a close, my stress levels would rise along with a sense of deep dread. I wasn’t enjoying life anymore and it was all because of my job.” 

A recent report carried out by Champion Health in early 2022 revealed that 67% of UK professionals are experiencing moderate to high levels of workplace stress and nearly 60% of employees feel anxious while working.  

This is clearly a trend that cannot be ignored. 

So why do I feel like I’m struggling, what are the main issues that workers face and why do they commonly occur? Let’s have a look.

Anxiety  

Looming deadlines, mounting pressure and heavy workloads can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress. The physical and mental symptoms include negative thoughts, heart palpitations, sweating, dry mouth, nausea and shortness of breath. Sufferers may also notice fatigue, muscle tension, loss of concentration and shaking (tremors).  

Amie said:

“I’m struggling, I felt physically unwell and the pressure of trying manage the sensations alongside a full-time job induced even more panic. I fell so far behind because it took all of my strength and time to calm myself down.”  

Why does anxiety in the workplace happen? The number of reasons is myriad, but can certainly include: 

• Unachievable expectations from colleagues 

• The pressure of seniority  

• Unmanageable workloads or seemingly unattainable goals 

• A mismatch between management expectation and staff’s ability to deliver, whether real or imagined 

• Lack of support or empathy from managers  

• Juggling too many projects at once 

• Perfectionism  

Depression 

Persistent low mood, poor concentration, lethargy, lack of interest in things you once enjoyed, tiredness or insomnia and changes in eating habits are common signs of depression.  

Going to a job that you dread each day can lead to feelings of hopelessness and entrapment. It is common for individuals to feel that work is relentless and they have no respite or escape from the pressure.  

Full-time employees can spend more time with their colleagues than their own families when the going gets tough and that is a long time to be unhappy.  

Why does depression in the workplace happen? 

• Negative thoughts about work 

• Spiralling anxiety  

• Feeling trapped in a job 

• Not keeping weekends and annual leave work-free 

• Lack of sleep and appropriate nourishment  

• Lack of self-confidence in ability to do a good job 

Eating Disorders 

Many mental health conditions are the result of unhealthy coping strategies and eating disorders are no different.  

Restricting your food intake or overeating are both common ways to manage workplace stress. Other symptoms include becoming secretive around mealtimes, binge eating, purging, weight loss or gain, constant thoughts about food, increase in exercise and body consciousness.  

Why do eating disorders in the workplace happen? 

• A coping strategy to deflect from the stress of work  

• Busy schedules interfering with mealtimes  

• Lack of exercise if working at a desk  

• Body image issues 

• Scrutiny from colleagues about your eating patterns 

• Group lunches or shared staff kitchens  

• Changes in appetite as a result of stress  

Substance Misuse  

Ever found yourself having a glass of wine or an extra pint in the evenings to take the edge off a stressful day at work? Many of us do, but when a person begins to depend on alcohol, cigarettes, or stimulants of any kind it can be a sign of substance misuse and addiction.  

The physical and mental symptoms of this include mood swings, tremors, agitation, tiredness, poor concentration and judgement, lack of pride in personal appearance and hygiene, memory problems and paranoia.  

Why does substance misuse in the workplace happen? 

• An escape from pressures of work 

• A coping strategy when stressed 

• To enhance performance 

• To aid calm and relaxation 

• To feel more confident  

• To distract from pain and anguish 

 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 

Whilst workplace stress is not the most common cause of OCD, it is renowned for exacerbating and triggering compulsions and obsessive behaviour.  

Signs of OCD in the workplace can include perfectionism, difficulty concentrating, taking longer to complete tasks as a result of obsessive thoughts and doubt, relentless list making, ritualistic behaviour in the office and avoiding large meetings or communal areas for fear of triggers.  

Why does OCD in the workplace happen: 

• Pressure to work to a perfect or very high standard 

• Fear of being viewed as incompetent 

• A coping strategy when stressed 

• Fear of contamination  

• Working away from home in public offices which are untidy, unclean or disordered  

I’m struggling: How to tell someone that you have issues at work

Whilst disclosing information about your mental health may feel uncomfortable there are benefits in doing so. You may be given access to additional support or requests for workplace adjustments and you will no longer have to hide your struggles from those around you.  

Here at HeadClear, we have developed an app that can also help with such conversations and act as a platform from which to start a confident discussion about your wellbeing. By taking a short video, it uses Insight Optical Imaging (IOI) technology to observe your breathing and heart rates, then coupled with your answers to ten short questions, calculates your wellbeing and stress management scores.

Collating these over time will reveal patterns that you can use in meetings with colleagues to visually demonstrate how you have been feeling. You may only show what you are comfortable with, and your organisation cannot see any confidential information or individual responses to the questions asked.  

It’s important to remember that employers have a duty of care to their staff and are legally bound to adhere to health and safety regulation and law.  

Organisations like Mind and the Mental Health Foundation have online resources to help you feel more confident to speak to someone and receive appropriate help.