Pay attention to employee's mental needs and save billions, psychiatrist tells business

Dr Franco Colin, of Pretoria, a well-known commentator on psychiatric matters, said that South Africa lost millions of hours of productive service through mental illness caused by bipolar disorder, clinical depression, substance abuse, stress and other causes. Yet, little attention was paid to the problem.

“People misunderstand mental illness and, in South Africa, still attach labels to these types of illness, creating a stigma surrounding people who suffer from them.”

It is estimated that four to eight percent of the population suffer from bipolar disease (manic depression) which is a chemical imbalance of the brain that impacts on behaviour, causing bouts of deep depression followed by periods of frenetic activity, Dr Colin said.

“Many more suffer from the more common major depressive disorder (clinical depression). People equate depression with sadness and don't realise that the symptoms associated with this include sleeplessness, lack of appetite, loss of pleasure and low libido amongst other things,” Dr Colin said.

Depression is a serious matter, he said, adding that any event in which the above symptoms lasted for more than two weeks should be treated with anti depressants. The international standard for treatment was one year following a bout of depression.

“Depression is a thing that never leaves you,” he said. “Statistics show that once you have had a bout of depression, the chances of it recurring are 60%. If you have had two attacks of depression there is a 90% likelihood of a third. Have a third attack and your chances of suffering again are 100%.”

“If a person suffers two or more attacks they will probably require treatment for the rest of their lives.”

People could also suffer from “adjustment disorders” triggered by stressful events, such as a death in the family, divorce or other major occurrences that induced high levels of stress. “Physical illness can also be a factor. An under active thyroid, hormonal imbalances and cancer can also trigger feelings of depression,” Dr Colin said.

Stress in the workplace and in personal lives was a major cause of mental distress. Stress that was turned inwards, rather than dealt with as an external issue, could cause the body's chemistry to react, develop vulnerabilities within a person and create ongoing feelings of anxiety and loss of self worth.

Within the workplace, this would typically be seen in a person becoming withdrawn, losing their focus, being unable to match their previous levels of creativeness and ultimately lead to dissatisfaction by the person's superiors.

Turning to popular folklore regarding depression, Dr Colin said many people commonly referred to men suffering from depression in their 40s as being afflicted with “male menopause”. There was no such illness, but it was possible for men to suffer from Androgen Deficiency Syndrome – a lack of testosterone production, which could trigger behavioural changes.

Many men could also suffer from depression if they felt their careers had stalled and believed that they were worthless – feelings that could trigger the symptoms of clinical depression.

Dr Colin advised people who were experiencing the symptoms of depression at work and at home to consult a doctor or psychiatrist for help.

“There is a belief that these illnesses can be treated through self medication with ‘over the counter' herbal remedies and that natural is better. This is not true. Herbs cannot replicate the chemicals created by the brain substances that are replicated in drugs that have been tested. Herbs have no effect on moods whatsoever,” he said.

The modern tendency within business to establish Employee Assistance Programmes was to be encouraged as these could play a major role in identifying stresses and possible mental health disorders before they became a problem in the workplace and at home.

“As the majority of these schemes are contracted out to specialist companies, employees should feel free to use their services. They are staffed by specialists who usually consult with the employee before referring them on to the appropriate professional practitioner for help. Confidentiality is guaranteed, making the service attractive to those who do not want to let fellow employees know they are looking for help.”

“Above all, people should remember that mental illness can be treated and like most things should be treated as soon as symptoms arise. The sooner you are treated, the better the prognosis.”

Pfizer South Africa
85 Bute Lane
Sandton
www.pfizer.com

Enquiries:
Solly Mabotha
011 320 6000
solly.mabotha@pfizer.com