Depression experienced by 80% of office workers, if left unattended, leads to depression
Sep 21, 2025
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In particular, if going to work is difficult every morning, and the motivation for work disappears, it may not be just fatigue, but a sign of 'work depression'. In fact, more than 80% of office workers said they recently experienced depression, according to a survey.
◇Stress, double-edged sword...Mental and physical health deteriorates when accumulated for a long time
Worker depression is not caused by 'weak mind'. It is a disease caused by repeated heavy stress and an imbalance in brain nerve function. Stress increases concentration and work efficiency at an appropriate level, but excessive accumulation for a long time can lead to depression, anxiety, and further deterioration of physical health. In particular, this accumulated stress often appears as 'depression', and if not properly managed, it can develop into a mental disease such as a major depressive disorder.
◇ Suspect 'major depressive disorder' if light depression continues for more than two weeks
Anyone can feel temporary depression, but not all depression requires treatment. However, if you are depressed or lethargic for most of the day, your interest disappears, and your sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and suicide accidents persist almost every day for more than two weeks, you should suspect a "major depressive disorder". In this case, you must consult a psychiatrist and receive appropriate treatment.
However, even if it does not meet the diagnostic criteria, depression can lead to lower work efficiency, worsening interpersonal relationships, and increased risk of accidents. Therefore, the idea of 'It's okay because it's not too bad yet' is dangerous, and you need a habit of constantly checking your mood and lifestyle changes.
◇ From identifying the cause to treatment, you need to actively cope with depression
The depression of office workers stems from various factors such as heavy work, conflict in the workplace, family problems, economic difficulties, and health problems. Therefore, the first step is to identify the cause of depression and reduce continuous stress.
It is also very effective to confide your feelings to someone you can trust. It is even better if there is an object that you can sympathize with, such as family or friends. However, there is no need to worry if there are no suitable targets around. Just talking to a mental health welfare center, a counseling center, or a psychiatrist is a big enough help.
One thing to note is that staying in bed all day because you're depressed or reducing your activity is a shortcut to exacerbating symptoms. Rather, the more depressed you are, the more important it is to plan your body and increase activities that can make you feel better.
For example, steady exercise of about 30 minutes, more than three times a week, is effective in relieving depression.
The Department of Mental Health evaluates the current condition through interviews and psychological tests, and conducts non-pharmaceutical treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation therapy, and psychiatric treatment. If necessary, medication can be combined to prevent worsening of symptoms.
Professor Kim Hyun-kyu of the Department of Psychiatry at the National Health Insurance Ilsan Hospital emphasized, "If it is difficult to maintain daily life due to recent stress and depression, don't hesitate to visit an expert and receive accurate diagnosis and treatment. Mental health is as important as physical health, and early intervention is more important than anything else."
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
