This goes out to anyone stuck in a job they hate.
A study from an American health authority has detailed the occupations that are most likely to leave stressed, anxious or depressed and, surprisingly, those who deal with the public are the worst affected.
To put it this way, any job in which you’re required to put on an act for the public can lead people – they’re calling it “emotional labour” – can lead to the dark side.
Far from depression being common in people with high demand, high stakes jobs in finance or politics, it is, according to this report, most associated with having to deal with that most dreaded of species: other humans.
The study saw 214,413 people surveyed from 55 different industries over a three year period and came up with this list.
These are the 17 jobs that are most commonly linked to depression…
- Transportation driver
- Estate agent
- Social worker
- Manufacturer
- Personal services
- Legal services
- Housekeeper
- Membership organisations
- Security and commodities brokers
- Printing and publishing
- Agricultural services
- Retail
- Electric, gas, and sanitary
- Special trade contractors
- Petroleum and coal
- General merchandise retail
- Auto repair
If you are struggling with depression, The Samaritans operates a service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for people who want to talk in confidence. Call 08457 90 90 90.
Resources are available on Anxiety UK and support groups are also available at Mind and Rethink.
There is more information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment at NHS Choices and there’s also a useful podcast about anxiety and worry.
