Designer Depression: Guest Post By AwareNI
30. Jul, 2010
Designer Depression and No, I’m not talking about choosing a fabulous depression, or that painful reality that I still can’t afford a Chanel handbag- I’m talking about the increase in numbers of you desiginery folks who have depression.
Unfortunately, self employed people tend to lead the kind of life where depression can be more likely. With very little face to face interaction with people outside of their family, a serious lack of office banter, no Christmas parties and a tendency to work longer and more unsociable hours than people in a regular 9-5 job, self employed people need to be aware of the importance of good mental health. The freelance blues may strike at any time, but with the economy not looking too healthy, more people are experiencing depression as a result.
Here in Northern Ireland we have a terrifyingly high prevalence of depression- it is estimated that one in four of us will experience depression at some stage. We also have doctors who issue more prescriptions for anti-depressants than the rest of the UK and we have a worryingly high rate of suicide, especially amongst young men. Another equally scary statistic is that depression is thought to be implicated in around 75% of suicides in Northern Ireland. Scary to think that people are dying from depression in such a brilliant country as Northern Ireland, innit?
There are lots of things that freelancers and designers can do to help prevent depression.
- Getting out and about, meeting clients, potential clients and friends for a coffee will help add some variety to an otherwise boring day.
- Eating properly. I.e. Not living off crisps, pot noodles, tea, toast or coffee, and actually eating at regular times is super important. It’s easy to skip meals, or eat at all sorts of crazy times during the day, but it’s not good for your tum.
- Get away from your computer and read a newspaper. None of this Guardian online malarkey. Get a real paper and get newsprint on your fingers. And curse when you spill your coffee over it. Do the crossword (or at least have a go).
- Don’t spend your free time on the computer. And make sure you take weekends off and have regular holidays. Even a few hours of radio silence and disconnection from the world can be enough to process your thoughts and allow you to go back to work full of vigour and inspiration!
If you are experiencing depression and need help, local charity Aware Defeat Depression hold support groups in venues across the country- these are free, informal meetings where members can discuss how they are feeling in a neutral and non-threatening environment with people who are experiencing similar feelings. Each support group is led by a volunteer who is a trained facilitator. The groups work by providing a support network and teaching you more about your illness and the treatments that are available. Support groups also help to develop self-help strategies and coping mechanisms to make depression easier to manage.
Aware Defeat Depression also operate a telephone helpline from Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm. Just call 08451 20 29 61 to talk to someone.
For more information on the support groups or any other work Aware Defeat Depression does, visit www.aware-ni.org.
Author
Crud, those four bullet points happen quite frequently in my average week. I'm not depressed though, yet!
Chris, to be fair it sums up a lot of designers working days, myself included, problem is its easy to slip into the depression cycle, I know quite a few designers who have slipped into similar patterns, hence why I invited AwareNI to write a piece...let others know there is someone to turn to.
Thanks for the great article. I think in these times, lack of work and money (and most likely debts as well) are the biggest reason for depression amongst the self-employed. It's a tough world out there, and we just don't have that security of a regular income. Also, even with supportive family and friends, you alone are responsible for your business/ work/ success, and sometimes that can be quite a heavy burden. I find the best thing to do is talk to your nearest and dearest about your feelings, and ask for help (the hardest thing to do, really). Don't always put up the 'I am so happy' face.
Also.. You should take regular short breaks from the computer screen, but *not* refill your mug with coffee every single time
Agree completely with you Puris, and Jordan, I don't *always* fill my mug with coffee each time...sometimes its tea
I'm glad that i found your blog, there are a couple of interesting posts