Depression

The World Health Organization (n.d.) defined depression as a mental disorder characterized by persistent sadness and lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities.

How do you feel when you are depressed?⁸

• It’s difficult for you to feel, think and handle daily activities
• You are irritated, pessimistic, tired and unable to concentrate
• You feel guilty, worthless, restless
• You find it difficult to concentrate, remember things and make decisions
• You tend to oversleep, or have difficulties sleeping
• You have suicidal thoughts

Depression may have long-term or recurrent effects on someone’s life and is considered the leading cause of disability around the world_7,8

Depression sometimes overlaps with burnout^4,5 and its prevalence may be increased by work-related stress⁵

• Almost 10% of small animal veterinary practitioners in Australia experience severe feelings of depression⁶
• Australian veterinarians have higher levels of depression compared to normative data⁴
• In the UK, veterinary surgeons experience high levels of depression and have lower levels of positive mental well-being compared to the general population¹

The demography of depression

• Younger and more recent graduate veterinarians seem to report more work-related depression compared to more senior veterinarians²
• Veterinarians who have worked longer were less likely to be depressed²
• Both small animal and mixed-practice practitioners are more prone to depression compared to other veterinary specializations^2,3,4
• Working hours had no significant influence on psychological scores, but increased working hours may have a small effect on anxiety and depression²

Hopefully we can create better awareness to this important problem faced by veterinary professionals. We need to act to improve working conditions and create a better working environment. Let’s fight today for a better tomorrow.

Sources:

1. Bartram, D.J., Yadegarfar, G., & Baldwin, D.S. (2009). A cross-sectional study of mental health and well-being and their association in the UK veterinary profession. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 44(12),1075-1085. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0030-8
2. Fritschi, L., Morrison, D., Shirangi, A., & Day, L. (2009). Psychological well-being of Australian veterinarians. Australian Veterinary Journal, 87(3), 76-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2009.00391.x
3. Gardner, D.H. & Hini, D. (2006). Work-related stress in the veterinary profession in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 54(3), 119-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2006.36623
4. Hatch, P.H., Winefield, H.R., Christie, B.A., & Lievaart, J.J. (2011). Workplace stress, mental health, and burnout of veterinarians in Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal, 89(11), 460-468. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00833.x
5. Hayes, G.M., LaLonde-Paul, D.F., Perret, J.L., Steele, A., McConkey, M., Lane, W.D., Kopp, R.J., Stone, H.K., Miller, M., & Jones-Britton, A. (2019). Investigation of burnout syndrome and job-related risk factors in veterinary technicians in specialty teaching hospitals: A multicentre cross-sectional study. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 30(1), 18-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/vec.12916
6. Meehan M.P. & Bradley L. (2007). Identifying and evaluating job stress within the Australian small animal veterinary profession. Aust Vet Practit, 37 (2), 70-83. https://doi.org/
7. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (n.d.). Stress at Work. Publication No. 99-101. Retrieved April 26, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/pdfs/99-101.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB99101
8. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Depression. Retrieved on April 27, 2020, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/depression#tab=tab_1