Robin Williams’ Death: A Reminder for HR to Watch for Employee Depression

                Robin Williams gave us the impression that he was a fun-loving, happy guy.  Now we know that when the crowds left and the cameras stopped rolling, he was suffering from depression.  He was not alone.  According to the CDC, 1 in 10 people in the U.S. suffers from depression.  For those of us who are managers and HR specialists, watching for signs of depression in our employees could realistically help save lives.

                 In the late 1990’s, I was clinically depressed.  I fell into a hole so deep that  I contemplated ending it all as well.  As a result, today I am (1) very aware of the signs of depression in my body and immediately work to get rid of them when they hit and (2) hypersensitive when others seem to be falling into the abyss.

                For me, my depression became worse about a year after the birth of my second child.  Perhaps a latent postpartum depression (the doctors couldn’t agree on that), it started at a time when I had what others would think was a great life:  nice job, nice family, and two great kids.  On the surface, what could make me depressed?  But that’s just it.  As I found out, the EXTERNAL environment isn’t always the culprit.  Depression is INTERNAL. 

                Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance that can really be blamed on our ancestry.  Imagine a cave man who is faced with a saber-toothed tiger.  His body gears up for either fight or flight.  In both cases, the adrenalin flows and helps build up blood and oxygen into his arms and legs to help him fight the tiger or run like hell.  Fast forward to today.  In some of us, when we feel that something is wrong, the adrenal gland starts pumping.  This is great when there is deadline at work and we have to get things done quickly.  But what about when we are just dealing with the stress of everyday life?  While some people are not seriously affected, others can’t turn off the adrenalin.  It keeps pumping.  A build-up can cause depression and many other physical symptoms.

                So what are the symptoms of depression?  Imagine that adrenalin pumping and pumping.  While it helps blood flow to your arms and legs, your internal organs, such as your lungs, don’t get the normal amount of oxygen that it usually gets.  That means that often depressed people get a higher rate of bronchial illnesses.  The one issue that most affected me was the inability to sleep, yet I was tired all the time.  I found out that the adrenalin was pumping all day, wearing out my body.  I would go to bed and conk out immediately because of physical exhaustion.  Once my body rested for an hour or two, the adrenalin would take over, wake up my mind, and I would spend the rest of the night looking at the ceiling.  Other symptoms can include stomach issues (constipation or diarrhea), high blood pressure, inexplicable anger and outbursts, or withdrawing from others.

                Do you have some employees who call in sick more than others?  Who seem to catch “the crud” every time it is in the area and even sometimes when it is not?  Does “the crud” seem to coincide with job deadlines or unusually stressful events at work?  Do you have an employee who seems tired all the time?  Or one who has withdrawn from other employees?  All of these may be signs of clinical depression.

                So what do you do if you suspect an employee is clinically depressed?  Talk to the employee.  Ask them how they are doing.  Focus on what you’ve seen - - “you seem to be a little withdrawn - - is everything ok?”  “you seem tired all the time - - are you alright?”  You may not get much information, or you MAY get some discussion.  I am always in favor of the honest, if not blunt, approach.  “John, have you ever thought that there may be a physical reason for the way you are feeling?  I had a friend that had similar symptoms [that would be me!] and she was diagnosed with a chemical imbalance.  Maybe you should see a doctor.”

                So how do people deal with depression?  What we need to do is stop that adrenalin.   Here are some ways:

(1)  Talk it out - - sometimes discussing a problem or problems helps lessen the severity.  You are sharing the weight of the world with others, and it is more manageable.  This can be just talking to a friend or talking to a professional (medical doctor or psychologist).

(2) Run it out – put the adrenalin to good use - - exercise to get it out of your system.  Running, walking, whatever you prefer, may help your body get back on track.

(3) Meditate – If you haven’t done this before, I suggest you start by working with someone who can help you get started.  Find a quiet place and a comfortable position.  For me, I work from my toes to my head trying to relax each body part.  Concentrate in your internal self, on relaxing.  Try to keep out the thoughts of the outside world.  I had so much trouble with this initially and kept hearing the chattering of my mind (referred by some as “the monkey mind”).  Eventually, though, the quiet peacefulness comes with practice.

(4) Medication – For some of us, the above methods aren’t successful by themselves and an anti-depressant should be prescribed.  Such a determination should be made by a trained physician.  Being on an anti-depressant shouldn’t be seen as a failure.  Remember, this is a drug that deals with a chemical imbalance.  Would you be a failure if you had to take high blood pressure medicine or insulin?  Use the same thought process.  The medication is there to help your body work better.

For me, I have used all of the above methods.  I was on medication for about 18 months and, with the assistance of a physician, weaned myself off.  Some people remain on medication, with 14% of them using them for 10 years or more.   When I feel “that feeling” of the stress, panic, adrenalin, or depression hit, I take a step back and try to figure out what triggered the feeling.  I can’t always do that, but I make sure I go back to the habit of talk it out - - run it out - - meditate and this helps me get back on track.

                I don’t pretend to know what went on in Robin Williams’ life or how his depression caused him to take the final, fatal act.  All I can tell you is that statistics show that one in ten of everyone you encounter also has this disease.  For those of us who manage employees, we can help by promoting awareness and letting people know – there is hope.