Depression In Leadership Is Not Uncommon

Depression In Leadership Is Not Uncommon

Addressing the media a while back, MP for Bundaberg QLD, Leanne Donaldson apologised for her financial discrepancies blaming the overwhelming side of Depression saying of her experience with depression that at the time she wanted everything to just go away.  As a person who has Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), I have experienced depression first-hand.  Depression can make everything become overwhelming as you cannot physically or mentally cope as it is a debilitating condition to live with.

The MP told NewsMail that separation from her former husband in 2009 affected the way she perceived herself at the time.  Also saying that depression affected her ability to get out of bed and even took away her desire to eat food. Her kids were bringing her dinner. Donaldson pointed out that mental illness is not a personal weakness but rather caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and that there’s no shame to be had by those who experience it.

Breaking the stigma of mental illness means talking about it openly.  Donaldson was recorded as saying that she now talks about it with her kids. Leanne also sees her GP regularly to check that she’s ok and stipulated that medication alone isn’t the remedy and that getting professional help is important.

Depression In A Nutshell

It’s not uncommon for those who have depression to find activities they normally would enjoy or jobs that they would tackle on an everyday basis overwhelming and extremely difficult, if not, impossible to carry out.  The brain doesn’t function the way it should because brain chemicals are out of balance.  Depression is an emotionally dark and gloomy place for those who experience it that feels like intense sadness.  It can be very debilitating for those who have it.

Clinical depression takes a person’s joy away making them feel an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair. They may lose sleep, interest and motivation which can be accompanied by a sense of worthlessness where they may no longer enjoy normal activities as they’re not able to function in normal everyday life.  They may experience physical aches and pains which may also include impaired thinking and concentration, plus a whole a range of other physical and psychological symptoms that can affect their moods and because it is a medical condition and an illness, depression is treatable as people generally respond well to treatment.

Depression Disorders listed In the Litchfield Counselling and Family Therapy Volume 7 (4tth Ed.) page 14

Depressive Disorders

• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (Recurrent Temper Outbursts)
• Major Depressive Disorder (Characterised By Depressed Mood, Disturbances In Eating And Sleeping, Decreased Energy, And Feelings Of Hopelessness And Low Self-Esteem)
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Formerly Dysthymia) (Similar, But Milder, Symptoms As Major Depressive Disorder But Of Longer Duration For At Least Two Years).
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – Affecting Women With Depression Due To Hormonal Imbalance During The Luteal Phase.
• Substance/Medication-Related Depressive Disorder
• Depressive Disorder Due To Another Medical Condition.

Hiding Depression Due To Stigma 

There may be people in leadership roles where you work who manage their clinical depression quite well and whose depression has gone undetected for many years, as it is not an uncommon disorder.

Due to the stigma around mental health, many opt to keep what others perceive as a ‘weakness’ to themselves.  Posts have come out in the Financial review from business elder Bentley-Johnston whose controversial advice gives reasons for not hiring a CEO who has depression fuels the stigma around depression and mental health in leadership even further. Despite many disagreeing with Johnston’s views, the post gives more reasons for leaders to keep their depression to themselves.

Speaking of his own fear of admitting to having depression Johnston stated, “Only now that I am retired am I ‘confessing’ to depression. I firmly believe earlier disclosure could have adversely affected business relationships and even some personal ones.”

Get Help if you suspect that you may have depression. See your family doctor and also see mental health worker who can get to the core reason for your depression and offer treatments accordingly.

Sandra Ciminelli
Cred.Dip.Couns. (Christian)

Sources

• Eliza Goetze – News Mail – I just wanted everything to go away’: MP explains bills
• Jill Margo – Financial Review – Depressed CEOs hold the fort, but do they make good business leaders?

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