The aim of this section is to familiarize you with the mental health problems most often found in the workplace. The definition and main symptoms presented below are intended solely for intraining purposes since doctors are the only professionals authorized to make a diagnosis.

We all experience events that can cause sadness, discouragement or pessimism. These phases, though unpleasant, last a relatively short time. “Normal” depression usually occurs after a stressful event such as bereavement, pregnancy, hormonal changes, etc.

Only a clinician can judge the point at which normal mood swings may actually turn into a mood disorder. Even with established criteria, there is nevertheless a grey zone in which it is hard to distinguish between normal mood swings and serious mood disorders.

There are two types of mood disorders: unipolar and bipolar. A unipolar disorder is characterized by depressive symptoms (sadness, loss of interest or pleasure). The symptoms of a bipolar disorder are both depressive and manic (feelings of excitement and euphoria). 

Unipolar disorders

The main unipolar disorders are major depressive disorder, whereby the individual has depressive symptoms most of the time for a period of at least two weeks, and dysthymic disorder, whereby the individual is depressed one out of two days for at least two years.

Bipolar disorders

The main bipolar disorders are bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, and cyclothymic disorder. A person suffering from bipolar disorders I and II has episodes of depression (periods of at least two weeks during which the person has depressive symptoms) with at least one manic episode (period of at least one week of abnormal, persistent mood elevation). However, in bipolar disorder II, the symptoms of mania are milder (mood swings do not affect social or work life as dramatically and hospitalization is not required). A person suffering from cyclothymic disorder experiences many periods of depressive or manic symptoms (feelings of excitement and euphoria) for at least 2 years, but these symptoms are less severe than those in bipolar disorders I and II.

Anxiety is a complex phenomenon. A distinction should be made between fear, normal anxiety and anxiety that is considered pathological. Unlike fear, which is a response to a threat or danger that really exists, anxiety is an unpleasant inner state that appears when a danger is anticipated, but often without the individual being able to clearly specify the object of that fear. Like stress, anxiety can be beneficial when it helps the person to adapt and find solutions. When anxiety increases to the point where it prevents people from functioning at work, in their family or social life, it may be considered pathological.  

Panic disorder

The victims of a panic attack will suddenly experience fear or intense malaise. Panic attacks begin suddenly and generally reach their height within 10 minutes or less. When panic attacks are repeated and occur suddenly, a person is said to suffer from a panic disorder. However, the diagnosis of panic disorder implies that the attacks occur spontaneously and unexpectedly and are not due to a phobia (e.g., regarding an object or a situation) or a state of post-traumatic stress (e.g., when a person is confronted with extreme stress factors).

Generalized anxiety disorder

Individuals are suffering from generalized anxiety when, for most of the time over a period of 6 months, they are anxious and excessively worried when confronted with events or activities that are usually part of everyday life. They generally find it difficult to control their worries. Over a period of six months, these individuals will experience at least three of the following symptoms:

Burn-out results when individuals have an unhealthy relationship with their work. They put more and more energy into their work to the detriment of their personal life, while deriving less and less satisfaction from it. This state manifests itself through emotional or physical exhaustion, reduced productivity at work and a feeling of depersonalization (i.e., a feeling of insensitivity or impersonal responses to clients).

Burn-out is not acknowledged as a mental disorder; instead, it is seen as an adjustment disorder. A person suffering from an adjustment disorder has inappropriate reactions following a stressful event (marriage, divorce, job loss, etc.) that upset their functioning at work and socially and that persist for more than three months after the event .

Survivor syndrome is not listed as a mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . However, some authors maintain that this syndrome affects the mental health of employees and can lead to problems such as depression and burn-out.

Following a work reorganization, the employees who have not been laid off can often be more distressed, depressed, tired and demotivated. They can also be mistrustful and angry with their organization. Several studies have shown that when employees perceive the abolition of positions to have been carried out fairly and equitably for all employees, the survivors’ reaction is less negative. Moreover, when they perceive that they have been treated equitably by their organization, the survivors generally feel more committed to their organization, put more effort into their work and are less likely to want to leave their job following lay offs .