People often think about sadness as the main symptom of depression. And while sadness can go hand-in-hand with mood disorders, depression is more complex and multifaceted. In some cases, people with depression don’t present with classic signs, making it harder to detect and treat.
That said, it’s estimated that about 5% of adults experience depression worldwide.1 Research shows it costs companies over $51 billion due to lost productivity and absenteeism, and it’s a leading treatment concern within employee assistance programs (EAPs).2 The good news is that depression is treatable, but employers need to be aware of the symptoms and recovery options. To intervene effectively, employers must be able to identify how depression can arise- even when it doesn’t look like sadness.
Understanding Depression: The Classic Signs at Work
Depression doesn’t have a specific look. Some employees may burst into tears during a meeting. Others will conceal how they feel and push forward without revealing any of their emotional distress. But at work, some of the more conventional symptoms might include:
- Frequently making mistakes
- Isolating from the team
- Missing important deadlines
- More absences or sicknesses
- Presenting as fatigued or overwhelmed
- Changes in personality
However, depression can also emerge in more insidious forms, making it easy to overlook. Some people perform extremely well when their mental health is plummeting. They might mask their emotions with humor or overwork to avoid their feelings. This is why understanding the other faces of depression matters.
Strong Silent Type
It’s a misconception that mental health issues are apparent to the outside world. You can’t necessarily “see” depression, and there’s a good chance someone you know is deeply depressed- even if you can’t detect a single symptom.
In terms of work, those who struggle in silence often act with a mindset of “business as usual.” They continue to show up to work consistently, perform well, and stay under the radar. However, they often feel fragmented- although they may still excel professionally, they don’t feel joyous, motivated, or hopeful. Instead, they generally go through the motions, just trying to get through the day.
This ‘face’ of depression can be the hardest to discern because changes can be incredibly subtle. Some of the more hidden symptoms might look like:
- Working more than usual to ‘escape’ their everyday life
- Slightly less participation in meetings or team projects
- Getting work done, but presenting as somewhat disinterested
- Doing the bare minimum and no longer offering to collaborate
Peak Performer
Although people often think that depression depletes energy, some people experience the opposite effect. Those who tend to hyperfunction under stress may lean more into work when struggling with their mental health. These employees engage in overworking to avoid their emotions- they “double down” professionally instead of slowing down to take care of themselves.
Compulsive work can become its own coping strategy. Some people rely on external validation to feel good about themselves, reinforcing the cycle of performing well at work to maintain a sense of internal worth. Supervisors often overlook this trait and will often praise the good work ethic instead of picking up on the struggle.
Signs that a ‘peak performer’ may actually be depressed include:
- Taking on excessive workloads frequently and without consulting others
- Achieving important milestones without seeming excited about them
- Sense of detachment despite high performance
- Neglecting self-care or having changes in physical appearance
Indecisive Overthinker
Research shows a high correlation between depression and anxiety disorders, with studies showing that approximately 18% of adults experience an anxiety condition.3 Anxiety symptoms may be more obvious than depression ones, but it’s important to consider that the two conditions may coexist.
In some cases, employees may present as overly panicked or insecure within their work. They may ruminate over small details and need excessive reassurance about their capabilities. Some will struggle to make independent decisions, leaning on others to help them with executive function.
Signs that an indecisive overthinker may be experiencing depression include:
- Frequent procrastination despite self-awareness or external consequences
- Presenting as chronically ‘frozen’ when it comes to making decisions
- Panicking over any perceived negative feedback (often due to low self-esteem)
- Avoiding tasks that require exhibiting a sense of responsibility
- Presenting as insecure or ashamed even if performing well
Consistent Complainer
Irritability is a common symptom of depression, although people often don’t recognize it. Men, in particular, may be more prone to showing their anger when depressed. This isn’t because they feel angrier- they just may be more socially conditioned to express this emotion than women.
Irritability can be challenging to manage in the workplace. This employee may frequently complain about different tasks or mask their frustration with passive-aggressive comments or sarcasm. They might seem completely disengaged from the work, even if they enjoyed it previously.
Signs that a consistent complainer may be experiencing depression include:
- Frequent complaints about workplace culture or professional expectations
- Resisting solutions for problem-solving or collaboration
- Frequent statements about helplessness (“I don’t have any say here” or “nothing we do really matters”)
- Lamenting about what’s going wrong and struggling to hold optimism
- Dark humor that doesn’t attune well to the company culture
Isolated Avoidant
Although it may be dismissed as shyness, some employees disconnect from the workplace when depressed. If they show up to a physical office, their door may be closed, and they might avoid interacting with colleagues. If they work remotely, they may show up to mandatory meetings (and sometimes turn the camera off) and engage only when required.
Signs that an isolated avoidant may be depressed include:
- Minimal contact with others that worsens over time
- Decreased collaboration and strong preferences to work alone
- Avoiding any friendly chatter unless it feels obligatory
- Responding to emails or phone calls more slowly than usual
- Frequent signs of emotional withdrawal from the workplace
People-Pleaser
People-pleasers often present as agreeable and friendly, and they can make for excellent employees. They tend to avoid “stirring the pot,” preferring to go along with the flow and keep others happy. However, people-pleasing can be a sign of depression that’s connected to low self-worth and poor self-esteem.
Some employees act passively when they feel like their own opinion is irrelevant or even inferior. Others might engage in people-pleasing tendencies when they’re struggling with their depression- it feels like too much energy to compete with people or “care” about their feelings.
Signs that a people-pleasing employee may be depressed include:
- Avoiding conflict as much as possible even if it means sacrificing their own needs
- Frequently blaming themselves for issues that are not theirs
- Constantly apologizing even when nothing is wrong
- Failing to set boundaries or failing to implement boundaries after establishing them
- Visible fears of disappointing others
Succeeds Under Pressure
Certain employees may cope with their depression by performing their best under high-stress situations. This can be confusing to understand- they may not necessarily succeed when things are “going well.” But when the stakes are high, they present as overly motivated and capable.
This often has to do with the sense of fragmentation that can coincide with depression. People recognize that they are struggling, but they also fear changing their status quo by getting into trouble, losing their job, or someone “finding out” about their struggles. So when they really need to shine, they can rise to the occasion.
Signs that someone who succeeds under pressure may be depressed include:
- Thriving under the most stressful situations (but not all situations)
- Asking to redo or edit projects that may have already been approved
- Presenting as defensive or resistant when given constructive feedback
- Frequently presenting as ‘hard’ on themselves when making mistakes
- Presenting as struggling with burnout (without acknowledging it)
Compassionate Helper
The ‘compassionate helper’ often rescues or takes care of others to avoid facing their own emotions. These people tend to volunteer frequently and offer support to the team readily. They pour their energy into being good people, although it often entails them neglecting their own needs or desires.
Compassionate helpers often fly under the radar. Bosses tend to praise their behavior- they are the ones baking cupcakes for someone else’s birthday or organizing a GoFundMe after a coworker’s loved one dies. They tend to be deeply appreciated, but their tendency to help has become a crutch to hide their own difficulties.
Signs that the compassionate helper may be depressed include:
- Disproportionally giving or supporting others
- Clearly prioritizing others without considering their own needs or boundaries
- Showing subtle signs of resentment for how much they give to others
- Difficulty talking about their own needs or feelings even when asked
- Presenting as emotionally fatigued
Struggling With Addiction
Addiction comes in many forms, but many addictive behaviors also coincide with depression. People use drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, or sex to cope with difficult emotions. Over time, this pattern becomes difficult to break, and the employee becomes more dependent on the substance to feel “normal” or to cope with the stressors of daily life.
In the workplace, it may be difficult to recognize addiction. Employees will do their best to hide their symptoms. Over time, however, certain ‘cracks’ may show, especially if the depression is untreated.
Signs that an employee struggling with addiction may also be experiencing depression include:
- Frequently missing up to work or showing up late with odd reasons
- Declining work performance or inconsistent work performance
- Increasing isolation from others
- Evidence of risky behavior that doesn’t have a logical explanation
- Unexplained changes in physical appearance
Final Thoughts
Depression transcends sadness, and supporting an employee with depression is far more complex than telling them to focus on the positive or think happy thoughts. It’s also important to consider that some people with depression may deny or suppress their symptoms even if asked.
In the workplace, depression can be concealed with either more or less productivity, and some employees will absolutely act like nothing is happening when they’re deeply struggling. This has to do with the shame that coincides with mental illness. It also coincides with the fear of getting into trouble if others find out about their difficulties.
With that, it’s important for employees to be mindful of depression and react to any concerns with authentic compassion. While you can’t stop or prevent someone from struggling with their mental health, you play a fundamental role in supporting emotional well-being in the workplace.
