Posted by Yardena on August 23, 1999, at 22:05:05
In reply to Re: Depression and Work, posted by Ruth on August 23, 1999, at 21:43:36
Ruth,
I am a social worker, too. I found that when I was working with other mental health professionals there were some that had what I would consider healthy attitudes about it and some that didn't. In fact there were some who were quite prejudiced against people struggling with depression and other disorders, even though they would not admit it, nor be able to recognize this prejudice in themselves. I think for these people, there was a need to set up an "us and them" barrier, as though the world is comprised of two kinds of people--patients and clinicians. I think this is because they use this imaginary barrier to help themselves feel more protected when they work with patients, because it is stressful work sometimes, and the kinds of distress that patients talk about can be difficult to hear. On the other hand, there are also plenty of people in the field who are more more humanistic and see people as people. These clinicians are able to see the patients that come to see them as people struggling with problems, rather than seeing them as diagnoses. I believe that these are the clinicans who are secure enough not to need to erect artificial "us and them" barriers. Still, I sensed that it was not safe to disclose my depression to any but my closest coworkers, because there were those other clinicians who were very judgmental.
I am glad you mentioned that you are a social worker, because I was kind of hesitant to do so, myself.
poster:Yardena
thread:10514
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/10599.html