A new study explores the link between work and mental health, particularly for individuals with social anxiety disorder. Researchers found that work, while presenting challenges, can offer structure, purpose, and social interaction, ultimately benefiting mental well-being. Conversely, avoiding work due to anxiety or depression can exacerbate symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.
Researchers analyzed the data of 250 adults between ages 18 and 60 who were diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. During a 52-week period, they tracked how many hours each participant worked and recorded their anxiety and depression symptoms to see if their mental state could predict hours worked.
"Work has a protective effect on our mental health," she says."Overall working is good for us from a mental health standpoint. It provides structure for our life, it gives us something to do, it allows us an opportunity to interact with other people, not to mention it allows us to have an income.
If they are depressed, harsh self-criticism can kick-in, as well. This can cause them to leave early, call in sick, and self-isolate even more. "The less we do and the more we avoid, the less likely we are to experience things that make us feel better," she says.
MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL ANXIETY DEPRESSION WORK PRODUCTIVITY
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