“Job loss” covers a lot of ground. For some, it could involve a traumatic firing. Other folks quit, get slowly downsized, or they opt to retire. In today’s gig economy, it’s not rare to have a freelance position run its course. Regardless of the scenario, job loss involves change, and with change often comes stress.
After all, job loss typically means more than lost income. Our jobs contribute mightily to our social life and daily structure. Also, depending on the position, what you do for work can become an identity of sorts. Any of this can result in feelings of grief that can develop into depression.
What to Watch For After Job Loss
It’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions when a big job-related change occurs. But if your overwhelming emotion is sadness that lasts almost all day for at least two weeks, depression could be emerging. Here are some common red flags to watch for:
Sleeping much more than usual
Changes in appetite in either direction
Losing interest in activities that once brought you pleasure
Strong feelings of guilt, shame, low self-esteem, and self-blame
Feeling isolated and hopeless
Feeling lost without the structure and identity of a job
Putting no effort into making changes to remedy the situation (including looking for a new job)
Neglecting personal hygiene
Having thoughts of self-harm
To repeat, if a couple of weeks have passed and signs like this remain present or are getting stronger, it’s advised that you ask for help. In the meantime, you can engage in self-help steps that have been found to scale back the severity of symptoms.
4 Ways to Navigate Depression After Job Loss
None of the suggestions below are meant to replace the input of a medical professional, but again, they can have a positive complementary impact.
1. Emphasize Self-Care
In a depressive state, it can be challenging to stay focused on taking care of yourself. So, keep it simple but keep it consistent. You’ll want to focus on basics like healthy eating/drinking choices, getting into a steady sleep rhythm, taking part in daily physical activity, and practicing relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises.
2. Feel What You Need to Feel
Grief does not subside by suppressing it. Accept the feeling of loss and let your emotions happen. Think of it as giving yourself permission to mourn what is gone. If you find this to be difficult, you can seek out a support group both online and in person.
3. Use This As An Opportunity to Explore and Reinvent
In a profit-driven society, our job can be a form of social credit. When a job loss occurs, you can initially feel disoriented. But it’s a golden opportunity to explore what is meaningful to you and how to harness that drive. We are so much more than our primary source of income.
Some suggestions:
Consult That Bucket List: What have you always wanted to try? This is an excellent time to explore new paths.
Get Creative: Creativity facilitates expression — and healing.
Do Unto Others: Depression can make anyone feel aimless and stuck in a prison of their own minds. When stuck inward, go outward. Giving time and energy to others can be an important antidote to the isolation and hopelessness of depression, and, for some, can even lead to new career paths.
4. Don’t Underestimate Depression
This is crucial. Everyone gets sad at times or experiences the blues after a tough break. Depression is a diagnosable mental health disorder. Recovering from depression requires more than self-help. Don’t downplay what you feel after a job loss if what you feel is not going away.
If job loss has you struggling and feeling overwhelmed, we should talk. Let’s schedule a free and confidential consultation at your earliest convenience.
Learn more about Depression Treatment.