tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27237113.post1830429098478251355..comments2024-02-10T00:21:03.699-08:00Comments on Embracing the Risk: Depression Rates and Career ChoicesMarkChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783588922999884233noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27237113.post-2268300669761836772008-02-11T12:52:00.000-08:002008-02-11T12:52:00.000-08:00PK said, "Is it possible that fields that require ...PK said, "Is it possible that fields that require high levels of logic and precision may lend themselves to attracting people who give emotions like depression a bit less credence or don't see their feelings as being as important?"<BR/><BR/>A reasonable hypothesis. It makes logical sense to me, no matter how I'm feeling today.<BR/><BR/>MBDouglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064119946449926285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27237113.post-40786844207929050022008-01-28T21:20:00.000-08:002008-01-28T21:20:00.000-08:00Extremely difficult, emotionally draining work wit...Extremely difficult, emotionally draining work with low pay and taxing hours that don't leave enough time for the rest and relaxation needed to maintain health and good moods would lead to higher rates of depression, I'd think.<BR/><BR/>I also wonder if engineer/technical-types are less likely to spend time thinking about how they feel and whether they're depressed or not, and if that could skew the survey results? Is it possible that fields that require high levels of logic and precision may lend themselves to attracting people who give emotions like depression a bit less credence or don't see their feelings as being as important? Just a thought.<BR/><BR/>I would have to wonder, in general, how many people answering this type of survey might have been depressed and either didn't know it or didn't want to admit it, or just didn't want to treat it with drugs?purple_kangaroohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02543172194041505144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27237113.post-83444255494346358932007-10-17T08:49:00.000-07:002007-10-17T08:49:00.000-07:00Thanks for the further comments. They have certai...Thanks for the further comments. They have certainly helped me think through this more.<BR/><BR/>MBDouglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064119946449926285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27237113.post-67953364706104702472007-10-15T15:56:00.000-07:002007-10-15T15:56:00.000-07:00Fascinating! I love the stuff you guys post here. ...Fascinating! I love the stuff you guys post here. :)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02363410058108479951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27237113.post-61630191164010149372007-10-15T11:57:00.000-07:002007-10-15T11:57:00.000-07:00Fox News was kind enough to link to the government...<A HREF="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301618,00.html" REL="nofollow">Fox News</A> was kind enough to link to the government's <A HREF="http://oas.samhsa.gov/" REL="nofollow">"Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration" website</A> where the report originated: <A HREF="http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/depression/occupation.cfm" REL="nofollow">The NSDUH Report: Depression Among Adults Employed Full-time by Occupational Category</A><BR/><BR/>As MB indicated, I think engineers work in a field where there are solutions, cause and effect with feedback, and the logic required can distance us from emotional investment.<BR/><BR/>Mark tackled the food service industry very well. I think the health care profession can also be quite draining, being around sick people all day, often with terrible hours and high stress (someone's health or life is in your hands). Feedback and successes probably seem fewer and measured by not seeing a patient anymore.<BR/><BR/>It looks like depressed workers are about twice as likely to be female, though I think that may be a reminder not to confuse correlation with causation, as I suspect women are more likely to be drawn to the health care industry.<BR/><BR/>I also wouldn't be surprised if drug use in general correlated with health care workers, and the depression data in general.<BR/><BR/>KevinKevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00244577723092436958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27237113.post-2563192687099079982007-10-15T10:45:00.000-07:002007-10-15T10:45:00.000-07:00MB,I can tell you that I would be depressed if I w...MB,<BR/><BR/>I can tell you that I would be depressed if I were in the food service industry, from all I've seen and heard about it!<BR/><BR/>The food-service industry has a particularly difficult combination of factors, it seems to me. They have low margins, so they have to be extremely efficient (meaning rushed and understaffed) to be profitable. They have an extremely low tolerance for error (a single unsanitary meal could almost put a company out of business). And they have to work directly with the public almost constantly (meaning they have to always appear happy and friendly).<BR/><BR/>Working under that type of pressure, but having to pretend that you are not under pressure, is a recipe for depression (forgive the pun).<BR/><BR/>In addition to that, there's the customer factor. Somehow, being at a restaurant turns many otherwise normal, considerate people into insolent jerks. I'm not sure why it is, but I've observed it over and over.<BR/><BR/>So, it doesn't surprise me that the foodservice industry is high on the list. And I'm glad that I don't work any where near it, myself. :)<BR/><BR/>MarkMarkChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14783588922999884233noreply@blogger.com