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Topic: Depression and Copy Editing
| Author | Message |
| ClaraLee* | Posted – 8/23/2006 9:49:21 PM | show profile Have any copy editors out there ever had to deal with a major depression while working at a job that takes such serious concentration? How have you managed? Recently, a serious depression has been negatively affecting my work, and I am concerned that I will burn some professional bridges--but attention to minute detail is very difficult in this situation. Suggestions (other than drugs, please)? |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 8/23/2006 10:06:22 PM | show profile you should consider changing careers. Copyediting is too difficult and thankless--pays little and for some strange reason doesn't get much respect. Also, if you have health insurance you should see a doctor, because depression is serious and you shouldn't get advice about it from non-professionals. |
| mailbag | Posted – 8/24/2006 7:32:51 AM | show profile | email poster In the mental health community one of the first questions asked by therapists is how does one's addictions or habits or emotional well being affect your daily life..... So, since you've answered that already, I can sympathize with not wanting drugs to alter your natural state even in the face of depression. There are other methods though and it sounds to me that some professional advice would be in order. Can you locate a couple of homeopathic practicing therapists in your town? Certainly don't be ashamed Clara... trust me, you are not alone. Good luck to you. |
| mkelly | Posted – 8/24/2006 9:04:06 AM | show profile Much to my amazement, I agree with Bleak Spouse that you should seek medical help from a doctor. |
| ZeldaMedia | Posted – 8/24/2006 9:59:52 AM | show profile More specifically ClaraLee, I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering. I would first consult with a psychologist (sometimes asking friends if they have or know of a really good therapist) to get a diagnosis and then go from there. Does your company have a 3rd party employee assistance plan? If so, they might be able to help you find an appropriate professional to talk to. Depression is much more common than you think. You would be surprised at how many people suffer from this disease. Also, what kind of insurance do you have? That will determine how many visits you are covered for. I wish you luck and will hold a good thought for you. Remember, you are not alone. Good luck and keep us posted. |
| ladyflash | Posted – 8/24/2006 10:43:50 AM | show profile | email poster Hi ClaraLee, I have been in the same boat. While not a commercial copy editor, I am the in-house writer, editor, website designer and press person at a large nonprofit. Last fall, I experienced what was the most major depression I've ever had. I couldn't concentrate on anything (I can completely relate about your comment about attention to detail), and gradually, my work deteriorated. I could barely sit at my desk without crying, and the general feeling of worthlessness plus the lack of energy I was experiencing was debilitating. I eventually got in a bad way with my boss (although I felt I couldn't tell her what was going on), and finally went to talk with a psychiatrist, who gave me a prescription (which was at the time, something I did not want to do) that has (in my opinion) helped me retain my job and some semblance of a life. I understand your hesitancy with taking drugs, but I also think you need some help getting through this time, whether it's talking to someone or taking something short-term. It's one of the hardest things I've had to deal with, but you can make it better. If you ever want to talk or want to ask me questions, feel free to email me. Good luck. |
| steady1 | Posted – 8/24/2006 1:31:35 PM | show profile ClaraLee, you've posted before about the stress and pressures you face in your job as a copy editor. I can't tell if you merely need to change jobs or if you need a new career focus. Copy editing isn't for everyone. Even for people who are generally happy with it, like me, there are hard days. Letting a misspelling go through or a usage goof can put me in a bad mood for the whole day and beyond. I agree with other posters to seek medical help. You may need medication, at least for a while. For the long term I would recommend some talk therapy so that you can delve into your feelings about your work. Obviously, you are the only one who can tell what's going wrong in your life and your career. Best of luck! |
| slink | Posted – 8/24/2006 2:01:30 PM | show profile The help you need is beyond the scope of this forum. Contact your health-care provider. |
| MedScribe | Posted – 8/24/2006 2:53:02 PM | show profile ClaraLee, I'm so sorry you're depressed. Pls. see your physician and get a good referral for a cognitive therapist (either a psychologist with a Ph.D. or a psychiatrist, an M.D. -- not someone who simply calls themself a "therapist"). Cognitive therapy can be undertaken alone or with meds. Most patients find it more effective than meds. It has been tested in more than 300 clinical trials and it demonstrates high efficacy (more so than the SSRIs according to one recent trial). Cognitive therapy is typically structured, undertaken over short periods and focuses on the here and now -- none of this "tell me about your narcissistic mother" stuff -- and because of its scientifically proven effectiveness insurers are more likely to cover it than traditional (psychodynamic) therapy. I know that it's difficult to focus when you're seriously depressed. Take time off if you need it, but personally I think it would be a mistake to quit your job or make any career changes at this point. Good luck to you and hang in there. |
| jjones | Posted – 8/24/2006 4:36:40 PM | show profile I agree that you should get professional help. But in the meantime, and in conjunction with that, you can try meditation. This will help with both the depression and the concentration (though maybe not right away). I'd suggest tapes if you can't find a class: Jon Kabat Zinn Mindfulness Meditation, though this is 45 minutes, which is a lot to start with or Insight Meditation tapes, which includes some 20-minute meditations. Yoga can help, too, similarly, but that may be more challenging to start with. Also, exercise--walking is helpful. |
| RockinRonD | Posted – 8/24/2006 5:03:28 PM | show profile | email poster Things will be alright... ...if you follow the good advice on this forum and seek professional help. Your depression is probably the result of a minor chemical imbalance and there are wonderful medications out there to help restore that balance so that you can lead a healthier and happier life and perform your job to the best of your ability. Be not afraid...the publishing industry is rife with folks in similar situations. The intelligent ones get proactive and get the ehlp they need rather than suffering in denial. You will be fine...just get thee to a therapist who can prescribe proper medication. |
| Newsy | Posted – 8/24/2006 9:00:26 PM | show profile ClareLee, I too am sorry you're depressed. I worked as a copy editor, and it can get you down when your work is so behind-the-scenes. But remember how important your work is...we make the reporters and editors look good. And like everyone else said, seeking professional help is a good idea. |
| catfish | Posted – 8/24/2006 9:07:11 PM | show profile | email poster Who can afford professional help? If she can afford it, and wants it, she'll seek it. Look depression is really common, and while everyone and their mother these days takes antidepressents, medication can sometimes affect your ability to concentrate too, so either way you're screwed. I suggest being sure to connect with people after work. It is really tempting to blow off social life activities when you are behind at work, and instead use extra time to catch up, but it becomes a self-perpetuating cycle. So, before things get too bad, get out of town for a weekend, and don't feel guilty for taking a sick day and seeing a good movie. It's important to "shake up" your routine. |
| catfish | Posted – 8/24/2006 9:15:12 PM | show profile Depression and sticky thoughts Oftentimes people think depression is just sad thoughts, but another angle is sticky thoughts - it's hard to stop going over and over a fight you had with a boyfriend, your mother, or boss. It's hard to stop interpreting what your boss said to you and obsessing over things. That's why antidepressents are helpful to OCD patients and bulimics. A non-drug solution to this, as I mentioned above, is to connect with people. So even if you don't feel like having sex with your partner doctors advise you to keep doing so. Another thing to try, if you're open to it, is finding a Depression Anonymous meeting at your local AA chapter. Those meetings also have a way of getting creative juices flowing again, if you feel they're all clogged up. Good luck - let us know how it goes. |
| ClaraLee* | Posted – 8/25/2006 3:57:32 PM | show profile Thanks for all of your advice. I actually am in therapy already. My question is more a matter of learning to concentrate on such detail-oriented work while your head is in such a bad place. Makes bike messenger work look appealing sometimes!! |
| MedScribe | Posted – 8/25/2006 6:22:56 PM | show profile I think you're overlooking the bigger picture. Once you find a treatment that works for you -- the right p-doc, or the right med -- you will be able to focus on your work again. |
| Suet | Posted – 8/26/2006 2:19:29 PM | show profile I would steer clear of ANY advice from a complete stranger trying to diagnose another complete stranger by email based on a few sentences you have written. For someone to say that you "probably have a little chemical imbalance" is irresponsible because you might be vulnerable and think that that person has a clue as to what they are talking about. How presumptous of anyone to try to offer anything in response to your question other than advice on how to keep up with the job. Who are you people, Bill Frist? Terry Schiavo's parents? |
| amyward | Posted – 8/26/2006 8:48:55 PM | show profile See a naturopath Ooh, yeah, copy editing is probably one of the trickier jobs to have to be in with depression. I had a major depression when I was in school and I can only imagine it would be much worse in a job that depends on your attention to detail and concentration. I can appreciation your quest for suggestions other than drugs. I tried quite a few drugs myself, tried cognitive therapy, and neither of them made much difference for me. I definitely recommend finding a therapist, but they tend to be quite variable and it really is an issue of fit. If you're already an introspective person, you'll need more than just someone who can show you how to reflect on your feelings and behaviors. I moved around a lot, tried some research studies, and ended up visiting at least 10 different counsellors and psychiatrists. I'd say of those ten, maybe three were worth my time, and only one was actually helpful. I hate to go all Tom Cruise on you here, but I can honestly say that the only thing that has had a significant impact for me has been going to see a naturopath. These vary much like psychologists, but I felt like this was the only person I met with who could approach my illness holistically. The naturopath I see meets weekly for an hour, and a lot of it is talking through your habits and relationships - much like a counselor. But he isn't about to prescribe me drugs or pretend that just talking will cure me of my ills. A lot of it is behavior-modification, like some forms of psychology. But if you know that you don't always eat the way you should or think a little exercise and better nutrition could possibly benefit you, then a naturopath could be really helpful. I feel like he is a combination between a therapist - who you can talk to on a regular basis and who can set goals for you and keep you to them, as well as a doctor - someone who understands your physical state and can focus on alleviating your symptoms of depression but without pretending that Paxil or Prozac or Effexor will cure you. So that's my plug for naturopaths. Depending on what kind of health coverage you may have, seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist may be a more realistic option since natural remedies usually aren't covered, but if you're going to have to pay on your own anyway, a naturopath is quite often a more economical alternative to seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. I feel like mine is my own personal cheerleader who can actually give me effective strategies to change my lifestyle and make sure I stick with it, and it's easily the most effective thing I've done so far to change my mood. |
