What are the consequences of continuing to work while suffering from moderate depression?
Nov 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Introduction
Continuing to work while suffering from moderate depression may lead to consequences such as reduced work efficiency, intensified mood fluctuations, increased social withdrawal, worsening physical symptoms, and accumulated occupational burnout. Reduced work efficiency: Difficulty concentrating and diminished decision-making ability can result in prolonged task completion times or increased error rates, which may negatively affect professional evaluations over time.
Moderate depression may lead to various consequences if one insists on working, including decreased work efficiency, intensified mood swings, increased social avoidance, worsening physical symptoms, and accumulated occupational burnout. The detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Decreased work efficiency: Difficulty concentrating and reduced decision-making ability can prolong task completion time or increase error rates, potentially affecting job performance evaluations over time.
2. Intensified mood swings: Stressors in the workplace—such as interpersonal conflicts or workload pressure—may trigger emotional breakdowns, manifesting as sudden crying, irritability, or persistent low mood, which can impair teamwork.
3. Increased social avoidance: Strong resistance toward interactions with colleagues or speaking during meetings may develop, leading to reduced non-essential communication. This behavior might be misinterpreted as being unsociable, further isolating the individual.
4. Worsening physical symptoms: Somatic symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and insomnia may occur more frequently, necessitating frequent sick leave for medical care, creating a vicious cycle of "physical discomfort → reduced productivity → increased stress."
5. Accumulated occupational burnout: Prolonged "pushing through" while unwell leads to diminished enthusiasm for work, feelings of helplessness about career development, and even thoughts of resignation—though financial pressures may prevent actual departure.
It is recommended to proactively communicate with supervisors to adjust work pace, such as requesting flexible working hours or reduction of non-core tasks. If symptoms continue to worsen, timely professional psychological intervention should be sought.
