IT employees in throes of depression

Call it the curse of our times or a result of ‘development.’ The modern worker especially in the IT and ITES sectors is crumbling under work pressure. Five out of 10 patients that psychiatrists receive are IT employees. Dr Purnima of Dhrithi Psychiatric Care said that a number of IT employees approaching her are suffering from depression.

The number is rising with each passing month. She said, “Lack of social life, sleep and expectations are taking a toll on people. Also the lack of a support system is pushing them into depression. The importance of the joint family system is now being realised.” Dr Uma Shankar, Superintendent, Institute of Mental Health says, “The modern office goers are just unable to strike work life balance which is most important, hence the depression.

After doing the same thing day in and day out they lose a sense of purpose in life and this leads to a emptiness.”

Though there are no full-fledged psychiatric care wards in corporate hospitals, there are outpatient services. Dr Anil of a corporate hospital said, “Many employees just want to quit their jobs. We get at least four severe cases every week.”