Shift Work Options

[Kathryn]

Hi,

Has anyone had to deal withh the worsening of depression relating to shift work? I am terrified of my employers finding out but also recognize that I can no longer work the shifts, requiring me to provide a medical note disclosing this information.

Any helpful suggestions?

thanks
Kathryn

[MajorGuy]

I've done shift work for one year and I can say that I was always tired going to work or it seemed when I was there, that I had never left. My job was 12 hour days and 2 shifts. Night shift is harder I think cause I would get less sleep because I would get home early in the mornings. This is a good topic though. I will do some research to find the lasting damages to our mind and bodys.


Here's what I found out:
There is a Disorder that is called Shift Work Sleep Disorder. It seems the natural circardian rhythms cannot ajust to shift sheduleing. It's a common disorder in the night shift (10pm-6am).

Stats: 6 million employess in the US work Nights on a regular or rotating basis

One quater% are estimated to have SWSD.

Symptoms include:

* Difficulty Concentrating

* Headaches

* Lack of energy



Consequences of shift work sleep Disorder:

* Increased risk for accidents

* Increased work-related errors

* Increased sick time



This information is offered from a medication called: PROVIGAL`


Welcome to the forum. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

MajorGuy~

[sem]

It affects your circadian cycle and the ciological cycle. If you have the rotating shifts, the things can worsen from far down.

Try talking to your employer and try to fix the things up.

Sem

[Aks1]

The condition usually lasts as long as you keep a shift work schedule. Once you begin sleeping at a normal time again, the problems tend to go away. In some people, the sleep problems may continue even after the shift work schedule has ended. The length and severity of the problem varies from person to person. Some people are able to adjust better than others. There are also many different types of work schedules. Some people may only work an overnight shift to cover for a co-worker. Their sleep problem would be very brief. Others may work a regular night shift. Their problem would be ongoing. Many shift workers also work more hours each week than the average person. This can add fatigue to their sleep problems.

In addition to fatigue in the workplace, shift workers are at increased risk for a variety of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. Also, shift workers are at elevated risk for obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder found in approximately 5% of the general population, but 11.6% of the shift work population.

You may have to keep unusual work hours for a long period of time. In this case, you may want to visit a sleep specialist. He or she can provide you with methods to help your body adjust and to improve your sleep.

[Joost]

There are several steps a shift worker can take to successfully fall asleep and stay asleep. The key is to make sleep a priority!


Set the stage for sleep even though it might be broad day light outside. Prepare your body and mind for sleep. If you are on the night shift, wear wraparound dark glasses on your way home from work to keep morning sunlight from activating your internal "daytime" clock. Follow bedtime rituals and try to keep the same sleep schedule — even on weekends. Go to sleep as soon as possible after work.

At home, ask family and friends to help create a quiet and peaceful setting during your sleep time. Have family members wear headphones to listen to music or watch TV. Ban vacuuming, dish washing, and noisy games during your sleep time. Put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the front door so that delivery people and friends will not knock or ring the doorbell. Schedule household repairs for after your sleep time.

[d-gADMIN]

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL SHUTEYE

* Take a warm bath.

* Lower the room temperature (a cool environment improves sleep).

* If you exercise at the workplace, do so at least three hours before you plan on going to bed. Otherwise, exercise after you sleep. Because exercise is alerting and raises the body temperature, it should not be done too close to bedtime.

* Don't "activate" your brain by balancing a checkbook, reading a thriller, or doing other stressful activities.

* Darken the bedroom and bathroom.

* Install light blocking and sound absorbing curtains or shades.

* Wear eye shades.

* Wear ear plugs.

* Avoid caffeine at least five hours before bedtime.

* Use a white noise machine or a fan to block out noises.

* Install carpeting and drapes to absorb sound.

* Unplug the telephone.

Some interesting stories of sleeping disorder and insomnia.

Read more about sleeping disorders

[Joost]

The shift worker faces special problems in trying to maintain family relationships and social and community ties. It becomes difficult to balance work, sleep and personal time.

The need to sleep during the day (or, for the evening worker, to be on the job during the dinner hour and the family-oriented part of the day) means that the shift worker often misses out on family activities, entertainment and other social interaction.

That is why it is important to talk with family members and friends about your concerns. With their help, you can schedule special times to share with a spouse, children and friends.

Remember that sleep loss and feeling at odds with the rest of the world can make you irritable, stressed and depressed. As one expert puts it, "Blame the shift work — not your kids!"

[MajorGuy]

That hits the mark for me joost about when I was doing shift work and I was missing out on most of the family function due to rotating shifts. The balance of work, sleep and personal time was a complete failure for me. I would hate my job that much more even though the money was good it robbed me of self-needed pleasures in life. What, is this a single players game? I'm not sure but it did nothing for my personal life I know that. I can see where peoples stress would cause them to wear the attitude of "don't blame me, blame the job!" Do people like us who haves the skills to work a certain job that may bring us some pleasure but only come in night or rotating shift work?

Oh well, I stuck it out for awhile, made some good money, but made no progress in my life.

MajorGuy~

[Joost]

Major,

Although it seems tough for all the people working in shift to cope up with the family pressures, it do give you the benefit of working when everthing is silent. Just kidding.

Night shifts definitely takes the family element out. This severely effects the bonds we have with our loved family people. The best thing I suggest in this situation is to take a good break every weekend or on the holidays and go out with the family. This is the way we can express our love and make our people understand we are there for them and we are family.

What say people.

[MajorGuy]

Don't forget joost that alot of shift-work job occupations call for working holidays too. Yes, you an find time and planning it is the tricky part when your working the dreaded rotating shift.

But your right, make the best time of what ya got!

Thanks,

MajorGuy~

[bayoulee]

I have worked swing shifts for 8 years now. I may work an 8-4, then a 4-12, then a couple of mid-8am shifts, then another 4-12, etc, etc. There is no rhyme nor reason to the way our shifts may fall. I am sure this adds somewhat to my depression. I have found that Valerian root, a natural herb found at any pharmacy or health food store, is an excellent sleep aid. I take 3 an hour or so prior to bedtime. I also try to bike or landscape for a while after I get off work in the a.m. to 'wear myself down'. The Valerian has been used since Roman times. Good luck.