You might feel stressed, anxious, emotionally drained, or just not yourself, and you’re not alone.
The workplace can be a source of pressure, long hours, unrealistic expectations, or even conflict. Over time, these challenges may take a serious toll on your emotional and mental well-being.
This article looks at some of the most common mental health disorders people experience in the workplace.
We’ll explain what they are, how they might show up in daily work life, and why it’s important to recognize the signs early.
Whether you’re a team leader, an employee, or someone trying to support a coworker, understanding these issues can help create a healthier, more supportive work environment for everyone.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety goes beyond occasional stress or worry. For some employees, anxiety can become constant, overwhelming, and disrupt their ability to perform tasks, relate with colleagues, or meet deadlines.
Workplace anxiety may show up as racing thoughts, a sense of dread before meetings, trouble concentrating, or even physical symptoms like headaches, stomach pain, or fatigue.
In some cases, employees begin to avoid certain tasks or settings altogether. The following types of anxiety disorders that may affect people at work:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Ongoing, excessive worry and concern about work performance, job security, or interactions.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of being judged, looked down upon, or embarrassed in meetings, presentations, or even casual conversations.
- Panic Disorder: Sudden, unwanted, intense episodes of fear or panic, sometimes mistaken for a heart attack.
- Specific Phobias: Intense fear triggered by a particular situation or task, like speaking in front of others.
Employers can support anxious employees by creating a calm, respectful environment and offering access to counseling services or flexible arrangements.
Depressive Disorders
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. In the workplace, it might show up as:
- Withdrawal
- Lack of motivation
- Frequent mistakes
- Irritability.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) shows up as having a persistent, low mood lasting weeks or months, often accompanied by feelings of worthlessness, powerlessness, or hopelessness.
Some employees may also struggle with sleep issues, changes in appetite, or difficulty concentrating—all of which can affect productivity and teamwork.
In some cases, a person may have what’s called persistent depressive disorder, which involves less severe symptoms that last much longer, sometimes for years.
These individuals may still show up to work but function well below their capacity. Depressive disorders can be triggered or worsened by:
- Long hours
- Toxic work culture
- Lack of recognition
- Job insecurity
Creating a workplace culture where it’s safe to talk about mental health, training managers to notice signs, and providing access to mental health professionals can make a huge difference in supporting employees with depression.
Burnout (Occupational Stress Syndrome)
Burnout is not just being tired or fed up with work. It’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, especially in demanding or unbalanced work environments.
Someone experiencing burnout may feel hopeless, disconnected, and unable to cope with the demands of their job.
Unlike typical stress, burnout doesn’t go away with a weekend break or short holiday; it builds over time and may lead to serious health problems. Key aspects of burnout in the workplace include:
- Emotional exhaustion: Constant fatigue, even after rest, and feeling emotionally drained.
- Cynicism or detachment: Developing a negative or detached attitude toward work or coworkers.
- Reduced performance: Struggling to focus, make decisions, or complete tasks that once felt easy.
- Loss of motivation: A sharp drop in enthusiasm or sense of purpose in one’s role.
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, sleep issues, or a weakened immune system.
Addressing it requires more than telling someone to “take care”—it involves rethinking workloads, encouraging time off, and creating a culture of psychological safety and support.
Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
Substance use in the workplace is often hidden but can seriously affect health, safety, and productivity.
Some people turn to substances like alcohol or drugs to manage stress, numb anxiety, or escape overwhelming responsibilities. This can gradually lead to dependency and addiction.
The following table shows the common substances and how they affect both the person and their work:
| Substance | How It Affects the Person | Impact on Work |
| Alcohol | Lowers self-control, impairs judgment | Poor decision-making, absenteeism, safety risks |
| Prescription pills | May cause drowsiness or dependency | Reduced alertness, risk of overdose |
| Cannabis (marijuana) | Impairs memory, slows thinking | Difficulty focusing, lowered productivity |
| Cocaine | Brief energy boost followed by a crash | Mood swings, erratic behavior, conflict with staff |
| Nicotine | Used as a stress reliever, can become addictive | Frequent breaks, withdrawal symptoms, distraction |
That’s why it’s important for workplaces to avoid judgment and instead offer support, resources, and confidential referral to treatment programs when needed.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD doesn’t just affect military personnel or first responders.
It can impact anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, even in the workplace. This includes severe bullying, harassment, accidents, violence, or repeated emotional abuse.
An employee with PTSD may have flashbacks, nightmares, or intense emotional reactions when reminded of the trauma. They may become hypervigilant, easily startled, or avoid people or situations that remind them of what happened.
At work, this can show up as irritability, absenteeism, loss of focus, or emotional detachment. PTSD doesn’t always appear right after the traumatic event; it can surface weeks, months, or even years later.
Because it’s often invisible, coworkers may mistake the symptoms for moodiness or laziness, further isolating the person suffering. Creating a trauma-informed workplace involves:
- Respecting boundaries and triggers
- Offering access to professional therapy
- Encouraging peer support without forcing disclosure
- Training leaders to respond with empathy, not punishment
How MEHWK Can Help
At Mental Health Wellness Kenya, we support both individuals and organizations through confidential counseling and workplace mental health training.
Whether you're struggling personally or want to create a healthier team culture, we’re here to help you take the next step toward well-being and balance.
Contact us today to book a session.
