Hello! In the previous video you saw how the world of work is configured nowadays. You saw some characteristics of work management processes and models that can be quite harmful to workers' mental health.
In video 20 we will address more specifically what these mental disorders are, and what illness situations are more prevalent among workers. I’m going to begin with a definition, which is adopted by the Ministry of Health in the publication, "Work-Related Illnesses: A manual of procedures for health services. " According to this publication, work-related mental and behavioral disorders are those processes of illness that result, to some extent, from the interaction of workers with work contexts that can provoke not only biological dysfunctions and injuries, but also, psychic reactions to harmful work situations.
So, recapitulating from video 18, where we talked about the relationship between pleasure, suffering, mental illness and the work processes, we see, then, and based on this concept proposed by the Ministry of Health, we can say that work-related mental disorders are the result of these harmful and destabilizing situations, which accumulate, and when a worker reaches a certain point, they can no longer cope. To have a dimension of what work-related mental disorders represent, I will bring some Social Security data, between the years 2012 and 2016, that show that diagnoses of mental and behavioral disorders that were classified as work accidents, mainly comprise of: Number one: severe reactions to stress. post-traumatic stress disorder, for example; Two: depressive episodes; Three: other anxiety disorders; And four: recurrent depressive disorders.
In addition to these conditions, which are the most frequent ones indicated by the Social Security data, it is important to include work-related chronic alcoholism in this list, as well as cases of exhaustion or “burnout”, which is a term that has been frequently used nowadays. Furthermore, in the Ministry of Health publication that I just mentioned, the Ministry proposes a list of work-related mental and behavioral disorders. This list includes the following disorders: Dementia in other specific diseases elsewhere classified; Delirium; Mild cognitive impairment; Organic personality disorder; Unspecified organic or symptomatic mental disorder; Chronic alcoholism; Depressive episodes; Post-traumatic stress state; Neurasthenia, including chronic fatigue; Other specified neurotic disorders; Sleep-wake cycle disorder due to non-organic factors; And what is called a feeling of exhaustion or burnout syndrome, also known as professional exhaustion syndrome.
This list is important to us, especially to healthcare professionals, when faced with conditions that have these diagnoses. It is crucial for us to question, in addition to the diagnosis, whether this condition could be related to work. Because once this relationship is established, it is important to take other measures in addition to caring for this sick worker.
So, recapitulating: in video 17, we saw some characteristics of the world of work today and how these characteristics can be harmful to mental health. Some of these characteristics are: Pressure for performance and productivity; Excessive control mechanisms, Fragmented tasks; Fast-paced work; Lack of control over task execution; long working hours and few breaks, Day shifts, night shifts, Among other characteristics. Therefore, when we are evaluating individuals presenting any of those conditions on that list, it is important to interview them about their work conditions to check if any of these characteristics are present.
But we also have to remember that, even if the organization of work is the determining element in mental health, there are some disorders that can also be triggered by physical, chemical, or thermal conditions. This is the case, for example, of the exposure to certain heavy metals or solvents, which may have a relevant toxic effect on the nervous system. And in these cases, manifestations such as irritability, nervousness, restlessness, memory, or cognition disorders are very common.
And so, it is important to make a consideration about burnout syndrome. Burnout syndrome, in the new International Classification of Diseases (ICD 11), is classified as a specifically work-related condition. This is important because it shows that the World Health Organization (WHO), which is who carries out and publishes the ICD, recognizes the direct relationship between work and the development of burnout.
In ICD 11, this new code is QD 85, part of chapter 24, which is the chapter that deals with factors that influence health status or contact with health services. Thus, burnout is a condition that is closely related to current management models. So, I would say that burnout is a reflection of our times.
It is a reflection of how work has been organized and configured nowadays. So, what is burnout? Let’s bring the definition in the ICD 11, according to which, burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic stress in the workplace that was not successfully managed.
It is characterized by three dimensions: the first, feelings of fatigue or energy exhaustion. Thus, exhaustion is the main characteristic of this condition. Second: an increased mental distancing from work or feelings of negativism or cynicism about work.
What are we talking about here? Those situations in which the worker no longer engages. They are unable to engage either mentally or emotionally in their work.
They can no longer mobilize themselves. And third: a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. Burnout specifically refers to occupational context phenomena and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.
So here again, emphasizing that it is a phenomenon directly linked to work situations. It is triggered by issues related to the work context. In addition to this list by the Ministry, I think it is important for us to mention here some situations that can also cause mental health problems.
First, the issue of accidents at work and some work-related diseases, such as RSIs, repetitive strain injuries. The development of these conditions, the occurrence of accidents, can somehow also affect mental health, causing, secondarily, depression, anxiety, as well as the occurrence of various forms of violence in the work context. When I speak of violence, I am referring to verbal aggression, physical assault, threats, and moral or sexual harassment.
And, finally, non-work situations, that is, those situations of unemployment especially, prolonged unemployment, which can also trigger depression, for example. And mental disorders cause a lot of damage. So, in the face of mental disorder diagnoses, it is essential to evaluate the repercussions of these disorders in people's lives.
What are these repercussions? First, limitations in the development of daily activities, such as, for example, self-care, engaging in social interactions, leisure, and the exercise of social functions. Here we are talking about socializing with family, friends, and at work.
Also, repercussions regarding the development of work. Often, we observe repercussions in the ability to concentrate, in persistence, and work rhythm, which directly affects performance. And also, the deterioration or decompensation of work, which refers to what?
Those situations in which the worker presents repeated failures or loses the ability to adapt to stressful situations. So, these are situations that can trigger a decompensation in workers who can no longer cope with these stressors. It is important to conclude by saying that these limitations and repercussions need to be carefully evaluated so we can think of better ways to provide care for these workers, and at the same time, even consider the need for a temporary leave of absence from this work.
So, that's it for now. I hope you understood what are the main disorders in the world of work, which are the most prevalent nowadays, and what is important to evaluate.
