Len Sperry The Other Half of the Equation: A Psychiatrist in the Workplace [Occupational Psychiatry]

Let's begin with an increasingly common case presentation: I saw Jason L. on referral from his company's EAP. He is a 48-year-old regional manager who presented with depression, insomnia, general malaise, and chronic worry. He has been with his company for 18 years and quickly rose through the ranks to his present position. To remain competitive, the company has been going through a series of

downsizings for the past two years. One of the most difficult parts of Jason's job has been laying off or discharging sales reps and office staff who have become close friends. He finds this task increasingly difficult and painful and doesn't think he can continue doing it. He describes laying awake nights ruminating about his laid-off friends: Have they found jobs yet? Are they angry with him? Can he face the prospects of discharging any more of the people who report to him? Jason reports that his personal life has been going as well as ever. He notes he is happily married and recently celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with a surprise trip to Honolulu which was arranged by their three grown children. In short, Jason voices no complaints about his life outside his job, except that recently he has had little interest and energy in partaking of it.