3rd shift syndrome... is there one?

I have been working 3rd shift for over 15 years. I have also started noticing articles from science source that indicate that working 3rd shift is now considered a “factor” for cancer. Are there any other things to consider such as mood disorders?
Thank you

Hi Mir. Yes, working off-hours, working during the night, and working irregular schedules can all contribute to depression, sleep disorders, and other challenges. Please chat with general doctor next time you are in for a physical; it may be that working 3rd shift is taking a toll on your health. Thanks for coming to FBN, we’re here to help!

Having worked in telecommunications, I have worked a variety of shifts. Most recently, I was a retail sales manager for a major telecommunications company. This meant that I did not work any particular shift on a consistent basis. My days off were sporadic, and sometimes I would go 2 weeks before I was able to schedule time off for myself. When I was not at work, I was on call. So technically speaking, I worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, 360 days a year. My sales associates would even call or text when I was on vacation.

Adding to this chaos was the constant pressure to meet sales quotas and since I was the manager, I was also held responsible for insuring that my sales associates met theirs.

I was exhausted to say the least. Eventually I even found myself depressed, not just from the hours but the stress. When I tried to do something to reduce my stress levels, like exercising or just plain relaxing, I was constantly worried that my time would be interrupted by a call from work.

Even though the pay was good, I had to let this job go. I am now working a 37.5 hour work week, with MUCH less pay but I feel a whole lot better. This may not be an option for everyone. Do you have any advice for those who find themselves in this same predicament?

Hi Agelessalchemist. Good for you for stepping back, looking closely at the situation, and deciding what was in the best interest of your health. It sounds like you and MirKaplak were in similar situations and it’s really tough to know how to respond to stressful jobs.

Ultimately, I think we all have to look at the work we’re doing and ask ourselves: is this job helping me to “make a life” or just “make a living?”

There are many ways to make a living and when you find your job is hurting your mood, your health, and/or your relationships, it’s time to find something else.

This is more easily said than done, especially in this economy. So if you feel you need to make a job change, but need to deal with the stress while you are looking for something new, here are some tips:

1. Maximize your free time – spend your off hours resting as much as you can and enjoying the company of family and friends.

2. Limit how much time you will devote to worrying – you can tell yourself, “Ok, I am going to spend 20 minutes thinking about this and then I will stop and go do something else.”

3. Take care of your body – get a lot of sleep, make sure to get daily exercise, eat healthfully, and take a multivitamin.

4. Use caution with alcohol, stimulants, diet pills, and energy drinks – all of these can cause changes in your mood and destabilize your emotions.

5. Get engaged in other things – if you find yourself obsessing about your job and what’s going on, find some activities that really engage you, join a club, find a local scrabble group, do crosswords, watch movies – anything to keep your mind busy.

6. Seek professional help – if you find your mood is taking a turn for the worse, reach out to a professional, whether it is your doctor or a therapist, for help. We all get down now and then, but if you’re feeling really low, it’s time to talk to someone who can give you the support and care you need.

I hope this helps!

All my best,
Dr. Kathy