Can being a graphic designer lead to depression?

This article will center on how it feels to be a graphic designer. It will show why they can become depressed, and what are the best ways to prevent it and cope with depression.

Can being a graphic designer lead to depression? 

Yes, being a graphic designer can lead you to become depressed. That is because when you work in that field, you will be faced with a lot o 

stressful situations. A graphic designer is constantly dealing with pressure, and being evaluated.

Their work demands that they are open to hearing criticism all the time. You will be evaluated on your job by your boss, and the clients you are working with, and their evaluation is never based on a concrete matter. 

All the evaluation made on graphic design is based on the subjective ideas that the bosses and clients have for what they want.

Not knowing what they want, and what they will say about the work you are doing, can lead you to be worried all the time. It can go on to the point that you can feel panic, start to doubt yourself, and the known imposter syndrome can kick in. In some cases, it can even lead you to fear losing your job.

Another matter that harms the mental health of someone that is a graphic designer is a belief, nowadays, that everyone can be a graphic designer. 

The Internet made it possible for everyone to do their designer projects just by using some apps and websites, and this can lead the true professionals to fear they may not be relevant anymore. You may feel like you need to prove your worth all the time, which can add a lot of pressure to how you feel.

All of that, with time, can take a toll on your mental health. Knowing that depression can be caused by a constant influx of stress, and even by a traumatic situation, allows us to understand how easy this can happen to someone working in graphic design.

But it is important to know that there are some ways you can prevent yourself from becoming depressed, even though everyday life may be too hard on you. Let’s discuss what are ways to prevent you from getting depressed.

What are ways to prevent you from getting depressed as a graphic designer? 

If you are a graphic designer, you can care for your mental health by trusting yourself more. Understanding what your creative process is will allow you to not put too much pressure on yourself. You will have a good sense of direction and know how it works for you.

Try to make as many drafts as you can. It is not always the first idea that will work. Try to not take on the first idea, there may be more inside you. Keep working hard until you get a result you feel happy with. Looking at what you have done and feeling satisfied can give you a great sense of accomplishment.

You should also understand what your role is in the company. As a designer, your job is to provide value to something. Knowing that will allow you to know that your job is not up for grabs. Even though people may do graphic design as a hobby, you will have your professional eye and know-how.

Try to keep yourself up to date. If you know there is an ability you are lacking, or that you need to learn how to use a program, go learn it. There is a lot of information nowadays, and it will most likely improve your work, and make you feel professionally safer.

You should never copy others. Keep in mind that you are original, and have great ideas for yourself. Your clients most likely hired you for your ideas, they want to see your job.

And finally, always take time to go out for a walk. When you do creative work, even a short walk can fuel you with a lot of inspiration. It will also allow you to clear your head when there are a lot of thoughts in your mind.

But if you feel like you are already depressed, know that there are some ways you can cope with it.

How can I cope with being depressed?

If you feel that working as a graphic designer has made you depressed, these are some ways you can cope.

Write down how you feel 

Writing down how you feel can be a great way to externalize your emotions. Don’t worry if it will make sense. You just need to put it out, and maybe reading it over will help you understand what has been troubling you.

You can decide how you want to do it. If you feel that there is a lot in your mind, you can write every day. Or you can choose to write when you feel like the negative emotions are taking over. Discover what works best for you.

Share how you feel 

Talking about how you feel is another great way to externalize it. Sharing it with people that are going through similar things as you, can help you feel less alone. You can talk about your doubts and fears with colleagues and even bosses. 

Aside from that, you can share with friends and loved ones that can be caring. But you might want to share it with a therapist as well. Going to therapy will allow you to understand your emotions better, deal with what triggered your depression, and learn how to navigate it more positively.

In some cases, when your depression is too intense, your therapist may suggest you look for a psychiatrist. This is a mental health doctor that will be able to prescribe you medication to treat your depression. That is important in some cases as it will help manage your depressive symptoms.

Care for your imposter syndrome 

Imposter syndrome is something taka can have a huge negative impact on you. It leads you to believe that you have no talent, or that you don’t know how to do your job. And of course, that is a lie.

You got to where you are now based on your efforts and know-how. But it may be hard to keep that in mind when you see a great project done by another person, or you receive a lot of criticism for the work you have done. 

Try to keep in mind that even though other people are also doing a great job, you have done something great as well. But when you fail, know that this happens to all of us. To pressure yourself into being perfect, we are all human.

Take care of yourself 

Caring for your body, not only your mind can be important. Pay attention to what you eat, and try to eat healthy food that will keep you nourished. Aside from that, try to practice good sleep hygiene. You should sleep between 7 and 9 hours a day. 

Try to avoid screen, and stimulants before your bedtime, since they can make the quality of your sleep worse. Exercising is also important. It will help reduce your stress levels, and it can have a positive impact on your sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Can being a graphic designer lead to depression? 

What are the pros of being a graphic designer? 

There are many pros to being a graphic designer. The first one is that they can make a good amount of money, and it allows you to work indoors. It is also a great chance for you to put your creativity to work. 

And when you start working, you can look for job opportunities in many companies, and work in different lines, since you can work as self-employed, which will allow you to make some money on the side.

Being in the field of graphic design will allow you to learn all the new technologies, and you most likely won’t have to work on weekends. People that work in graphic design can usually have a good work and life balance.

What are the cons of being a graphic designer?

Being a graphic designer like any other career has its downsides. It is important to know that it is not a career that will get you rich. And it often asks that you work in front of a computer all day long. In some companies, you may be required to have a diploma to work as a graphic designer.

And having a college degree can lead you to have to pay student loans. Which can take a toll on your financial life. Promotion is also hard to happen in a graphic design career.  It can sometimes make you feel lonely, and you may need to learn how to deal with criticism and pressure.

Who should be a graphic designer?

A graphic designer should be someone that is a creative thinker, and that enjoys art. People that want to work as graphic designers should know that they need to be good at learning new technologies and be good at communicating with others since you will need to be in constant communication with your clients.

What are the perks of being a graphic designer?  

There are some perks to being a graphic designer. One of them is that you can be a part of many different companies, which makes finding a job easier. And because of that, you may have the chance of working in many different environments, and if you feel that a company job is not the best for you, you can become self-employed.

There are many areas of expertise in graphic design, and you can choose the one that fits you best. For example, you can do illustration, web design, or typography.

This career often gives you a chance to express yourself through your art. And having a portfolio will be concrete proof of your abilities, and will help you realize how you have improved over time.

What are good creative careers for introverts?

Aside from being a graphic designer, other careers can be great for people that are introverts, like being a writer, that works mostly by themselves. An artist can also be a great career for someone that is an introvert since they will be able to be self-employed, and will deal with their work on their own.

Conclusion 

This article centered on how stressful it can be to be a graphic designer. The article showed how this can lead them to depression, and what are the best ways to cope with that.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to write them in the section below.

References

https://medium.com/@JostenDooley/10-tips-to-avoid-being-depressed-as-a-graphic-designer-6187844dcc08

https://www.shillingtoneducation.com/blog/mental-health-tips-graphic-designers/

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