Mental Health in Advertising

Can anyone share advice on negotiating a shorter work week as an accommodation?

What did you ask for? Did you have to justify the request? What would you have done differently?

Thank you!!

Just lost a parent and grieving. My work is telling me to take as much time as needed. What is typical for people that were really close to their parent? I am in a fog and unmotivated to do anything. … more

I feel stuck as a senior, don’t have a romantic partner and this year I discovered my health problems. Maybe it would be all ok if I was making big bucks and winning lions but neither is the case.

I feel that I’m paying the price of having chosen safety over ambition. Making the “sensible”decision, I moved to small city in the Midwest instead of trying to pursue my career in a diverse and inter… more

Anyone else successful at their job in part due to neurodiverse traits? How do you train people whose brains don’t work the same way?

Hello, I just got a dog but wanted to have her as an emotional support animal. Does anyone know any known trusted websites where I can obtain an ESAN documentation? Also adding my therapist lives over… more

Anyone taken lithium without the weight gain? I’m bipolar but also anorexic…. I NEED to switch meds to lithium but I can’t imagine gaining the weight.

I'm really considering taking either FMLA or short-term disability for mental health reasons because I really just need a break to get my shit together and deal with a lot of symptoms of major dep… more

I’m exhausted with always being the one that gets laid off. I thought this was my break for the first time in my life and I’m being laid off again. I’m tired of hearing “I’m sorry that happened”…I don… more

I’m really struggling with my depression right now and finding it hard to do tasks. I have a ton of autonomy so I don’t have a lot of checks and balances at my job but I know it’s almost at the point … more

5 years at my current job, consistent annual raises/good feedback. Ended up with a new boss earlier this year who has since taken me off of every account and hired someone they referred to basically r… more

Is a 6 figure salary worth being micro managed all day, having your work re done by your boss over night without feedback, constantly being told no but also told to bring big ideas, long commutes, bei… more

Has anyone ever taken short term leave to go to rehab? Your job is required to accept that right and they can’t fire you for this correct? Or could they still fire you?

My therapist of 3+ years just told me that she’s going to stop taking insurance starting in January and her new rate will be $160 per session (right now I pay $45 for our weekly sessions). My insurance will not c… more

I hate when I get the old “well, it’s advertising” when I point out that there’s more work than hours in the week to complete assignments. Isn’t that a big part of the problem? To normalize abusive pr… more

How do you manage impostor syndrome and feeling lack of enthusiasm at work? Learning to navigate new health treatments is making my body and mind odd.

Idk who or where to turn to. I’ve been basically self-sabotaging myself at work. I’ve been openly saying I think I’m gonna get fired aloud in the the office. Having a negative demeanor. In any case, i… more

If someone initiates a chat with me on here and I choose to reply, is my identity revealed when I do? Wondering if my company is fishing. Also, what do I do to enable the chat function?

I thought there was a pinned list of mental health professionals here. Both analysts and psychiatrists. If there is not one, care to start one? I need to start back after 10 years, and my favorites have ret… more

Thoughts on hating a job just after a month of having started it?

I’ve had a very slow career progression. Like stagnant slow. Some people tell me that I am a talented Art Director, and I have a few design and advertising awards that might validate that notion. But … more

I have overwhelming anxiety. I overthink a lot and spent hours scrutinizing what I say what I did and how I come across, always concluding with something negative. I journal and it helps a lot but won… more

Does anyone else get overwhelmed with how much content is shared online? More so talking about social media, it feels like my algorithm is non stop ads, tik toks/reels, businesses. Nothing feels organ… more

My workload is insane and I have serious issues prioritizing myself. I won’t even walk away for lunch unless I have a meeting. I’m also battling depression and anxiety. Any suggestions on how to start… more

How do I stop negative self talk ?

I’m starting therapy again next week (I did it for a few months in 2020 due to some postpartum depression) and I’m weirdly very excited to dive back in under “normal circumstances”. Mainly focusing on… more

Peoples. This topic might have been explored in this bowl before but I have not read much about it recently. How do you handle WFH when it’s the only option? I have been working from home for last six… more

Why is it when ever I get feedback from my managers I feel like a POS and that I’m a liability to the team ?

How do you stop putting yourself down? I don’t mean to do it and it just comes out of my mouth and then I feel SO awk after.

Producers: How the HELL do you find time to workout or go to the gym? Are your hours just as out of control as mine are? Seems like things have certainly gotten worse. I just did three back to back jo… more

Why is it the more senior I get the more micromanaged I am? I have an EVP who dictates bullets to me and takes over all work and then plays the martyr. It’s mentally and physically exhausting.

Looking for some encouragement/thoughts. I’m about 6 months into a role and I really don’t like it. No book worthy at bats, no connection with any colleagues, a lot of really tight deadlines for no im… more

I keep scheduling my personal life around to accomodate my work schedule and i'm so sick of it.

Have you gone through periods when you do not want to work at all? I feel so guilty. I don’t know if I am bored, unmotivated or if I am just lazy. The latter makes me feel specially anxious, because b… more

I’m in talks about taking a few months unpaid Leave of Absence pretty much specifically for my physical and mental health, and I’m already torn as to if it’s a good idea. But I should trust myself in … more

Has anyone else experienced these? Are they signs of burnout?

> headaches that come on whenever you try to work
> total inability to focus
> difficulty processing & responding to feedback

Can you be burnt out in an easy job? Producer is an old title lol. I’m in a different field now and my job is way calmer and while sometimes stressful I would classify it as easy. Tasks have begun to … more

There are days like this when I deeply regret having chosen advertising as a career. I had the opportunity to study other careers that offer more stability in the long run and probably a better sense … more

What are some strategies you use to make progress on what you need to do amidst great overwhelm? I feel paralyzed. Stress through the roof and I can’t visualize how to finish the “projects” that I nee… more

I found out recently that I’m pregnant and I’m really excited about it. BUT I’m super tired, nauseous, and a complete emotional train wreck. I’m feeling so overwhelmed at work that I’m concerned for … more