Work Through Depression as a Founder: Signs, Treatment, and Gentle Ways to Keep Going
"Why do I have no energy for a business I used to love?"
When a business you built with heart starts to feel heavy, it is easy to blame yourself. You may tell yourself you are lazy, ungrateful, or losing your drive.
Sometimes the cause is depression, a common and treatable health condition. This article shares what the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says about depression, so you can recognize the signs and know where help is.
It is general information and not a diagnosis, and only a licensed health professional can diagnose depression.
What It Means to Work Through Depression as a Founder
Founders tend to hold themselves to a high standard, and many keep going through low seasons because the business depends on them. That strength is real. It can also hide a problem, because a founder can look productive from the outside while feeling empty on the inside.
NIMH lists these common symptoms of depression:
A persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood, or feelings of hopelessness
Irritability, guilt, or a sense of worthlessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Fatigue, and trouble concentrating or making decisions
Changes in sleep, appetite, or weight
Unexplained aches or digestive problems
Withdrawing from others, increased use of alcohol or drugs, or thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms vary in number and severity from person to person. For major depression, NIMH describes symptoms present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, with a depressed mood or loss of interest as one of the symptoms.
Persistent depressive disorder involves symptoms that last at least two years. NIMH adds that people with fewer symptoms may still benefit from treatment.
How It Can Look When You Work Through Depression as a Founder
Several of these symptoms touch the exact skills a business asks for. Trouble concentrating and making decisions can make a to-do list feel impossible. Fatigue can turn a normal workday into a struggle. Losing interest in things you enjoyed can include the business itself.
Withdrawing from people can mean skipping networking, ignoring messages, or avoiding the clients and collaborators who once energized you.
If you notice yourself thinking that the business has lost its spark, ask a gentle question: "Did this change when something else changed in me?" A business can need a new direction. It can also be that the way you feel is coloring everything you see. A health professional can help you sort out which it is.
Treatment Options When You Work Through Depression as a Founder
NIMH describes several evidence-based options:
Psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy are both described as evidence-based, and they can be delivered in person or virtually.
Medication. Antidepressants often take four to eight weeks to work. For depression that has not responded to other treatments, an esketamine nasal spray is FDA-approved.
Brain stimulation therapies. Electroconvulsive therapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation are used when other treatments have not helped.
Natural products. NIMH says the FDA has not approved any for depression, and it recommends talking to a provider before using supplements such as St. John's wort or vitamin D, since they can interact with medications.
A primary care provider is a good place to begin, and they can refer you to a mental health professional.
Gentle Habits to Work Through Depression as a Founder
NIMH offers coping tips that can sit alongside professional care:
Stay physically active. Even 30 minutes of walking a day can help.
Keep a regular sleep schedule and eat regular, healthy meals.
Keep doing activities you enjoy, even when you do not feel like it.
Stay connected with people you trust.
Postpone major life decisions until you feel better.
Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and non-prescribed drugs.
That fifth tip is especially useful for founders. A low season is a hard time to decide to close a business, sign a large contract, or let a team member go, and NIMH advises waiting until you feel better.
If a major decision cannot wait, a trusted advisor can help you look at it from the outside. Financial and legal questions are best brought to a qualified professional, and nothing here is financial or legal advice.
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In a life-threatening situation, call 911.
In my experience as a life coach, founders who ask for help during a low season often find that the business and the person both do better than when they carry it alone.
Feeling this way does not mean you chose the wrong path or lack the strength to lead. Depression is a health condition, and support is available.
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