Perhaps you had been looking forward to retirement for years. You saved carefully, evaluated your portfolio to determine your retirement date, and practically counted down the days on your calendar. But now that you’ve finally stopped working, you’re not finding retirement as relaxing and fulfilling as you’d thought you would.

In fact, you’re concerned that you’re noticing symptoms of depression instead. These low moods caught you off guard. You’re disappointed that you can’t seem to appreciate all of your newfound free time.

Depression in retirement is surprisingly common. Here’s why you might be suffering from symptoms of depression after leaving the workforce and what you can do about it.

Losing Sense of Purpose

Even if you were not particularly passionate about your job, you may have found a sense of purpose in your work. Maybe you had the opportunity to help your customers solve problems, train and mentor younger employees, or work on complex projects that challenged you in positive ways.

Now, you’re not sure what your purpose is. You may not have had much time to focus on hobbies, volunteering, or creative pursuits, and you’re wondering what to dedicate your life to now. You might have had all sorts of “grand plans” in mind for retirement, but you don’t feel particularly invested in any of your initial ideas.

Lack of Structure

Although you may have wanted to enjoy more time off during your working years, your job probably provided you with a sense of structure. You had to wake up at a certain time each day, you generally knew what to expect during the workday, and you had the same routine week after week.

In retirement, a lack of structure and time-bound commitments can lead to depression. You might need to start making commitments to friends and family during the day. Signing up for classes and other activities in town can also help.

Missing Social Connections

Perhaps you weren’t best friends with your coworkers. But if you worked with a team of people, or met with customers every day, they probably provided you with some valuable social interaction. Yes, your professional contacts may have felt more like acquaintances than friends. But you might not have noticed the importance of their presence in your life until you retired. Now, you’ll need to focus on fostering other social connections in their absence.

Out of Step with Friends and Family

Maybe you left the workforce before your spouse. They have daily work commitments, while you’re at home. If you have children, they might be grown up and living on their own now. Some of your friends might be retired.

But others may still be working, especially if you retired a few years earlier than the official retirement age. You may feel like you and your loved ones are suddenly out of step. Reaching this milestone if the people closest to you aren’t on the same page can be a bit lonely.

Addressing Depression in Retirement

Many people are scared to open up about feeling depressed in retirement. They might worry that they’ll come across as “ungrateful,” or that they really have nothing to be depressed about. But talking to a therapist can help you process these feelings of guilt and shame.

Most importantly, you can start working out a roadmap for your next chapter. Your therapist can guide you as you hone in on your true passions and determine how you want to spend your golden years.

—

Are you struggling with symptoms of depression after retirement? Opening up to a therapist can help. Reach out to us to learn more about depression treatment for women or men.