Originally Posted by Supercubbin

It’s not the job that causes anxiety and depression, it’s the lifestyle associated with it. Inconsistent sleep/wake times, disruption to circadian rhythm, poor diet and lack of exercise are all major contributors to depression and anxiety and there is a lot of good scientific data to support it. Add in a few interpersonal issues at home and you’ve got a pilot at risk of chronic depression. I always make it a priority to get good food, sleep and exercise on layovers, but some trips have consistently short layovers with at least one circadian swap. A disruption as simple as that can mess up your psyche for a few days, especially if you do a few of these types of trips back to back. I love my job and wouldn’t ever want to do anything else, but I’m also keenly aware of the physical toll this lifestyle takes.