Huge numbers of people are hiding mental health conditions from their employers because they fear it will affect their job, according to a new report.
A survey of 2,000 adults showed that two out of five have suffered from stress, anxiety or depression in the past year and not told their boss.
More than one in four of those surveyed for insurance firm Friends Life said they had taken a day off sick, explaining it was for a physical rather than mental health problem.
The most common cause of stress was excessive workload, followed by frustration with poor management and long working hours, the study found.
More than half of those polled said their career prospects would be damaged if they were open about stress or anxiety.
Younger workers were more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or stress, said the report.
Andy Briggs, group chief executive of Friends Life, said: "These statistics paint a worrying picture of a culture of silence when it comes to mental health.
"Our research shows that there is still much to be done in tackling mental health issues in the workplace. Anxiety, stress and depression can affect anybody and employees need help and support so that they are not left feeling vulnerable and demotivated."
7 Tips for Managing Work Stress When You Get Home
Leave Some Stressful Issues At Work(01 of07)
Open Image ModalYou can't rehash every annoyance or major problem with your partner every day or all you will do is sound like you're constantly complaining. Be selective about which story you want to share and which experiences you will keep to yourself. (credit:Thinkstock)
Start The Evening With Quiet Time(02 of07)
Open Image ModalEveryone should have a chance to get in the door and unwind from their own stress at work before being hit with a laundry list of their partner's issues. So don't walk in the door complaining. Come in, change clothes, decompress and use that time to calm down and consider what things should be shared and which ones should not. (credit:Thinkstock)
Limit Stress Talk(03 of07)
Open Image ModalLimit the amount of time you discuss what's stressing you. You have so little time to spend with your partner after work so don't spend it all complaining about problems. Sometimes we have rolling conversations about stressful things throughout the night. You bring it up as soon as you get home, then again during dinner, then after dinner, and then again in bed. Have the conversation once and avoid revisiting it unless absolutely necessary. (credit:Thinkstock)
Balance The Negative With Positive(04 of07)
Open Image ModalSpend as much time talking about non-stressful things or being affectionate as you spend stressing out. You want to leave your partner with a positive feeling about you, instead of with a knot in their stomach. (credit:Thinkstock)
Listen As Much As You Talk(05 of07)
Open Image ModalIf you want your partner to listen to you when you're sharing your concerns, then be sure to listen to your partner when they're sharing theirs. Things will go better if you make eye contact and nod or comment to show agreement or react to what they're sharing. Listening while staring at the TV or reading your mobile device will make your partner feel ignored. (credit:Thinkstock)
Share With A Friend(06 of07)
Open Image ModalOur significant others tend to be our best friends, and so we want to tell them everything that we go through both personally and professionally. Sometimes we don't realize when that is becoming overwhelming or just too much info in too little time. If you have a good friend, sometimes you can decide to share with that person and not bring your every concern home to your partner. (credit:Thinkstock)
Disconnect Electronically(07 of07)
Open Image ModalSo many of us are glued to our phones and computers but at some point we need to disconnect for the night and relax, especially when you need time for yourself and to spend time with your spouse and kids. You can't keep taking calls and reading emails through dinner, in the bathroom, in the bed and in the middle of a bedtime story. Choose a cutoff time to put your phone to bed and/or limit the amount of time you spend on the phone/computer so that you have time to take care of home.I know everyone needs to do what it takes to keep their jobs, but at the same time you won't be successful at work if you're falling apart from stress and your home life is crumbling around you. When you get home from work, try to manage your time and communications about work in a balanced way so that you can use your time at home to relax and recharge, not just rehash the day and keep the stress going. (credit:Thinkstock)