I would have thought that professions that deal with people would show lower rates of depression than those that don't, and I'm speaking from the experience of being an engineer myself.

Then again, many of these jobs have demanding deadlines (waitress) or just plain stink (changing diapers) so that could have more to do with it.

I wonder where providers would be ranked.

Click on link:

One of the factors in depression is not having a healthy outlet for anger- it is sometimes called anger turned inward.  Service help have to "eat it" a lot, i.e. the customer is always right, so if they get pissed off, they just gotta smile and go on- a formula for depression.

Providers- who knows.  I wouldn't presume to try to analyse them since I as a hobbiest probably need analyzed even more!

The three I've seen (a newbie) were certainly assertive in politely tellling me the limits, so seemed to have fairly intact boundaries and ability to express and enforce them.  However, I'm sure they smile politely through a lot of crap thrown at them too.  

The one thing both providers and hobbiests have in common is our acting out sexually and the "thrill" of doing this while avoiding le gives us a "high" that counters depression temporarily and serves as periodic relief.  What happens to us when the highs fade away and we have to come face to face with ourselves- ugh.

That's why I have participated in martial arts (marshall arts is when you get picked up for DWI) and boxing.   I've been beat on so much in my life that it now takes just a little bit of time in the boxing ring (good protection -at my gym) to work up a great sweat and take a couple of punches you never saw coming!

For other people - just work out hard in the gym.  Running or walking doesn't do it.  Get free weights and learn the right way to use them.  Lifting weights in a variety of styles will really release all the endorphins in your muscles and afterwards you'll feel tired and calm.

Besides, I check out the hot chickies while working out.

...because I found ,once working in the personal care field, that a lot of those other "providers" do not care for themselves. Good thing the hobby is a great outlet! (well at least for guys for the most part)

In my opinion ,it is not that simple.

It depends on what type of a human being you are. If you are doing a job which you hate to start with , you are more likely to become depressed!

I don't think it has anything to do with the job itself. (but i may be mistaking in having that opinion of course)

I am a very balanced and happy person and being a provider does not depress me at all. I have my boundaries and always keep to them. I also have loads of other things i am interested in so i never really sit at home waiting for the phone to ring.

7% sounds interesting...But then again, not everyone realises that they are in fact depressed!