The software engineer mental health

In this video I discuss the developer mental health, stress, pressure, expectation, how to understand and shed light on the issues, and what might cause it all.
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[@JohnDoe-bu3qp]

When you do physical labor, it's easy to leave work at work. But when you work on IT, work is literally on your mind and it takes a lot of discipline to stop problem-solving when you're not at work.

[@lakhveerchahal]

Well said.

[@TheDEMMX]

So true..

[@InfinitesimallyInfinite]

I literally get vague ideas and script lines in middle of night sometimes!! Software Engineering literally occupies your brain. It is like persistent volume mounted on your brain from your work laptop!

[@anchalsharma0843]

@@InfinitesimallyInfinite I totally agree with you. I have gone through somewhat exactly like that

[@vulpixelful]

I feel stressed the most when I'm expected to deliver on the same timeline despite _anything_ going sideways, when there should have been a built-in buffer. Being treated like a robot that just blindly cranks out code is pretty dehumanizing. Sometimes things get done when they get done _well_ , with a consideration for code quality.

[@ponderatulify]

It's your job to push back. There is no one behind your back, but your vulnerable self. And that self deserves all the protection in the world

[@aymanpatel5862]

This. I have realised saying No is the hardest right thing to do.

[@mattgrave]

Just say no. We are lucky to be in an industry where there is more demand than offer. If you have a shitty boss, just start looking for a new gig rather than being consumed by the pressure. However, speaking out in a position of privilege might get you what you really deserve.

[@JD-vj4go]

The negative effects of long hours and high stress to your physical and mental health are well documented. It gets worse as you get older. Then throw in the constant layoffs, mergers, offshoring, oncall, 24x7 availability.

[@rituagrawal2218]

Thanks for talking about it Hussein. I was in that state almost a month back. Tired, exhausted, irritated with too hard deadlines. I silently decided to move to another project to save my mental & emotional state. As you said - just question, try to answer and do something about it. Answer will be different for everyone, but the process will be similar

[@samster261]

Thank you for talking about this. Get better and rest well.

[@Edekje]

Thank you for really driving the point home that when you are under stressors, you can't get into the flow, which sabotages your productivity in the short term, and work satisfaction in the long term. As a theoretical physics student it's crucial for me to get into the flow to learn efficiently. This had been going a lot less well for me in the past 1-2 years, and I thought it was because my passion had gone. Watching this I realised that actually, it's my chronic backpain which is causing this. If you can't focus on your work due to physical issues, you will never get into the flow, and work will just become a black hole for willpower, no matter how passionate you are. So the conclusion is that I need to find a way to address that first, to make space for getting into that flow.

[@poo81]

This discussion alone made me feel better.. Phew.

[@kumarvadivel4328]

One more thing i would like to add on this is giving technically impossible problems to solve. For example i was once asked to uncompress a rar file from a angular front end client.

[@henryjiang9664]

Wasm ;)

[@avenuer]

I was once asked to reduce the memory for an angular application build time, to keep it below a range, they even brought some contractors in, they did nothing and got paid better. 🤣🤣🤣

[@giovannibertoncelli6777]

When speaking about mental health I believe that awareness is the most important element. Without being aware of what we feel, how we feel, what kind of things hurt us or make us feel uncomfortable, and what kind of things bring us relief and joy we can't do anything. After this research, of what triggers some emotions, some discomforts, then we can start to hypothesize what strategies, workaround and choices (!!) can make us feel better. Awareness and knowledge of ourselves are everything.

[@ankansharma4897]

This is exactly what happening to me. I work in a very small team in pre-seed startup. My manager (he is also the CEO) is one of the greatest dude, like one can expect to be their manager. and he is a genius. The thing that takes me one two days to figure out or implement he can do it in hours. The problem is I feel extreme pressure to not let down. Most of the time I feel I am taking a lot of time, or what if my code is not according to the standard. So instead of enjoying coding and with complete focus. Most of the time brain is divided into two halves where I feel I am slow and not as good as the standard. Its taking huge toll on my mental health, I drag myself to work every day, even thinking of quitting Software engineering altogether and may be explore something else.

[@zeal7401]

You have ridiculous excellent mindset, and exactly know what people need.

[@rick-kv1gl]

i am having these issues for 1 yr rn. the issue is very real and undertalked about. i wish you get out of it and stronger.

[@dd-px6qh]

I think being good at what you do helps a lot, because what's the worst that can happen ? They ask you to leave ? Even if that happens which is highly unlikely, you can find a new job in a week, and in a couple of weeks if you want to be picky, as you should. So it really doesn't bother me, thus I am calm, I increase my life span, and I am better at my job.

[@fsl4faisal]

Totally connected with this one, I had the opportunity to work with the manager you described and it's not fun. I had no idea how bad it would be and also I had no idea how attached I was to the job, asking fundamental questions helped and I changed the job. I am hoping I will get good people in the nexr one.

[@maxhartung97]

Hello, unfortunetly I have this issue with me since I work. I am a junior software developer, I feel like this every day. Every day I am tired, I can t do anything when I get home. Regarding to timeslines or expectations. Most of the time the timeline is good but there is more work to do. So maybe I have 2 weeks to finish X but Y Z needs to be finished too in one week. I have the imposter syndrome every day of horse

[@hasanovnazar]

Junior dev here. By reading your comment, i can totally relate. I think, all we can do is to stick with the plan, do whatever we can, and by the time things will start getting easier. At the same time not to put too much pressure to ourselves, we are just humans at the end of the day.

[@tinmancode]

@@hasanovnazar i felt this way too, what are your managers like ant what kind of expectations are on your team and how do they help when you get blocked by bugs you have no experience about and things that are not in your control

[@hasanovnazar]

@@tinmancode i was lucky to have good managers. But it’s not the case most of the time. For me, the solution of my bugs and problems in the projects were my colleagues. Luckily i figured out early that asking for a help is not a shame, and it’s more than okay to ask for help. Of course not every person will be willing to help, but it always worth reaching out.

[@can9]

Thanks Hussein, you made me feel better.

[@royimon]

I honestly suffer from this a lot. This whole feeling that I have things due makes me feel guilty. Doesn't matter how I feel as long as I can type and think I feel like I need to get everything done . I feel places where poeple just don't keep piling up work are a tad bit better than where people just see your output level and upon that they assign you deadlines , which makes me feel like I am boxed and suffocated.

[@sasg87962]

ماش ماانت معجبنا اليوم. الله يستر عليك ويقومك بالسلامة

[@isaiahsmith178]

These videos are so great. I’m so happy i found your channel

[@45th-street]

Good one & on time. Currently in that situation. You missed out on politics, back stabbing and not just long hours, no interesting work and unrealistic expectations. Tc n Stay healthy. Seems that's a Dev's life majorly.

[@arthurmiller9103]

Many thanks🙏 for talking about this, be well.

[@JokeryEU]

you're so focused coding you dont notice that you worked for 6 hours straight :D , was doing some pair programing with a colleague, we noticed 5h:30m have passed, but for us felt like an hour

[@autohmae]

My personal biggest metal health problem for work is probably some imposter syndrome when I get a new task on my desk which supposedly I should be able to do. Because I am that senior at the companies I work for. Edit: and you mentioned imposter syndrome as well 🙂

[@LjaDj5XQKey9mSDxh4]

You didn't talk about an issue I have. I really like programming, most of the time. When I have a task I often work on it straight until it is finished! It is give me a sort of adrenaline rush, like as I am on drug. But I got addicted to this drug. And I can get super anxious when I don't have it.

[@zeal7401]

You are the best

[@ponderatulify]

You are getting very close to the root. The root, first principles if you will are emotions. They are the root. You stop doing things because you are frustrated You start because you are excited. You don't stop because you FEAR losing your job. emotional work is what is needed, there are somatic approaches to "clear your emotional blocks", to get you to a point where you allow yourself to feel what you've blocked for whatever reason earlier in your life

[@martasw8885]

Could you elaborate on this? Im curious of what you ment and what the ideal way of emotions work related according to you would be

[@devprakash5320]

when US engineers wants to talk, I have to attend meetings at 11:30 or 12 . It's a normal now. sleep cycle is completely ruined. it's like I'm always sitting in front of laptop, but I know one friend who is in much worse work life balance company. This is what it is. we have to deliver on time, that's it. Nothing matters more for the company .

[@mrvaibh0]

Relating with every single line

[@TanzilRehman]

Why video about mental health has a thumbnail of a heart :P

[@TanzilRehman]

but of course nice video :)

[@Chrosam]

Speaking of physical health, is that "secret lab" chair comfortable ?

[@trymoto]

Thanks

[@jinalkumarpatel5138]

When you work in team, there is an expectation from everyone based on role. Now if some person at senior role in your team not working as expected and due to that if other good performer has to do more work. What is suggestion in this case ?

[@lararawf6100]

God bless u

[@zoenagy9458]

only give 85% to not burn out

[@ayex86]

The solution is to quit the "labour camp" and get on with your life.

[@SuperKidontheblock]

I mean I know this job isn't physical but it is soo mentally taxing. Sigh

[@zaheeruddinfaiz7064]

Not the topic we needed but the topic we deserved. Thank you, hussein

[@hououinkyouma5372]

I've recently worked on completing a project where patients seek therapy and counseling. It feels especially stressful when users report bugs on this project because it feels like I'm personally responsible for getting in the way of their mental recovery...

[@tinmancode]

you need a hug.I think you are doing a fine job

[@nicholasmaniccia1005]

Social Services workers feel this too, just remember that you are one of the few out there helping these people and you are human just like them and deserve help and breaks when needed. Good luck and thanks for sharing!

[@sasg87962]

We're all in the same boat, God help us

[@Navoki]

You should try Voice Acting 😉

[@WomboBraker]

Nice man. Keep it up, I dig your honest and down to earth vlogging.

[@halfblindmotonut]

Very important, relatable and understandable video.

[@amnesia3490]

Every work or every event become unhealthy when you are doing it 9 to 5 for years in order to make money, I believe doing the same job for more than 2 yeras is damage mental health quite easily

[@MrBilaluddinahmed24]

Damm! that's too much relatable.

[@acuencadev]

My problem is that I not only work as a Software Engineer, but also spend my free time reading and learning languages. Sometimes I just brain fart and I block. I need to leave something behind, but damn, I love the three things. Also, we have to keep studying to stay relevant. New frameworks and techs are released every other day...

[@zeal7401]

I never seen somebody explain something on that easy way like you, easy way but you cover everything... Thanks

[@Mmmmmkoogfssdvbhvggg]

@Hussein This is so much relatable, I've seen your other videos and know how good you're at explaining things. But I am totally fascinated by watching this video, I feel like it is me talking my heart out. It's been a year almost that I've entered into this software develpment world and each and every word in this video is so much relatable. Even when you expain things, I feel like this is how I would have explained if I were there, you tell us "why we do something the way we do", and this is very important. Also, take care man, get well soon. The key takeaway is: Do not be affected by the external factors, and just get immensly dissolved into the work(of your choice) that you're doing and give your best, do not worry on "How it might end up", "Will my manager like it"? "Am I going to take more time to finish it, what will happen"? etc. etc.

[@jaleelnazir]

This is how your voice all the time 😂. Anyway take care,👍🏻

[@ResonantFractal]

Take a break every 1-2 hours unless you are in the zone.

[@rushivachhani8615]

its getting to feel like podcast, after a while