Fear of work
Last reviewed: 12.03.2022
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A phobia recognized by science, in which a person experiences an irrational uncontrollable fear of work or fear of it, is called ergophobia or ergasiophobia.
This is one of the psychopathic disorders in which increased anxiety is caused by situations or circumstances that, at the time of their occurrence, do not pose a real danger to a person. [1]
Causes of the fear of work
Why do human phobias arise , in particular, a panic fear of getting a job or a fear of going to work? Psychiatrists associate the causes of this social phobia with the presence of a negative experience of failure in professional activities and the development of neurotic depression, as well as experienced persecution or intimidation by superiors and / or colleagues; fear of psychological / physical injury or conflict situations related to the performance of work, or anxious expectation of censure / disapproval for an insufficient level of its quality. [2]
There may also be an increased concern about competition - comparing one's successes with the achievements of others, especially against the background of low self-esteem or a syndrome of derealization and chronic depersonalization.
Many foreign experts consider ergophobia to be a derivative of emotional exhaustion or burnout syndrome at work, which occurs due to a constant feeling of pressure or excessive expectations in the workplace.
The fear of losing a job often arises after severe stress and a protracted depression due to dismissal and unsuccessful job searches (with many interviews and refusals).
At the same time, ergophobia as a social phobia can be part of an anxiety disorder (including generalized) or obsessive-compulsive disorder .
Risk factors
Experts cannot name the exact risk factors for the development of panic fear of work, but they emphasize the important role of genetics and upbringing, first of all, neuroticism inherent in the individual, psychasthenia and emotional instability with a tendency to sudden changes in mood, self-doubt, increased vulnerability and adaptation disorders, problems with communication and the formation of interpersonal relationships.
External factors most often include psychosocial stresses and the constantly experienced personal negative experience (that traumatized the psyche), already mentioned above, although a significant amount of subjectivity is inherent in the assessment of the events that gave impetus to the development of ergophobia.
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of phobias is discussed in the material - Phobic disorders
In addition, both an imbalance of neurotransmitters regulating emotions and problems with the functioning of the limbic system of the brain , in particular, the amygdala of the temporal lobes, are directly related to emotional and behavioral disorders in phobias.
Symptoms of the fear of work
Fear of work, as a reaction of phobic anxiety that occurs at the thought of the workplace or approaching it, causes symptoms of panic - panic attack , which can be manifested by increased heart rate and dizziness, dry mouth and excessive sweating, general weakness, involuntary trembling, discomfort in the abdominal area, a sense of unreality of what is happening around. [3]
The progression of this condition can lead to symptoms of a depressive disorder .
Diagnostics of the fear of work
In American psychiatry, the diagnosis of phobias is carried out in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). However, the fear of work and everything associated with it is not defined as a phobia in the DSM-5. And psychotherapists use the Burnout Inventory, developed by UC Berkeley psychology professor Christina Maslach (Maslach Burnout Inventory). The questionnaire allows you to assess the degree of emotional overstrain and exhaustion from work, the level of competence at work, the severity of self-esteem, etc. As a result of this work, in 2019 WHO decided to include occupational burnout in the ICD-11 as a health condition.
Domestic psychiatrists study the patient's history and conduct a survey in order to study the neuropsychic sphere .
Differential diagnosis
When making a diagnosis, it is necessary to differentiate not only phobias and fears , but also a number of other psychopathic personality disorders, for example, schizotypal or borderline.
Who to contact?
Treatment of the fear of work
Treatment of anxiety disorders, including fear of work, is a long and rather complicated process. It is carried out using methods such as:
- cognitive behavioral therapy;
- exposure psychotherapy;
- individual or group dialectical behavior therapy;
- meditation.
Anxiolytics (drugs for anxiety) are often prescribed, for more details see - Pills for fear
In some cases, it becomes necessary to use antidepressants (Paxil, Zoloft, etc.).
Patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle are advised by psychotherapists and psychiatrists to regularly exercise, ride a bike, go swimming, tennis or run. [4]
Prevention
Special prevention of phobias has not been developed.
Forecast
In cases of fear of work, the individual prognosis depends on the personal qualities of the patient, the degree of awareness of the presence of a problem and readiness for treatment.