Office Anxiety - And what to do about it.
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Office Anxiety is a name that the media have given to a set of symptoms which basically amount to anxiety that is due to or exacerbated by work stress.
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Fidgeting
- Excessive worry
- Guilt at perceived under achievement
- Hyperventilation
- Panic attacks
- Feelings of low self worth
- The end of the 9-5 day with the Americanisation of UK work practices.
- The introduction of new technologies that actually pile on pressure rather than save time.
- Much less job security.
- Dependents demand of consumer goods and expensive lifestyles.
- The over-use of performance targets as a motivational tool.
- The under-use of praise as a motivational tool.
- Talk to someone at work! Many good employers are wising up to stress and have programmes that can help.
- Talk to your family or friends. Don't suffer in silence, people that know you can often help and advise.
- Talk to your doctor. If you are over stressed you may get signed off work.
- Be realistic about your work goals. Rome wasn't built in a day and if your manager doesn't know that then they are a bad manager.
- Stop those guilty thoughts. Spend some time reaffirming that your life is your own. Do not blindly give your life to your bosses and share holders.
- Get in shape. Exercise reduces stress.
- Leave the office earlier. Longer hours equal more stress.
- Drink less caffeine. Enough said.
- Join a Union! Yes, I know it's considered old fashioned but workers need rights more than ever right now.
The symptoms tend to be:
Psychologists and Psychiatrists have christened some of these symptoms as ADT, Attention Deficit Trait where time management and scheduling become difficult or impossible, as fear rather than time manage workers' lives.
Of course some of the above symptoms (arguably all of them!) are quite normal in an office environment, so the introduction of labels is likely to bring out the hypochondriac in some people. Having these symptoms should not be cause for further worry, just some positive action!
One expert argued that ADT is a response to the hyperkinetic environment thats todays offices have become.
In the UK 6.5 million work days are lost to mental ill health induced by workplace stress.
Various factors have contributed to a recent upturn in work related stress.
What is the outcome?
Well, in Japan where Office Anxiety or ADT is more advanced there are over 1000 suicides a year which are out down to work pressures. That does not mean this is likely in the UK and USA however it does mean their should be more action taken now, to curb this problem.
What can I do about Work Stress or ADT?
Here are some simple suggestions which could go a long way to alleviating your problems.