Keys to overcome ergophobia

Working, due to the consequences derived from it, is a vital and practically unavoidable necessity for all of us for at least a good part of our lives. Firstly, because it allows us to obtain economic income to support ourselves; but, also, because it helps us fulfill ourselves on a personal and professional level, and can be the spark that ignites a good part of the relationships we maintain.

However, in some cases, Going to work becomes a nightmare due to the anxiety it generates.. Overcoming ergophobia is, therefore, essential to recover well-being.

The consequences of this fear of working can be devastating. Not only because of the great discomfort that is suffered on a daily basis, but also because self-esteem can be seriously affected and fear can generalize to other areas of life. Furthermore, ergophobia can easily lead to job loss and, therefore, financial hardship. Fortunately, there are effective treatments to address this pathology.

What is ergophobia?

Ergophobia is a condition that falls into the category of anxiety disorders; more specifically, within specific phobias. Consists in an intense and excessive fear of working that lasts over time and causes significant discomfort. Its main characteristics are the following:

Intense and disproportionate fear of working. This manifests itself not only during the work day, but anticipatory anxiety can also appear and continue after work hours end.Fear is irrational; and, although the person is aware of it, they cannot control or manage it. Physiological symptoms such as headaches, stomach problems, tachycardia or sweating appear in response to fear.You may suffer from a lack of attention and concentration, as well as memory problems. that affect work performance.The person may avoid going to work or doing some parts of it in order to escape the discomfort they cause. It is not a specific anxiety due, for example, to an excessive workload. On the contrary, The anxiety is persistent and lasts several months.

How to overcome ergophobia?

Generally Fear of work is related to a series of dysfunctional thoughts and emotions that are maintained over time. Thus, there are several guidelines that we can follow to work on them.

Improve your self-esteem

Insecurity and low self-esteem are frequently related to ergophobia. Lack of confidence in one’s own abilities to perform the job can generate very intense anxiety.

So, try to identify and enhance your skills and qualities and don’t underestimate yourself; Remember that if you are in that position it is because you have what it takes to carry it out.

Modify your thoughts

Anxiety can be caused by maintaining certain rigid or excessively demanding thoughts. regarding oneself. For example, considering that your colleagues are much better than you, that if you make a mistake you have failed or that, if you don’t achieve it, the goal will be a real disaster.

Make your beliefs more flexible and replace those thoughts with other, kinder and more realistic ones. can significantly relieve discomfort. For example, remember that you may have some skills that your peers don’t and that if a problem arises, a solution can always be found.

Additionally, perfectionism can add excessive and unnecessary psychological burden to your work. For this reason, make sure your expectations are not disproportionate and accept that everyone can make mistakes. Likewise, remember to recognize every small success and progress you make, strengthen yourself for it and give it the value it has.

Learn to relax

Since the main component of this disorder is anxiety, to overcome ergophobia It can be very beneficial to learn and regularly practice some relaxation techniques.. This can be used both to cope with moments of greatest stress and to reduce general anxiety levels during the day.

Psychological treatment to overcome ergophobia

If the above guidelines are not sufficient, it is best to seek professional help. The most effective psychological interventions to treat ergophobia seem to be cognitive-behavioral techniques.. The exhibition, specifically, is the one that offers the best results.

Discarding avoidance and facing situations that generate discomfort produces habituation to anxiety and, therefore, a reduction in it. But, it also increases perceived self-efficacy and with it self-esteem and the ability to face new challenges.

Systematic desensitization and mindfulness also provide benefits in this regard. Although, in any case, psychotherapy can help to overcome ergophobia effectively and thereby produce a notable gain in quality of life.

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