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What is ergophobia, the fear which can throw our careers off track?

Apr 13, 2025

Few know that there's a real phobia of work called ergophobia. Do you get anxious about facing your boss or tasks? This fear can derail careers and stem from pressure or burnout. Discover the surprising symptoms and how this irrational anxiety develops. Dive into potential treatment options and gain reassurance about your experiences with this condition. In just a few minutes, learn what you need to know about navigating this daunting fear.

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Quick takeaways

Ergophobia is a debilitating fear of work that can result from factors like past trauma, perfectionism, and low self-esteem.

Effective treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, exposure therapy, and relaxation techniques can significantly help manage and overcome ergophobia.

Deep dives

Understanding Ergophobia

Ergophobia is an extreme and irrational fear of work that can significantly impact an individual's career and overall well-being. Symptoms include anxiety or panic attacks before or during work, avoiding work-related situations, irritability, and physical signs such as a rapid heart rate and excessive sweating. Various factors can contribute to the development of ergophobia, including past traumatic experiences in the workplace, perfectionism, and low self-esteem. It is also linked to the rise in anxiety and depression globally, particularly aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Understanding Ergophobia: The Fear That Impacts Careers

5min

Many of us have joked in the past about being allergic to work, or afraid of it, but did you know that there’s actually a real phobia of work?Have you ever felt anxious or stressed about going to work? Do you dread the thought of facing your boss, your colleagues, or your tasks? Do you avoid applying for jobs or quit them easily? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have ergophobia.

It’s an extreme, irrational, and debilitating fear of working and of the features of work, such as specific tasks, social relationships, or speaking during meetings. It is considered a form of social phobia or performance anxiety, and is also recognised as a derivative of burnout, due to constantly feeling pressure or excessive expectations at work.

How do people develop ergophobia? What are the symptoms? Can ergophobia be cured? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !

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A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 31/5/2024

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