Work-related Stress

Work-related stress refers to a set of harmful emotional, cognitive, physiological, and behavioral responses caused by an adverse work situation. Stress is a natural response of the body: when faced with a challenge or demand, the brain releases certain hormones that activate the body and put it on alert to take action. Therefore, it is a necessary defense and adaptation mechanism for survival. However, when this response is excessive or inappropriate to the demand of the situation, or when it persists over time, it leads to an overload of tension that negatively affects the body and prevents normal functioning.

Work-related stress is the second most reported occupational disorder, affecting more than half of the population. Furthermore, its incidence and intensity are progressively increasing due to new forms of work organization and socio-labor relations.

Symptoms

The symptoms of work-related stress can be categorized into four groups:

• Emotional Symptoms:
• Irritability or aggression
• Anxiety
• Sadness
• Demotivation and apathy
• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Frustration
• Low self-esteem
• Cognitive Symptoms:
• Difficulty or inability to concentrate
• Problems with learning and memory
• Difficulty making decisions
• Mental blockages
• Confusion, disorientation
• Behavioral Symptoms:
• Impulsive or destructive behavior
• Excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
• Speech alterations: rapid, imprecise speech, stuttering, or broken speech
• Excitability
• Hypersensitivity to criticism
• Nervous laughter
• Physiological Symptoms:
• Muscle contractures
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Loss of appetite
• Sleep disturbances
• Skin conditions
• Palpitations
• Low immune defens

Causes

Work-related stress can be subdivided into three general types based on its causes:

• Work Stress: Occurs when there is an imbalance between job demands and the worker’s knowledge, resources, or skills.
• Occupational Stress: Arises from the specific conditions and characteristics of each profession or occupation.
• Organizational Stress: Results from a set of situations affecting the entire workplace organization.

The main stressors in the work environment are as follows:

• Excessive workload
• Tight deadlines
• Excessive working hours
• Insufficient workload
• Lack of reward or recognition
• Inability to express complaints or concerns
• Job instability or insecurity
• Lack of information about the position, tasks, or chain of command
• Lack of cooperation and support from colleagues or supervisors
• Poor work environment: conflicts, prejudices, intimidations, or threats
• Lack of control over tasks performed
• Insufficient training for assigned tasks
• Overqualification or underutilization of talents
• Excessive pressure and control from superiors
• Physically dangerous or unpleasant working conditions

Risk Factors

Factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing work-related stress include:

• Gender: Women experience higher levels of stress than men.
• Age: More common in the early years of one’s career and in the years leading up to retirement.
• Individual Personality: Low self-esteem, low frustration tolerance, high responsibility and perfectionism, or limited social skills.
• Management or high-responsibility positions.
• Night shifts or shift work.
• Dangerous professions, such as police officers, firefighters, military personnel, security staff, or pilots.
• Jobs involving care or public service, such as salespeople, taxi drivers, public relations officers, event organizers, call center operators, hospitality staff, educators, or healthcare professionals.
• Positions with performance-based pay, such as sales representatives.
• Jobs with no fixed hours, such as journalists or freelancers.

Complications

Work-related stress significantly affects the individual’s quality of life. Chronic work-related stress leads to burnout syndrome, an extreme physical and mental exhaustion characterized by feelings of depersonalization, dehumanization, and isolation of the worker, which may even develop into anxiety disorders or major depression.

Additionally, long-term stress can severely affect physical health and cause various diseases, including:

• Infections and autoimmune diseases
• Cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, or heart attack
• Digestive disorders such as peptic ulcers or ulcerative colitis
• Menstrual irregularities, including amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea
• Eating disorders
• Sexual dysfunction and infertility
• Respiratory conditions, such as hyperventilation or dyspnea
• Endocrine disorders

Furthermore, work-related stress has negative consequences for the company or workplace:

• Decreased performance, creativity, and productivity
• Increased absenteeism
• Increased workplace accidents
• Deterioration of interpersonal relationships
• Increased conflicts

Prevention

Workers can reduce or prevent work-related stress by taking certain personal care measures:

• Getting enough sleep
• Taking short breaks during the workday
• Setting limits on workload
• Eating a healthy and balanced diet
• Avoiding excessive consumption of stimulants
• Exercising regularly
• Spending time on leisure activities and social relationships
• Organizing daily or weekly tasks by priority
• Practicing self-control and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi

What Doctor Treats Work-related Stress?

Work-related stress is assessed and treated by psychologists and psychiatrists specialized in occupational medicine.