Overwork

Abstract

Overwork, ie, working beyond one's endurance and recuperative capacities, may be a hazard in certain personality types engaged in open-ended occupations. Some persons appear to lack an inner "governor" and for various reasons ignore the commonplace signs that inform one of the need for rest or recreation. If they are engaged in occupations that do not have a finite workday, they may at times exceed their bodies' ability to recover. Clusters of symptoms may then develop, some of which may mimic serious physical ailments. Treatment depends on diagnosing the extent of illness and eliciting the underlying causes. Correction involves enforced rest, therapy that may vary from counseling to hospitalization and specialized treatment, but that must include the reeducation of the person to be aware of and make provision for his physical and emotional needs.