Fear Of Job Loss

 Now more than ever, the fear of job loss is epidemic. The recession has caused many people to lose employment they once considered secure. These days, almost everyone knows a friend, partner, or family member who has been laid off or let go from their jobs.
Fear of job loss can be a frightening and debilitating condition. It can affect general health, sleep patterns, and relationships with other people. When someone becomes focused on the idea of having no steady income, benefits, or retirement plan, they can become morose and sink into depression.
This phobia is an understandable response to the pressures of our world. For those who bear the burden of being a family’s primary breadwinner, fear of job loss can be a source of great stress. When children are involved and mortgage payments are due, a person who fears for their job security may pass many sleepless nights worrying about the future.
For others, the fear of job loss may leave them feeling terribly alone. For those who do not have strong family support or a lot of friends, the threat of job loss can leave them feeling isolated and sad.


This phobia usually develops in response to a prior trauma involving employment. For example, someone may have been fired or laid off in the past. The shame and humiliation of being escorted from the building, and having to tell their friends and family, can be a difficult memory to move on from.
This phobia may happen because someone is not doing well at their job, despite their best efforts. Perhaps they are not meshing well with their supervisor or co-workers. Some jobs are simply not a good fit for some people. And, now and then, people must work with cruel or harsh supervisors who have little sympathy for them. All these factors can make the idea of losing one’s job very real and frightening.
Some people suffer harrassment at work that makes the workday a nightmare. They may try to deal with the harrassment in a mature manner, but be stifled in some way from getting a positive result. Often, harrassment at work is sneaky and subtle, but real nonetheless. Eventually, many people who are being harrassed decide to leave their jobs, but others are forced out against their will. As with most bullying, the person who is harrassed on the job may be forced to take the blame for something that is being done to them. Any harrassment of this nature may lead to a phobia about job loss.
As you can see, many fears of job loss are not totally irrational. Sometimes, they are realistic. But fixating on job loss all the time is extremely unhealthy for any person. It can cause a lot of physical symptoms that are unpleasant and even dangerous.

Symptoms Of Fear Of Job Loss

If you have a phobia about job loss, you may find yourself dealing with insomnia. Sleeplessness, or changes to your regular sleep patterns may occur. You can also become physically stressed, and this will manifest itself in different ways. Some people who are very worried about job loss with suffer from stress-related conditions like shingles or short-term high blood pressure.
As well, fear of job loss can cause panic attack symptoms such as nervousness, racing heart, mental anxiety, and dizziness.
A common side effect of this phobia is depression. Depression is a serious illness that happens when a person is sad for an extended period of time. The brain may release less serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood. Lack of serotonin has been linked to episodes of major depression. Symptoms of depression are: changes in sleep patterns, weight gain or loss, feelings of hopelessness and despair, lethargy, etc.

Treatment For Fear Of Job Loss

If fears about job security stem from the current recession, an economic upturn may serve to ease worries. An upturn is predicted for 2010 by some economists.
If fear of job loss comes from problems like harassment, or difficulty with a supervisor, taking positive steps to change your work situation is the best thing you can do. If you’ve tried conventional steps such as discussing your problems with a boss, or going to HR, but haven’t gotten any resolution, then you may find you are much happier at another workplace. Getting training or education, and planning a new course of action will help you deal with your situation. If you must wait out the recession before seeking new employment, remember that you will most likely be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits if you lose your job.
Talking to a therapist is vital if you are exhibiting signs of depression or having suicidal thougts. They can help you! Never assume that your problems are too serious to treat – or that they are not serious enough. You deserve the best care possible, and anti-depressants and psychotherapy can help you deal with your fears in a way that is much better for you.