Workaholism and Sleep Problems

There is a a direct correlation between excessive work and sleep problems.

Night work – workers on the night shift – have been the topic of many epidemiological studies. People of concern here are those who work into the night from the day, work two jobs or perform any type of job labor between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The Cleveland Clinic labeled this problem Night Work Sleep Disorder. Symptoms of the disorder are difficulty concentrating, headaches and loss of energy. Consequences of the disorder are increased accidents on the job, increased work related errors, mood problems (irritability), and increased sick leave from work.

Excessive work has also been found to interrupt sleep patterns and cause sleep problems. Researchers found that people who are constantly “on the go” and travel a lot suffer greatly from jet lag. Problems range from getting to sleep to waking in a timely manner. Doctors based the findings on the diagnosis on symptoms, using information from a sleep log and sleep laboratory testing. The study authors concluded the effects of excessive work were similar to those of jet lag when the individual flew across two time zones. Under continuously excessive work, the body does not have a chance to develop regular circadian patterns and sleep problems result.

A study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine concluded that excessive work and sleep disorders have a direct correlation. A study on individuals who worked over 60 hours a week at a veterans hospital concluded that over 76% reported sleep difficulties including problems falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, excessive total sleep time, and abnormal behaviors associated with sleep. Abnormal behaviors included sleep walking and sleep tremors.

"Fatigue is the best pillow." - Benjamin Franklin

A large study published in 2008 found that 85.7% of people aged 15 years and over reported suffering from at least one sleep problem over the previous 12 months caused or worsened by jobs and work overload. Sleep deprived people suffered from more work-related accidents, muscular problems, back problems, concentration problems and heart disease. Males seem to have a higher incidence rate of work-related accidents due to the sleep problems than women. The doctors involved in the study concluded that these health problems were directly related to sleep problems caused from occupational overwork.

A study cited in Industrial Health in 2005 found insomniacs in the United States have an average monthly sick absence rate that is 1.4 times greater than people without sleep troubles. And figures from the National Commission on Sleep Disorders suggest insomnia in the workplace costs the American economy between $92 and $107.5 billion a year in absenteeism and workplace disability, lost productivity, mistakes, and accidents. In the United Kingdom that figure was put at £10-12 billion ($18-21 billion) a year.

References:

The Cleveland Clinic: 1995-2010. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.

Merck: Merck Online Medical Library. Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders. March 2008. Karl Doghramji, M.D.

Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ . Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The National Library of Medicine. June 2009. By: Luminiţa, Chivu.

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