Workaholic Americans hit the happy pills
Published 01 December, 2008, 05:56
Burn-out is a term psychologists use to describe the result of working too hard for too long. And with lay-offs plaguing the American job market understaffing is putting pressure on employees to take even less vacation time.
Trademark pearly whites have become a quintessential American image, but looks can be deceiving.
A new study finds the land of the free, has become the land of the overworked and stressed.
Psychologist, Peter Fraenkel, says the U.S. workforce is close to being burnt out.
“We’ve got a culture that doesn't know how to take a break and revive and renew and replenish. And overtime leads to burnout,” Peter Fraenkel said.
Photography agent Sherry Riad is among those, who almost never take a break. The 33-year-old works up to eighty hours a week at a global production company. Even when she's off the clock – she's on.
“The last time I went on vacation was probably a year and a half ago and I had my blackberry with me all the time and I was answering work emails. And work calls. And working on estimates,” Sherry Riad said.
This type of work ethic has ignited a vacation shrinking syndrome in the U.S. In New York City, it seems like everyone is infected with the more-work mantra. Round the clock, any hour, the so-called rat race never stops. People are always on the go, most taking no time to recharge.
Statistics show Americans work more hours than any other nation, but receive the shortest vacations in the developed world. Averaging half the number most Europeans receive.
But all work and no play is backfiring. A study by the World Health Organization and Harvard Medical lists America at the top of the list of most depressed countries. The rising stress from no rest is making people sadder, sicker, less productive. Leading some to dub America – Prozac Nation.
U.S. government reports show antidepressants have become the most commonly prescribed drugs in the country. In the past decade the use of medications such as Prozac has nearly tripled.
“Those who are left on the job will find it more difficult to set a limit. They feel they'll have to do more face time at the job. So I think we're in for some difficult times in terms of people taking a stand. I think it will be a huge challenge,” Peter Fraenkel said.
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