Mr. Lin, who works in international trade, shares: "I'm practically sleepless these days, mainly because of emails. At the office, I set up email alerts so I won't miss any messages. At home, I leave my computer on overnight, constantly expecting new emails. I wake up easily, and when I do, I find myself checking for messages without even realizing it.Even when the computer is off, I experience auditory hallucinations at night—constantly hearing that 'ding-dong' sound from the office, knowing full well it can't possibly be coming from my home." As this "midnight ringing" grew increasingly tormenting, Mr. Lin had no choice but to seek help from a psychological counseling center.
Office Workers Should Appropriately Unwind to Relieve Stress
Sun Li, a professor specializing in workplace psychology at East China Normal University's Counseling Center, explains: "Email anxiety typically stems from tension and pressure caused by work uncertainties and lack of control. Currently, diagnosis and treatment for this 'modern ailment' primarily focus on psychological counseling for patients." Professor Sun advises office workers with similar symptoms: "They should relax appropriately, try mind-spa activities like music meditation, and maintain a balanced mindset."
Rising Number of Email Anxiety Consultations
Psychologists note that "email anxiety" significantly disrupts normal work and life. Currently, an increasing number of office workers are dependent on their email, with severe cases exhibiting compulsive behavior that gradually evolves into "email checking addiction."
It is understood that more and more white-collar workers are troubled by email anxiety, and the number of people seeking psychological counseling is also on the rise. The severity of symptoms is closely related to their income and position.
Experts indicate that most sufferers of "email anxiety syndrome" possess high educational backgrounds and face intense work pressures. They feel compelled to constantly update themselves with the latest information, digest it, and put it to use. Professionally, journalists, advertising professionals, and internet workers—those who remain in prolonged states of high-pressure work—are high-risk groups for developing this condition.