Multitasking fuels explosive rage
Today, our jobs demand much more from us than just time. Odd hours of work with a not-so-great pay package is leading to what experts call “explosive rage”. An example of which could be seen recently when a security guard at
an office of Muthoot Finance committed suicide by shooting himself, but not before he had shot dead two of his seniors while grievously injuring two others. Low salaries and disturbing work conditions are leading to escalating levels of stress, which is making many professionals aggressive.
Dr Rajat Mitra, a psychologist, says, “On an average I get three to four patients every month who complain of aggression due to stress at work, especially from the IT sector. Most of them want a solution for growing aggression. I call it explosive rage since in most of their personalities aggression is a dominant trait.”
Stress at work is nothing new but the way it is affecting people today is alarming. Niharika Khanna (name changed) shares her story. “I used to feel frustrated all the time. I worked even on weekends and often brought my work home. I realised my work pressure was becoming unbearable and then decided to work for a firm that gives me a little more room for recreation,” she says.
Until a few years back it was the moolah that was the driving force behind many opting to work even in stressful conditions, but times have changed. With no personal satisfaction, many employees are looking for a change. “I often yell at my younger sister when I go back home. I take out all my work-related frustration at home by getting angry over petty things. I contemplated quitting my job but the money always stopped me. But now I’m willing to work for lesser pay as peace of mind is my first priority,” says Neha Mahajan, who works with an MNC.
Some are even seeking help for their problems. “I work with an MNC in Mumbai and earn handsomely. But in the last two years, I’ve fallen sick at least six times. At times I feel so frustrated that I throw things at home. I am consulting a psychologist,” says Prashant Kapoor (name changed on request).
Consultant psychologist Dr Geetanjali Kumar takes stock of the situation, saying, “We are forever connected to the world through BlackBerrys and chat boxes. While multitasking you lose the time to focus on one thing. When deadlines are not met, people feel frustrated. What follows is aggression as most young professionals today don’t know how to handle criticism, arguments or failures. The brain feels exhausted, which results in aggression,” she says.
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