tööhäire

tööhäire is a term appearing in some online discussions, popular science articles, and fringe publications to denote a proposed syndrome linked to modern work life. It is not an officially recognized diagnosis; there are no formal clinical criteria, coding, or guidelines.

Symptoms typically described include persistent fatigue unrelieved by rest, difficulties with attention and working memory, sleep disruption, irritability, low motivation, and reduced social functioning. Some accounts emphasize somatic complaints such as headaches or muscle tension, and feelings of being overwhelmed by digital connectivity.

Causes are described as multifactorial: chronic work overload, irregular schedules, shift work, job insecurity, poor recovery opportunities, and high levels of perceived control or responsibility. The mechanism is often framed in terms of stress-system dysregulation, sleep-wake disruption, and inflammatory or neurochemical changes, though such mechanisms are speculative.

Diagnosis: as tööhäire is not formally recognized, there are no official diagnostic criteria. If encountered, clinicians would likely use existing frameworks for stress-related disorders or burnout, excluding other medical or psychiatric conditions. Assessment would be largely clinical and self-reported.

Treatment and management emphasize non-pharmacological approaches: workload management, sleep hygiene, cognitive-behavioral strategies, stress reduction, and restoration activities. Where necessary, treatment targets comorbid conditions such as anxiety or depression and may involve psychotherapy or medications as indicated.

Epidemiology: no robust data exist; reports are anecdotal. Some proponents link tööhäire to trends in overwork and digital saturation.

Origin: the term has appeared in 21st-century discussions about work culture and mental health, but there is no consensus on its definition or utility within medical literature.