Leisure sickness refers to sickness that some workers experience when they try to take time off. The person may use work to suppress negative feelings. When there is a let-up on work these emotions may be experienced, setting off a recurrent cycle.
Signs and symptoms experienced by the person when away from work:
(1) headache (including “weekend headache”)
(2) fatigue
(3) muscular aches and pains
(4) flu-like symptoms
(5) anger, depression and anxiety
Risk factors:
(1) workaholic
(2) high sense of responsibility at work
(3) difficulty relaxing or relating outside of work
(4) need for achievement
The diagnosis requires exclusion of other explanations such as over-exertion, travel-related exposures, etc.
An affected person may avoid taking time off in order to avoid the negative feelings. This can increase the risk for burnout and alienation from family and friends.
The fact that the person can now work from anywhere means that the person may take work home and on vacation.
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