Why Panick Attacks Are Common To Software Developers

stress-disorderSoftware developers are highly trained professionals who accomplish amazing tasks throughout their careers. While many people think of their careers as being normal, with a medium level of stress, these professionals often experience panic attacks, extreme anxiety and significant amounts of stress. There are many reasons why software developers feel anxiety, but one of the primary reasons is that their work may not be understood or managed correctly.  This article was written by the fellows as Panikattacken, who offer a solution to high anxiety.  You might want to use the Google translator however!

Work Environment

In a perfect world, software developers would be given the approval to take on and complete tasks as needed. Since their area of work is highly specialized and constantly changing, they easily get behind in even just a few months. For example, many developers who are hired are provided with projects, but given a lack of requirements for that project. They may also not be provided with specific guidelines on how to accomplish tasks or even the specific projects they are supposed to complete. Having significant ambiguity with a job is enough to cause anxiety in anyone! Having to work with that insecurity all of the time contributes significantly to high levels of stress.

Poor Time Frames

Along with many people not understanding their job, software developers are often given impossibly tight deadlines. Because deadlines are given from upper levels in most cases, the developer may have to work 60-hour work weeks in order to complete assigned projects. Having to work incredibly long hours on a regular basis contributes significantly to anxiety. Many people find that when they are forced to consistently stick to unrealistic deadlines, they begin to develop an anxiety disorder and with good reason.

brain-stressNew Technologies

Everyone fears becoming obsolete in their fields but software developers have even more anxiety in this area. While most fields move along at a reasonable pace, the world of technology is moving at an infinitely faster pace each year. A program developed at the beginning of one year may be obsolete even just six months later. Knowing that any work done will be temporary can cause anxiety. In many ways, a software developer may feel as though his or her work is never truly done.

Work Environments

Software developers have to be creative people to succeed in their fields. However a person’s work environment contributes significantly to creativity at any given moment. Unfortunately, developers often work in open work spaces and may be relocated frequently. Having to constantly change locations and work in areas that may be crowded or very loud does not lead to a good environment and may make it difficult to complete tasks and projects well and in a timely manner.

While many software programmers struggle with panic attacks and anxiety, their difficulties have not been ignored. Business Insider published an article on the huge amount of anxiety that simply comes with this position. As more people become interested in technology today, software developers may find that their work environment improves. However, currently, software developers suffer from significantly more anxiety than other professionals, even those who work in traditional high stress fields.

http://www.businessinsider.com/syndromes-drive-coders-crazy-2014-3

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