Psychiatric Causes of Workplace Problems (Abstract)

Steven Pflanz and Stephen Heidel

from Mental Health and Productivity in the Workplace
Kahn, J. and Langlieb, A. (eds), Jossey-Bass, 2003.

Poor job performance, interpersonal conflict and job dissatisfaction are common work problems that may be caused by a psychiatric illness (i.e., depression, substance abuse, personality disorder) or psychosocial problem (i.e., life threatening illness, divorce, fear of job loss, personality conflict). These problems may start with one employee and quickly impact a work group or an entire organization. When a situation like this arises, a psychiatrist may be asked to consult to the organization, or assess the employee(s) in question and help manage the problem.