Personality Quirks: E is for Ergasiophobia

Are you a writer looking for some interesting personality traits and quirks to create characters? Or maybe you’re a logophile, someone who loves words, and wants to collect more of them. Either way, you’ve come to the right place.

Ergasiophobia has two definitions, one general and one specific. 1) Fear of work or functioning. 2) Surgeon's fear of operating. Interesting, eh? The surgeon’s fear of operating is so specific, one has to wonder what triggered that definition.

I am reminded of Doc Martin in the British TV show. In that series, the brilliant surgeon, Doc Martin, had developed haemophobia (fear of blood) and so retired from surgery to practice general medicine in his aunt’s seaside village. Because he becomes faint when seeing blood, he is afraid to operate. His haemophobia led to ergasiophobia.

Etymologically, by now you know that phobia is from the Greek and means “fear of.” Ergasia is from the Greek for “work.” There you have it!

So as not to rip off the Doc Martin writers, instead choose another profession for your character and make shim very successful at it. Perhaps an investment banker, real estate developer, performer, or attorney. Maybe even a writer! Create a precipitating event that triggers your character’s fear of shis own work. Build from unease to mild aversion to total avoidance. When will others notice? Does heesh overcome the ergasiophobic condition or does heesh find another profession?

Or maybe your character is the recipient of the ergasiophobic’s services and begins to wonder at the unraveling of such a talent. Does heesh confront the ergasiophobic? Does your character try to hold shim more accountable in an attempt to counteract the condition?

If you enjoyed this post, please share the link on Twitter, Facebook or other social media you frequent:

Ergasiophobia is a real thing and writers can use it for character development from @RomanceRighter http://bit.ly/2mPkCPS