Ergasiophobia has several titles, but the most common are: Fear of Work, Fear of Functioning, and Fear of Surgeon's Operating. This problem affects the quality of life by causing symptoms such as panic attacks, shortness or rapidity of breathing, irregular heartbeat, profuse sweating, nausea, generalized dread or anxiety, among other symptoms. The symptomatic manifestations are extremely individual. Generally the fear focuses itself around loved ones, business associates, and career opportunities, although it may manifest itself in conjunction with any success or work related process and experience. As these are subjective terms, the cause and expression of this phobia is very personal.

Ergasiophobia, like all phobias, is a form of an anxiety disorder. The criterion for true ergasiophobia is that the affected individual must experience excessive, irrational fear that causes pervasive maladaptivity with their daily life. While adults generally realize their fear is irrational, this insight is not typical in children with this phobia. Simply understanding the logical irrationality of the phobia does not neccesarily guarantee improved functionality. With a serious case of ergasiophobia can benefit from guided recovery with the assistance of a mental health professional.

Ergasiophobia is a social phobia, and its direct causes are not known, but are likely varied and may include genetic predisposition, underlying neurological damage/impairment, experiential conditioning, or a combination of any of these.

Common forms of treatment include systematic desensitization, relaxation therapy, and psychotropic drugs. A new drug called D-Cycloserine is currently in trial for the treatment of this and other anxiety phobias.