Also called Printum Nervosa, this printing disorder is characterized by an addiction to paper and documents. An individual suffering with compulsive printing disorder has episodes of uncontrolled printing, during which he or she may have a pressured, frenzied feeling. The person may continue to print even after his or her storage space is becoming uncomfortably full. The binge is typically followed by a period of intense guilt and/or depression. Not to be confused with Shreddia Nervosa which involves repeated episodes of binge printing, followed by ways of trying to purge the documents by excessive spells shredding all this paper again.
Symptoms: As with other office disorders, there is a significant emotional component to printing compulsively. Most sufferers use paper and documents as a way to hide from responsiblity, fill a void inside their storage units (“look I am working like crazy!”), and cope with daily stresses. Many people with compulsive printing disorder feel guilty for not being “good enough,” shame for having such thin project files, and have very low self esteem. They turn to printing to cope with their painful feelings, which only leaves them feeling worse. Sufferers often have a constant need for managers or colleagues attention and validation, and without it, may go into obsessive episodes of printing as a way to forget the pain.

Treatment: Without proper treatment, this disorder can lead to severe work environment complications which can lead to the desks overflowing with paper and the work space resembling a warehouse. About 80% of persons with printing disorders who seek professional help recover completely or make significant progress. All in all, printing disorders are behaviour patterns that display very complex emotional conflicts, which need to be resolved for the person to have a healthy relationship with paper and documents.