As any human resource executive can tell you, frustration and office temper tantrums by employees are not unusual. But two new studies indicate that incivilities in the workplace appear to be increasing.

Termed "desk rage," by one survey, it includes arguments between employees, pen throwing managers and workers kicking expensive computer equipment in fits of aggravation.

In a telephone survey commissioned by Integra Realty Resources, Inc., nearly one-third of 1,305 workers who responded admitted to yelling at someone in the office, and 65% said workplace stress is at least occasionally a problem for them. Work stress had driven 23% of the respondents to tears, and 34% blamed their jobs for a loss of sleep.

Driving through my local Starbucks yesterday, I happened on a caffeinated rage between two drivers. Apparently, a female driver had turned in front of another car "skipping" him in line. The man in this car, a regular customer. immediately became irate and yelled obscenities and vulgarities out his window at the woman. This rant was picked up by the drive-thru microphone and broadcasted clearly both inside Starbucks and to the outside seating. The woman who had done the skipping quickly jumped into the fracas with her own string of foul language and obscene gestures.

Sigh. Now, I'm just trying to get a cup of coffee. I like my peaceful mornings. Is there really that much time difference if one car goes ahead of you? Does such an offense really require this much energy and emotion? It got me to thinking that maybe this is part of the fall-out from a sagging economy and growing anxiety. It is Economic Anxiety Disorder.

People are anxious: about money, portfolios, jobs, and mortgages. They are watching their hopes of an early retirement vanish along with the equity in their homes and their health care benefits. Our culture has morphed from one of pride to one of anxiety and blame. We have gotten crispy and cranky, ready to explode with the smallest frustration.

A psychologist at Colorado State University recently published a study on nature.com (subscription required) which found a link between the amount of modification or personalization of cars and a person's tendency for road rage! William Szlemko the author of the study believes that the increased road rage and aggressive driving which accompanies seat covers, bumper stickers, radios and bobble head dolls is linked to the fact that these individuals believe they are in a private and a public space at the same time, leading to innapropriate behavior.

Now that the study has been published it is only a matter of time until the insurance companies start asking for detailed pictures of your car to determine your rate for the year. This will inevitably lead to a boom in the photoshoping market as cash strapped mobile billboard owners will try to wipe clean their beloved vehicles of any kind of personality. I'm just glad the study didn't link aggressive driving to a DNA sequence; the last thing I want is to have to submit to DNA testing to get insurance!

Interestingly enough the content of the bumper stickers or modifications did not have an effect on the driver's proclivity to road rage. Which means this applies to all the soccer moms out their with 3 honor student stickers and 7 different sports activities cluttering up the back window of their minivan. I'm watching and I'll be sure to avoid your wrath! Then again maybe you should watch out for my cavalier with 1 window cling and aftermarket stereo!