Workaholism has nothing to do with a sincere love for your work. This addiction is the same as alcoholism or gambling. The difference is that society encourages workaholism.
You can often see the phrase “We are looking for workaholics” in job descriptions. The image of a person who cannot live without work, checks every little thing, and does everything ahead of schedule can seem attractive. But in reality, behind this facade is low productivity, the risk of burnout, and even mental disorders.
“Come Early, Leave Late”: Signs of Workaholism
Workaholism is an addiction. It is more socially acceptable than alcoholism or gambling addiction, but that doesn’t stop it from being a disorder. A person who suffers from workaholism constantly feels the need to be busy. With high achievements, this society has nothing: it is workaholics who most often work for years in junior and middle positions.
A workaholic does not require a result, but rather continuous employment with work.
If you often hear from others that you work a lot, check yourself on the workaholism checklist:
- You work more than you need: you regularly stay late at the office, take work home, work nights and weekends, and take on more tasks than your colleagues.
- You plan your time in such a way that you devote as much time as possible to work.
- Work helps you cope with negative emotions: guilt, shame, anger, and anxiety.
- You feel bad if you cannot work, for example, on vacation without the Internet.
- Overworking negatively affects your health: you eat irregularly and poorly, sleep little, your back hurts, your eyesight drops, and your weight “jumps.”
- Relatives complain that because of work, you do not have time and energy for them.
This is an alarm signal if you have discovered at least three points in yourself.It’s not just that people who suffer from workaholism are less efficient. This disorder is associated with other emotional and mental problems.
Why Is Workaholism Dangerous?
In 2016, scientists published a study on the relationship between workaholism and some mental disorders. The connection turned out to be significant. Of all subjects diagnosed with workaholism:
- 34 percent suffered from anxiety
- 33% from ADHD
- 24% from OCD
- 9% from depression
It is impossible to say for sure which came first, workaholism or these disorders. But it can be assumed that a person seeks to go to work so as not to face disturbing thoughts, feelings of guilt, and his own worthlessness. The result of the work fades into the background.
Constant overwork can lead to problems with sleep, memory, and decision-making, as well as reduced mood. These factors can trigger depression.
“I Love My Job” This Is Dangerous
Perhaps some of you are now thinking, “But work really helps me take my mind off the negativity.” I do it with pleasure, and sometimes I get carried away. Is it workaholism? There is a significant difference between workaholism and loving work. Compare:
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Workaholism: |
Love for work: |
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In the love of work, the focus is on the benefits and pleasure of the activity; in workaholism, it is on avoiding negative feelings and being busy.
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How to Deal With Workaholism
As we have already written, workaholism is an addiction. Unfortunately, dealing with addiction is not easy. It is not enough to simply build a work-life balance and reduce work hours; this will not help solve the emotional problems that lie behind the disorder.
Mastering the Art of Work-Life Balance: A Comprehensive Guide
Workaholism does not always require the same serious treatment as addiction to alcohol or drugs. However, without psychotherapy, it is very difficult to overcome this disorder. There is a risk that, without being constantly busy with work, the workaholic will “switch” to another object that will help him cope with distress—for example, to the same alcohol. Psychotherapy is needed to develop healthier behavioral strategies and learn to deal with negativity without health risks.
