Many people relate to or classify themselves as workaholics in their personal life. A workaholic is sometimes seen as a general term to describe people who work so much that they don’t seem to have time for anything else but work.
Though workaholism it is not a medical or psychiatric diagnosis, we can all understand the behaviour of “all work and no play” that eventually spirals into a work-life conflict. Too much work non-stop that begins negatively affecting your life, and causing trouble across work and home life, could be a sign of working too much with little or no control.
Wayne E. Oates coined the term “workaholic” during the early 1970s. Oates said that workaholism is defined as “a person whose need for work has become so excessive that it has created noticeable disturbance or interference with bodily health, personal happiness, and interpersonal relationships and with smooth social functioning….”
That said, a person that works to the point of an obsession may need intervention for the well-being of the person and their relationships with family.
Research on workaholism has been evident throughout the years. It can easily manifest in a Burnout Syndrome. Workaholism affects people from all walks of life. There are two main types according to research, which include the following:
There is very little room for the achievement-orientated type to make any errors since results drive them. The faster they can produce and achieve the results they need for the project, the more this will make them happy, and they will soon be able to show off their achievements.
Perfectionists are usually proud of their “title.” Often preferring this entitled sense of control as it gives them a sense of thorough work and perfect outcomes in every undertaking.
Still, perfectionists often overwork themselves on things already good to go but spend time trying to rework and “perfect” them even more. The perfectionist workaholic tries as much as possible to control the outcomes and often micromanages everything.
Death from overworking is prevalent in Japan, and the phenomenon is called “karoshi” and is an important public health issue. While the Japanese are known for this tragedy, other parts of the world also experience the same struggle with work addiction. The consequences can be serious, and it can be addressed through the approach of professional intervention both mentally and physically.
Increase in blood pressure
Irregular heartbeat
Tired gaze
Consistent headaches
Tension, including cervical neck and shoulder pain
Burnout (physical and mental fatigue)
Premature death in some workaholics
Mood changes and changes in personality traits
Reduced job satisfaction (for some individuals)
Increased anxiety
Personal problems in the home
Depression
Workaholism is prevalent in many people, whether they hold significant careers or seem to have a less important job. Overworking despite feeling tired and on the verge of job burnout indicates workaholism. It is much more than just a bad day at the office.
According to the Work Addiction Risk Test (WART), work addiction is measured as low, passive, active, and high strain. These levels are the measurements determining work addiction of which findings concluded the following:
Low strain 2.6% of workers at risk of work addiction
Passive 15.0% of workers risk work addiction
At Active, 28.9% of workers were at risk of work addiction
The high strain came in at 33.3% of workers at risk of work addiction
Some distinct signs of overworking include withdrawal, mood changes, conflict, and relapse
It’s easy sometimes to confuse workaholism with simply working more often during certain times of the year or according to the demand.
People who work more and are not addicted to work stop thinking about work once they have finished their daily job. Workaholics don’t control their work mindset even when they’re not at work; their minds and emotions are constantly about work.
Intense fear of failing in your career.
Constantly seeking work success and validation.
Avoiding personal relationships for the sake of work.
Sleep habits change, like sleeping less to fill work demands (even when it isn’t necessary).
Refusing to take a holiday or a break from work.
Using work as a means of escape from personal problems.
Working to prevent dealing with grief, terminal illness, financial concerns, or another crisis.
Highly paranoid about performance within the workplace.
Missing family experiences and memories for the sake of work.
Another trait of work addicts is that they may write off another person’s ability to do the job so they can do it themselves. The workaholic feels it necessary to dominate the workplace in all factors, even when it means having no time to eat, sleep or take a day off.
Working extended hours is something the work addict will volunteer to do because it prevents them from facing troubles at home or in their relationship, and then leading to disruption in family life. They lose interest.
Chronic workaholics are often in denial about their personal issues and use work and overworking to escape. It might not be the same as using a substance or being addicted to alcohol, but workaholism is a condition that affects many people, and most therapists will have come across such people.
According to the Work Addiction Risk Test, workers with psychological conditions were more prone to become work addicts. Those with depression were at higher risk of developing workaholism disease compared to those with lower rates of depression or with no presence of this mental condition.
In some people with workaholism, their cognitive function is impacted, and they cannot seem to shut down from work-related things. They are seldom able to think about everyday things as this always comes back to a work-related subject.
Some folks battling workaholism are susceptible to many things, including guilt and stress when they don’t engage in work activity.
While this might sound strange to regular working people, to the workaholic, it is a challenging aspect and emotion to process. So, they stay busy working to avoid feeling guilty.
For the motivational types of workaholics, it seems they love their job and enjoy every moment of it.
The philosophy for motivational workaholism is “find a job that you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life again”. The saying draws on the fact that overworking involves work that the individual enjoys but at the cost of overworking.
People who are addicted to work may not admit that they need help. Sometimes workaholics experience burnout as their rock bottom to put a pause on work and develop a healthy work-life balance.
Family support for the workaholic is important, as is support for the family members who may be paying the price for this overbearing focus on work, and lack of attention to family life. As a family member of a loved one addicted to work, you worry about their well-being as they don’t stop for a moment to even take a breath. It is heartbreaking to watch them hurt themselves for the sake of not dealing with other underlying and deeper issues.
Families and friends need to consider that their loved one may be dealing with a difficult situation and doesn’t know how to cope apart from burying themselves in work and avoiding any social support. Encourage your loved one to share their feelings and what may be bothering them. Family therapy is also beneficial.
If they don’t talk to you, then offer professional help. Emotional support is essential for mental health problems and wellness during this time. Perhaps offer to accompany them to a first appointment with a therapist.
Seeking help for work addiction is not something to be mocked or frowned upon because getting help could save you or your loved one from serious health concerns at a later stage.
The Kusnacht Practice is in the serene surroundings of Zürich, Switzerland. It enjoys beautiful scenic views and clean air that promote healing from the inside out.
Your stay in the upmarket luxury villas is comfortable, private, and relaxing. Exclusive hospitality and services include but are not limited to a private butler, personal chauffeur, family visits, live-in counsellors, and luxury concierge service.
You know you're in good hands with a team of highly qualified and experienced professionals to tend to all your needs emotionally, psychologically, medically, and spiritually. The Kusnacht Practice strives to help patients heal and make positive change from the inside out and return to their regular lives refreshed, restored, and whole.
No addiction is too great or too minor that the medical, psychotherapy and mental health teams cannot manage. Treatment is tailored to every person’s unique needs and condition. Every effort is made to to understand how a client's past or history contribute to the issues faced in the here and now.
A work addiction might have traits similar to other conditions such drug or alcohol addiction because psychologically, addicts need substances to “be normal” or “live” in their personal lives.
Addiction, even work addiction, can be damaging. Work addicts will encounter problems of the same type and cannot go through life without dedicating all their well-being and energy to their work.
Are you or someone you know struggling with overworking? Get in touch with the team at The Kusnacht Practice for a consultation. We have supported many clients who have struggled with work addiction. Let's start your road to healing with a unique treatment plan.
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