Are You Addicted to Work?

Addiction is associated more with drugs and alcohol, not with work - how could this make you sick ?! For us, work addiction seems like a Western fad, adopted by movies with "workaholic" characters, meaning work addicts. You will see that this is not the case.

Work addiction is probably the only one accepted by society because it is not so obvious and we find it hard to believe that it could harm anyone. A person who works hard should not be confused with a workaholic.

People who are passionate about what they do and work hard to achieve their goals are not necessarily addicted to work. Likewise, a person who occasionally stays overtime cannot be called addicted. To know exactly where you stand, answer the following questions honestly.

How to recognize a workaholic

• He thinks about work all the time and finds it difficult to separate work from leisure. Even this free time is planned in the smallest details so that there is little left for relaxation and recreation. He often takes work on weekends and holidays.
• It is impossible for him to live without the pleasure of work. When a project ends or something happens in the family that requires absence from work, the addicted person feels depressed or may even panic.
• He takes on more and more difficult tasks because he is never satisfied with what he has achieved. Typical for her are speed, intensity, and zeal.
• She is often unable to refuse new tasks and may feel guilty about what was not done or not done at an optimal level.
• It is involved in precise activities, such as organization and administration, rather than in interpersonal relationships, where boundaries and goals are less precise.
• It focuses more on logic and intellect, rather than feelings. It focuses on performance even when it comes to family, setting high standards and not tolerating weaknesses.
• Workaholics are generally aggressive and action-oriented, preferring to work alone, not in a team.
• Last but not least, he rejects the idea of ​​fatigue or exhaustion.

Why get here

A low level of self-esteem is due to failure in other areas of life. Addicts view the profession as the only way to accomplish it.

Avoiding the life problems he faces personally. Thus, the pleasure of "devouring" the office full of papers can be a way of switching attention from other issues. Most of the time, workaholics have communication difficulties or have problems in their intimate life.

Lack of power and control. Workaholics are not only satisfied with material promotions and rewards but have a vital need to have power and control over others.

Health consequences

As in the case of alcoholism or drugs, the workaholic will deny his addiction, especially in the early stages. Three stages of this dependence have been identified.

1. The initial stage - the addict is always busy. He thinks about work all the time and refuses to take days off.

2. The middle stage - begins to give up personal relationships, until his social life is almost non-existent. He feels physically exhausted and has sleep disorders. Short-term memory loss and periods of comatose (glare) may occur.

3. Final stage - headache, back pain, high blood pressure, ulcer and depression, and in severe cases, stroke or heart attack.

How it affects family members

People addicted to work feel too tired, physically and mentally, to get close to family members. Those who still feel the need for closeness tend to consider their colleagues as friends and will become sexually attracted to them.

Children with dependent parents are more depressed and tend to mature earlier - they behave like responsible adults, instead of absent parents.

Women with dependent work spouses feel a stronger alienation from them, feel less in control of their marriage, and have a higher divorce rate than women whose husbands work normally.

What can you do

• For starters, stop working on weekends. If this has become a habit, work only on Saturdays and keep Sundays free.
• Refuse to feel guilty when you don't work.
• Go back to the 40 - hour workweek. If the situation at work overwhelms you, you should delegate responsibilities.
• Watch your physical changes closely. Do you have migraines, back pain, or ulcers? Do you have appetite and sleep disorders? Do you have high blood pressure? All of these symptoms may be related to stress and overwork.
• Make time every day for something other than work: help your child with lessons, go for a walk, etc.
• Find hobbies that have nothing to do with your work and try to practice them, even if they don't turn out perfectly.
• Move. A series of 30-minute exercises, three to five times a week, keep you in shape.
• Be careful what you eat. Too much sugar and caffeine prevent you from resting when you finally decide to leave work.
• Consult a psychologist. If you have noticed that you are not interested in anything other than work, go to a psychologist.