What’s So Bad About Being a Workaholic?

A common claim by applicants in interviews is, “I’m a workaholic.” While this might seem to suggest they are someone who loves to work, it can actually refer to a harmful social behavior that leads to compulsively putting work ahead of everything and everyone. True workaholics are not likely to admit this to others; like alcoholics, they are typically in denial of their addiction and the effect that is has on those around them.

"The system is almost built to reinforce workaholics," said Simon A. Rego, PsyD, associate director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, to WebMD. "Those are the people who end up getting positive job evaluations, get opportunities for promotion, and see themselves getting bonuses or raises. It's almost like the system has a built-in model to give them free hits of what they're addicted to."

It’s important to recognize when work becomes a crutch instead of a career. Edmund Neuhaus, PhD, director of the Behavioral Health Partial Hospital Program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., added, “If you're working to the exclusion of your family, your marriage, other relationships, and your life is out of balance, or your physical health is out of balance -- when work takes an exclusive priority to everything else, that's the more extreme end of the spectrum where it becomes a problem."

Workaholics Anonymous asks these questions of people who wonder if they are addicted to work-like activity to the point of missing out on the other things life has to offer:

1. Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else?
2. Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation?
3. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?
4. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?
5. Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?
6. Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work?
7. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well?
8. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order to do something else?
9. Have your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?
10. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep, or when others are talking?

Despite the fact that workaholics are hard workers it doesn’t always mean they are good employees. Techwell asserts that workaholics tend to be very controlling perfectionists who are poor team players that don’t like to (or can’t) delegate. They suffer from poor health, anxiety, low self-esteem, and intimacy problems. Despite the amount of effort they put in, workaholics are never satisfied with the projects they produce, leading them to constantly seek out the next opportunity to fuel their obsession.

Justin Blanton, who practices law in California's Silicon Valley explained to WebMD, "Whether I'm reading a Harry Potter book on my PDA while waiting in the deli line, checking email on my phone as soon as my date makes for the ladies room, or heading back to my computer each commercial break (no TiVo… yet) -- I'm always checking something." Like many workaholics, Blanton can’t find peace within himself and seeks the external stimuli of work and perceived productivity to fill the void. "It's gotten worse in the sense that it hasn't let up at all, and I feel more compelled to be busy."

It’s not an easy habit to break. While the steps to recovery are similar to those of an alcoholic, the perception is not. Most people consider workaholics hard workers instead of people with a problem. Lacking the social stigma attached with drug and alcohol dependence, people are remiss to dismiss the disorder as harmless. It is in fact a very serious situation that many people struggle with daily. Treatment should be sought for anyone suffering whether it’s through a therapist or a support group before their destructive behavior gets out of hand.

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