I had a serious mishap with a good friend of mine today. They have not been coming through with things they said they would do. After becoming extremely frustrated with them, I asked them if it’s because of the money that causes them to run around working all the time. Surprisingly, they said “no, it’s more to it than that, it’s about other things”. What?
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| Are you a workaholic? |
My friend is an extreme workaholic and I’m concerned about them. Being the research person that I am, I decided to look up some information on this “condition” and see if I could help my friend out in anyway. One symptom I already know about Workaholics is they’re hard-headed!
What triggers Workaholism? Are you a Workaholic? Gain some insight on this serious condition and take a quiz to find out where you stand.
What defines a Workaholic?
Although it’s not an official medical diagnosis, workaholism is a serious disorder that can have adverse effects on a person’s health. They’re officially defined as people who work compulsively and excessively. This can include activities within they’re full time jobs and other jobs outside of regular work. Being a Workaholic is also defined as having a personality disorder characterized by preoccupation with work, perfectionism, and obsessive compulsiveness. They may have two or three jobs on the side because of their addiction to “working”.
Workaholic symptoms:
Besides working ridiculous hours all the time, their health starts to catch up with them after a while, particularly because of the mental strain they put upon themselves. The most common symptoms are sleep problems, digestion issues, and being forgetful. In extreme cases, these health problems can develop:
- Increased risk of ulcers
- Buildup of plaque in blood vessels
- Weight gain
In their minds, not working is seen as something that will be costly to them, so they keep working to avoid consequences. Even if they are financially stable, their desire to work just increases more and more until it becomes and obsessive habit which can lead to serious health problems. For years, it was predicted there was a significant link with being a Workaholic and developing health issues. Now, there is research to back up this claim. Studies show that well-being is no where near a Workaholic’s priorities. They’re very aware of what they’re doing but they don’t do anything to change it.
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| Even though workaholics work around the clock, they’re still unproductive. So what’s the point??? |
Affect on relationships.
The relationships on the job may not be so bad, but it’s the relationships at home that suffer. Spouses of Workaholics often express feelings of abandonment and neglect. Many marriages have been destroyed because of this disorder. Children also show signs of having a Workaholic as a parent. They show signs of depression along with the capability to take care of themselves as if they were adults.
You don’t need to have a job to be a Workaholic.
If you’re involved in volunteer activities or even work around the home, working can be just as addictive for you and bring the same type of problems as regular Workaholics.
How to deal with/manage a Workaholic
Personal – If they’re a friend or someone you’re married too, this can be a very difficult task. He or she may not have always been that way, so it can be difficult to adjust. Of course, talk with them about it and let them know how you feel and how you think their habit is affecting the relationship. Give them an opportunity to assess themselves and prioritize what is important to them. This is easier said than done as it could lead to changes in the relationship and even end it. But you’ll be surprised at how some Workaholics don’t realize the damage their habit is causing. Teach them about balancing out their tasks and personal life – you could actually be giving them insight they didn’t have before.
Professional – Studies show that when there is a good supporting work environment, access to resources, and an opportunity to rest, there are less symptoms of workaholism and the person has a better perception of their job and mission. They also have a higher sense of fulfillment and have less tension with their co-workers.
Are you guilty?
Head on over to HealthyPlace, America’s Mental Health Channel website and take their Workaholic quiz. I would love to know how you fared. Feel free to leave a comment on your score!