What does your workaholism say about you?
Burnout and stress are everywhere. Is workaholism partly to blame?
It’s admirable to work hard, but when does being consumed by work become an issue? Workaholism is not synonymous with work engagement. Most workaholics are completely unaware they have a psychological problem. Workaholism is a serious addiction that can impact relationships and lead to burnout and chronic health conditions.
So, what defines workaholism? How do you know if you are addicted to work or just engaged and enjoying your job? If you are a true workaholic, what does it say about you?
What is workaholism?
‘Workaholism’, a term first coined by psychologist Wayne Oates in 1971, describes “an uncontrollable need to work.” Oates recognized that for some people work becomes addictive, much in the same way that alcoholics become addicted to booze.
People who are workaholics are driven by a compulsion to work, no matter what the consequences on their health, family, or relationships.
Are you engaged at work or a workaholic?
Just because you work long hours, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are a workaholic. So, how do you know if your work ethic is an addiction? Psychologists, Giovanni Di Stefano and Maria Gaudiino studied the differences between workaholism and work engagement. They concluded:
“Workaholism is an addiction to work, characterized by obsessive attitude towards one’s job, whereas work engagement concerns a positive pattern of thoughts and feelings about one’s job; these two constructs thus represent pathological and healthy forms of heavy work investment, respectively.”
A key differentiator is being able to enjoy space away from work. Generally, those who can enjoy hobbies and have a social life, as well as work hard, aren’t driven by the same inner compulsion that defines workaholism.
Somebody who works long hours because they love their job isn’t necessarily a workaholic. It’s more likely they are engaged in their work. There are key differences in motivation between engagement and workaholism.
The personality traits of workaholics
To understand the mind of a workaholic, it is useful to consider what happens when a work addict can’t get their fix. When a workaholic can’t work, they feel a deep sense of pressure, distress, and guilt. As with any addiction, an uncomfortable internal feeling drives this compulsion.
Psychological traits play a crucial role. Workaholism is commonly driven by trauma and trying to address specific unmet needs. Perfectionism, narcissism, obsessive personality, neuroticism, and/or low self-esteem are often behind a slavish devotion to work.
A study investigating the relationship between obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and workaholism found that individuals with obstinacy and superego traits were more likely to engage in non-required work activities.
While workaholism isn’t always justified by money or organizational demands, many workaholics are obsessed with achieving success and building wealth. By nature, it means that workaholism is particularly prevalent among CEOs, entrepreneurs, and high-ranking senior executives.
CEOs have unique personality profiles, and many studies show leaders to be disproportionately narcissistic. Of course, not all high achievers are narcissists or addicts, but when the drive to achieve comes from the place of filling a void in self-worth, or to avoid emotional pain, then the individual is most likely trapped in the dopamine-pleasure-seeking pathway that defines an addictive personality.
The link with narcissism is easy to explain. People with high narcissistic tendencies will do everything they can to satisfy their need for success, power, and admiration. These are the true needs that lay behind a narcissist’s investment in work. Narcissists need to control and manipulate people, so will strive to reach this position at any cost.
Yet, underneath this type of workaholic lies fragility and poor self-acceptance, which often stems from trauma as a child. Guilt, anxiety, anger, and disappointment are common emotions experienced by workaholics.
A workaholic’s brain
Research shows that workaholics have distinct neurological and psychiatric profiles, like those addicted to narcotics. Workaholism is a trauma response.
Just like any other addiction, workaholism alters the chemical and physiological nature of the brain, and much like alcoholism, workaholics have adrenaline highs and lows.
Tell-tale signs you’re a workaholic
If you constantly think about ways to free up more time to work, and frequently cancel engagements with family and friends because of work, then there’s a good chance you have a work addiction. If you also miss important life events because of your work, such as your child’s debut performance or graduation, then alarm bells should be ringing.
The most common tell-tale signs you may have a work addiction are:
You work long hours
You take calls and check emails outside of work
You have difficulty ‘switching off’
You don’t take vacations
You often experience a sense of disappointment – for every milestone reached, the accomplishment is never enough
You feel anxious most of the time and especially when you are not at work or not doing work
You are always on the go
You use work to numb painful feelings
You use work to feel in control
You get irritable when asked to do things that aren’t related to work
The health implications of workaholism
Workaholism is a recipe for burnout. Like any addict, a workaholic doesn’t heed warning signs to take a break or stop. Keeping a lid on feelings and working long hours to fill an emotional void will eventually have some impact on health.
This can include insomnia, heart disease, headaches, digestive problems, ulcers, fatigue, allergies, and dizziness, as well as anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, boredom, hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating and hypervigilance.
Getting help
Workaholism is one of society’s few accepted addictions, and in many cases is viewed as a positive thing. But, just like any addiction, unaddressed, it will eventually take its toll.
Understanding what is driving your workaholism is at the root of recovery. The Place Retreats offers a transformational experience to discover the issues and behaviours that are affecting your life.
Throughout your stay, you will be guided and nurtured by renowned and highly esteemed practitioners of psychotherapy, meditation, yoga, and bodywork, to recover from negative blocks or past traumas. Together we unleash the power to change the destructive, exhausting patterns of thinking, behaviour, and their effects.
Founder and principal psychiatrist at The Place, Jean-Claude Chalmet, has a deep understanding of CEO behaviors and workaholism. Jean-Claude began his career in London as an oil broker in the 80’s before setting up his own independent oil broking company by the age of 25. His company was very quickly acquired by Salomon Brothers.
Jean-Claude went on to join a philanthropic foundation from 1993 with various interests in telecommunications, space, and water transportation across the globe. He experienced his own journey with workaholism before pursuing his love of understanding the human mind and graduating as a psychotherapist in 2003.
If you are seeking the right person to help you with work addiction, you couldn’t be in more experienced hands.
Contact us now for a discreet preliminary chat.
