Workaholism 14-12-2020
By: Lic. Glennys De La Cruz Guerrero. | Clinical Psychotherapist
Work addiction is included in behavioral addictions, they are addictions without substance as in the case of sex, sport or new technologies. It is defined as a psychosocial type of work injury characterized by excessive work, mainly due to an irresistible need or urge to work constantly.
A workaholic is the person who makes work the central point of their life, to the point of not devoting any attention to other activities and an important indicator is that this person has the inability to break with the compulsion to work, they feel driven to work more by internal pressures than by the enjoyment at work.
They gradually lose their emotional stability, they lean towards control and power, they are also unable to regulate their work habits and end up excluding other forms of activities and personal interests, dragging as negative consequences a significant damage in their relationships, family, social and/or leisure, they do not rest and perform less, make mistakes or are overloaded with work that is not theirs to do.
Some authors suggest that individuals work hard because of an internal urge or need and not because of external factors such as economic rewards, career prospects, or organizational culture. They are moved by an internal stimulus that they cannot resist (compulsion)
Characteristics of the workaholic
- Job performance is turned into an obsession and can occupy a large part of the person's life
- Excessive dedication of their time and effort
- A compulsive and involuntary disorder to continue working
- General disinterest in any activity (leisure, sports, family, friendships, etc.) other than strictly work-related
The person who is facing this addiction, gets to normalize it because it is reinforced in a positive way by the promotions or praises that they receive in the company or by colleagues, but on the long run their life revolves around the work, they begin not to enjoy it and to feel guilty for not doing it.
If you identify that you meet these characteristics and are already suffering the negative impact on your life of this addictive behavior, the way out should be through professional help able to work on these issues.