Workaholism (part of perfectionism)

Introduction

People who are driven to work excessively and compulsively are known as work addicts or workaholics.

"...Chronic overwork can be an addiction similar to alcoholism which creates a disturbance or interference with bodily health, personal happiness, and interpersonal relations..."

Wayne Oates as quoted by Jennifer Romolini, 2024

People with this mental health condition are unable to stop putting in unnecessarily long hours working or obsessing over their work performance.

If your packed work schedule is having a negative impact on your family, exercise, healthy eating, social life, hobbies, etc then you need to reconsider your attitude to work.

Work addiction is most common in women and people who describe themselves as perfectionists. 

"...Women tend to suffer considerably higher levels of work-related stress, anxiety, and depression than men, with workplace sexism and familial responsibilities providing additional career pressure..."

Tony Tan as quoted by Sara Lindberg, 2019

Women can face additional work pressure and feel as though they:

"...- have to work twice as hard and long to prove there is good as their male colleagues

    - aren't valued (or aren't being promoted)

    - face unequal pay

    - lack managerial support

    - are expected to balance work and family life

    - need to do everything 'right'

Dealing with these added pressures often leaves women feeling completely drained..."

Sara Lindberg, 2019

Furthermore, women are more susceptible to becoming workaholics as they feel they have to prove their worthiness in the workplace compared with men.

(for more detail, see elsewhere in Knowledge Base)

With globalisation and new technologies, boundaries between work and private life have blurred; there has been an increase in work addiction. It is associated with insomnia, health problems, burnout, stress, inter-family conflicts, etc.

The dimensions of overwork:

- compulsive tendencies

- control freaks

- impaired communications

- self-absorption focus

- inability to delegate

- self-worth challenges

- self-blame tendencies, etc.

Workaholics find anything outside work like love, family, friendship, etc hard to handle.

The challenge is to change their mindset from 'proving yourself' to 'understanding yourself'; set boundaries at work.

"...Need to learn to right size your relationship with your career, work manageable jobs to allow you to live a balanced life, invest in the community and enjoy your family and friends..."

Jennifer Romolini, 2024

If you can do this, you will build a connected and contented life outside work.