Workaholism is a problem that affects an increasing number of people, for whom work is the center of life and the main point around which everything else revolves.
Workaholism is an addiction to work. Psychologists believe that a person who suffers from this addiction is often unaware that it is a real problem. Additionally, a person who works a lot is often viewed by others as resourceful and responsible.
Causes of Workaholism
The causes of workaholism are very diverse. It is rare to find a single main cause; usually, there are several different problems that manifest themselves through workaholism. Psychologists, however, maintain that this problem most commonly affects people who need a constant feeling of control and do not trust others. This addiction affects people who are particularly perfectionistic.
In today’s world, a successful person is someone who works hard, often beyond their abilities. Many people work hard, often at the expense of their families and their own health, in order to achieve success. This is how most of society views success, as a synonym for luxury and a professional career.
Workaholism often develops in people who have various types of compulsive disorders, neuroses, or emotional deficiencies. People who experienced poverty in childhood also often work excessively hard in adulthood to never return to such a material state.
Workaholism and Passion
People who dedicate all their energy to developing their passion should be aware that working beyond their limits is harmful to their mental and physical health. It is crucial to maintain a balance between passion and everyday life.
Workaholism: Symptoms
The initial symptoms of workaholism can be difficult to detect. After all, no one becomes a workaholic overnight. It is a process, usually a long one, during which the boundaries between work and life outside of work gradually start to blur.
A workaholic prolongs their working hours, takes work home, obsesses over whether they have done their job well, and constantly thinks about it. Such a person consciously sacrifices their personal life for work and is unable to stop thinking about whether everything is done as it should be.
Workaholism: How to deal with it?
A workaholic must realize that they have a problem. First and foremost, they must see the harm they are causing themselves through excessive work, such as neglecting their family and social life, and their health. Understanding the problem is the first step to success.
Taking a vacation can be a very good solution, as it helps to distance oneself and look at the problem from a different perspective. The employee will have to inevitably redirect their thoughts in a different direction.
Psychotherapy also provides very good results. A psychologist can help the workaholic find the reasons for this state. In addition, with the help of a psychologist, it is much easier to overcome problems.
Workaholism: How to help a workaholic?
Family members, friends, and partners can help a workaholic. Their support is very important and they must make the workaholic aware that they are causing harm to themselves and their loved ones.
Any form of help, even the smallest one, will be good. You can persuade the employee to go on a vacation together, involve them in a new hobby, such as physical activity, or in extreme cases, offer them therapy with a psychologist.