If your thoughts are busy day and night with work matters, if there is no time for a family and you have forgotten what your hobby is, then you are addicted. Job dependent. How to recognize the signs of workaholism in time without harming yourself and loved ones?
Like all other «-isms», the very word «workaholism» implies addiction. Otherwise, we would use definitions such as «hard work», «commitment» or «motivation». What exactly is the difference between workaholism and the ability to do your job well and efficiently?
“Workaholism is characterized primarily by an emotional state,” explains clinical psychologist Vladislav Chubarov. “If you start to “sausage” from stopping work — you get angry, anxious, sleep badly and throw yourself at people, then these are clear signs of an abstinence syndrome, or, more simply, withdrawal, which happens with any form of addiction.”
Realizing the entire psycho-emotional sphere in work, workaholics, due to constant tension, fear of making a mistake and total hypercontrol, suffer themselves and often make others suffer. They take out their irritation, aggression and anxiety on subordinates or colleagues.
“The main criterion by which you can say whether you are a workaholic or not is the ability to switch to your personal life, to be fulfilled, happy and calm in other areas,” continues Vladislav Chubarov. — If you are socially adapted, then there are no problems. If you start to get angry, worry and worry with any absence from work, then you have workaholism.
Often workaholism is associated with our desire to satisfy psychological needs. For example, in competition
“Workaholics can devote a lot of time and effort to work, trying to feel confident, feel at their best – especially if they do not feel successful in other areas of life,” says psychologist Mikhail Tegin. “However, there may be other, deeper reasons for this phenomenon. So, for example, from time to time, workaholics may use work as a way to alleviate or completely ignore their emotional problems and traumas.
What are the first signs, sure signs that we are turning into workaholics?
We lose the ability to let go. The working day is over, and you are worried about work, at home you are only able to discuss it and respond to all work notifications in e-mail? That’s exactly it.
Although workaholism is considered a socially acceptable form of addiction, workaholics are often criticized and condemned. According to Vladislav Chubarov, this often comes from envy: workaholism is not just a socially acceptable, but also a socially desirable form of addiction. “Some of us may be happy not to drink, not to gamble and not to use social networks, but we cannot,” says the clinical psychologist. — The workaholic, though indirectly, but with all his appearance broadcasts that we have a hardy, disciplined and motivated perfectionist. And this, as in a mirror, reflects to people their insolvency, weakness, laziness, as well as other vices and addictions. The colleague is supported by Mikhail Tegin, confirming that in general
workaholics are more conscious and more interested in communicating with the outside world than others
However, the medal also has a downside. Do not forget that happiness and health often do not depend on the height that we have reached, climbing the career ladder.
“All spheres of human life must be in balance,” Vladislav Chubarov is sure. As a rule, personal life or health suffers with workaholism. Work is just one of the vectors of personality development: really important, but far from the most important. Therefore, if you notice signs of workaholism in yourself, take care of yourself — your health, psycho-emotional sphere. Spend more time with family and loved ones. Remember what you love to do. Think of a hobby. Such a balance is much more important than the implementation in only one of the areas of life.