Are you a workaholic? How to tell if you're addicted to your job and what to do about it

It might happen imperceptibly. At first, you struggle to talk about anything other than work. Then your loved ones start complaining you work too much. Then you realise you feel anxious when you’re not working.

You might think of it as having a good work ethic or being committed to your job. Being a “workaholic” is often seen as a sign of dedication and ambition. But when you start setting everything else aside in favour of work, and your relationships start to suffer, it could be because you’re addicted to work.

Work pressure has increased drama­tically since the 1970s, says Rean Steenkamp, a Pretoria life coach. “Employees are working faster and harder than was the case in the past.”

Working long hours may result in you spending less time with your family. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

But there’s a difference between being engaged with your work, and being addicted to it. Engagement comes from the fact that you’re motivated and enjoy your work, whereas if you’re addicted to it it’s due to an inner compulsion driven by an underlying psychological need.

Finding the right work-life balance may have become even more difficult over the past two years for those who’ve found themselves working from home due to the pandemic.

It’s become easier to fall into a cycle of working too much, says Reinette Engelbrecht, a psychologist from Roodepoort, on Gauteng’s West Rand.

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Here’s how to tell if you’re a workaholic and what you can do about it if you are.

SIGNS YOU’RE ADDICTED TO WORK

“Anything can be considered an addiction when it takes up too much of your time and attention and makes you neglect other things,” Engelbrecht explains.

The following can be signs of work addiction, she says:

•  You struggle to talk about anything other than work.

• Your boss and colleagues can always reach you.

• Your working hours or workload leads to conflict with your partner, children or family.

• You spend less and less quality time with your partner, kids and family.

• When you’re not working you feel anxious and experience withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and impatience.

• You work long hours but often deny it or try to hide it.

• When your loved ones confront you about your work habits, you become angry or defensive.

• Social interaction has become less important to you and you increasingly come up with excuses not to attend social events.

• Reading your work email is the first thing you do every morning or the last thing you do at night (or both).

• You feel you have too much work to take leave.

• You need medication to help you deal with anxiety, insomnia or lack of energy.

IS WORK ADDICTION A PROBLEM?

The short answer is it’s not good for your health. Nearly one in 10 people work too many hours a week, according to a new study by the World Health Organization (WHO). The same study found that people who work more than 55 hours a week have an increased risk of stroke and heart disease and their life expectancy is notably shorter.

But it’s not only your physical health that suffers – your mental health and relationships are common casualties of work addiction, Engel­brecht says.

“In my practice, I often see how work addiction and work pressure lead to burnout, anxiety and depression,” she says. “Eventually people have to take medication to deal with it. Some are even admitted to clinics.

A workaholic’s loved ones also pay a price. “It’s simply not sustainable,” Engelbrecht says. “I often see parents realise almost too late that they don’t know their child, or they don’t notice their child is suffering or hiding something.”

Workaholics may end up neglecting their loved ones. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

And when your spouse or partner feels you’re neglecting them and the household, conflict arises and can cause serious problems in the relationship.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE A WORKAHOLIC

• Acknowledge it and take responsi­bility for it. Just as with any addiction, this is the first and crucial step, Engelbrecht says.

• Do some introspection. Think about what’s really important to you, Engel­brecht says. “Is it the work itself, the product of the work or the lifestyle it affords you? How much do you value your family and your health? Does the time you’re putting into work have an ultimate goal or are you simply doing it because it’s become a habit? Are you trying to impress others and if so, why?”

• Schedule time for other things. Be intentional about setting aside time in your day for things that aren’t related to work, Steenkamp says. “Ensure you take time to rest, do things you like and spend time with friends and family.”

• Make small, practical changes, such as not getting your work email on your phone.

• Assess your workload. Workaholics often struggle to maintain the boundary between their professional and private lives. To correct this, you may need your employer’s help. If your workload is overwhelming, talk to your manager about it and come up with practical suggestions about how to alleviate it.

• Get professional help if you need it. If you’re struggling to implement the above and create a better work-life balance, there may be underlying psychological causes that are best addressed with a professional. Sometimes workaholism is due to internal dynamics that aren’t healthy, such as being a chronic people pleaser or having an unhealthy need for control.

Consider seeing a therapist, psychologist or life coach who can help you figure out what’s driving your work addiction and what to do about it.

EXTRA SOURCES: JOURNALS.PLOS.ORG, CLOCKIFY.ME, AA.ORG, SCIENCEDIRECT.COM