Workaholic syndrome – do you suffer from the ‘all work and no play’ addiction?

If you have read the Bible, then you would know even God rested on the seventh day. But for workaholics, the day of rest is far from reality. There is always one more email to be sent, one more voice

By: Mansi Kohli | | Updated: June 9, 2014 2:42 pm

If you have read the Bible, then you would know even God rested on the seventh day. But for workaholics, the day of rest is far from reality. There is always one more email to be sent, one more voice mail to be answered, one more trip to be made on Sunday. If you are also alien to terms like weekends, family and holidays, then you might be suffering from the workaholic syndrome. Also Read - Mental illnesses on the rise in India: Know why and what you can do to fight the problem

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But, if also you think that long work hours, 24×7 availability via gadgets, greed to achieve more and more and no break are a part and parcel of life of a successful worker, then we urge you to rethink. You could be living in denial, or from the fear of reality. Denying the fact that you suffer from workaholic syndrome, is how this condition tends to seep in further. Most people who suffer from workaholic syndrome deny it, thinking it is normal and expected of them. Dependent on others to affirm their self-worth, workaholics often tend to suffer from a crisis of confidence.
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Today, with expert inputs from Delhi-based Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Psychoanalytical Therapist at Imago-Centre for Self, Dr Pulkit Sharma, we take a peek into workaholic syndrome – a condition, which is manifested by underlying strenuous emotional and psychological issues.

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Common signs and symptoms of workaholic syndrome are:

a) Neglect of personal life, relationships, leisure and sleep

b) Difficulty in relaxing

c) Feelings of sadness and anxiety when not working

d) A sense of huge relief when resuming work

e) When away from work, a sense of panic that you will miss something important

f) Inability to take a break or vacation

g) Keeping the gadgets close 24×7 so that you don’t miss anything

While doing in-depth psychological analysis, Dr Sharma has found out that people suffering from workaholic syndrome suffer from two core fears –

a) Fear of failure: A majority of these people have a poor sense of personal worth. They use achievement as a drug to feel good about themselves. They fear even the smallest of failures and this makes them workaholic.

b) Fear of self: Subconsciously, quite a few workaholic people are not comfortable with the core of their self. They struggle from complexes and difficult emotions and use excessive work as a means to keep their mind busy.

People who suffer from this syndrome find weekends difficult. They tend to feel empty, irritable and depressed and find ways to return back to work somehow. This leads to fights between them and their close ones. If not working, they stay close to work via the gadgets on the weekend. While all work and no play will seem to be near perfect in the short run. In the long-term, it ruins physical and psychological health. The person becomes prone to diseases and disorders including – hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, GERD, spondylitis, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, marital conflict, family disharmony and aggression.

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Practical ways to deal with workaholic syndrome are:

a) Become self-aware: Everyone has unique reasons for being workaholic. You need to first understand why work is becoming so important for you? Are you trying to hide a weak and a shameful self? Are you running away from negative feelings?

b) Don’t run from negativity: You need to face your negative and painful emotions. Give yourself space and opportunity to feel sad, angry and low. Often when we face these feelings in a calm manner, they fade away and we feel very strong.

c) Go slow: If you are a workaholic, change cannot happen instantly. If you cut down your addiction quickly, you get depressed because your body and mind are dependent on work. Therefore, gradually reduce your involvement with work while thinking of alternatives.

d) Balance: Maintain a balanced life time-table. Keep space for work, hobbies, relationships and your own self.

Follow these tips to live a fulfilling all-rounded life. We have only one life and it’s too short to be spent only working. Are you maintaining a proper work-life balance? Take this quiz to find out.

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Published : July 12, 2013 11:48 am | Updated:June 9, 2014 2:42 pm

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