Work-aholism

Yes, workaholism is a serious disorder, but it tends to be minimized or ignored because our American culture values a culture where people are overworked and exhausted... it's like a status symbol.

Workaholism is an addiction in the same way drugs or alcohol or shopping or gambling is. It serves to numb feelings, and it's very effective at doing so. The interesting thing is, there's solid data that workaholics who work 60-70 hours a week are only about 10-20% more productive than their counterparts who work 35-40 hours a week.

As with all process addictions, it isn't the easiest to solve. It requires reframing how you think about work, how you value yourself, how you prioritize your time. And it involves dealing with the feelings that workaholism is pushing down (that's often the most difficult one.) But it definitely can be overcome.

 

bingostring.....I loved my job as a high school teacher for 41 years. However, there is no doubt at all that I was a workaholic using my job to help cover my growing depression. That depression was caused by my shame and guilt as I continued to reject that I was gay. When health issues forced me to retire, everything got worse. It wasn't until I came out here on Empty Closets and then connected with an amazing therapist that the shame and guilt were overcome which led to the depression finally fading away. When I learned to be at peace with my self, to accept and finally to love my self, the depression no longer had a grip on me and I have been free of it ever since!
.....David