Are You a Workaholic? Signs, Types, and Coping Mechanisms for Workaholism

What is Workaholism?

Researchers have yet to find one unique definition for workaholism. It is not a disorder in the same way that depression, anxiety, or ADHD is. Some researchers believe it is a personality trait, and others believe it to be a state of the mind and motivation. There is also a discrepancy between whether or not the enjoyment one derives from work should be accounted for in defining workaholism. If someone works excessively for the joy of it, are they addicted to their work? If they find pleasure and fun in working, should it be labelled as negative?

For the sake of this article, we will be examining workaholism from the lens of the unenthusiastic: the worker who overworks themselves not because they enjoy their work but because they feel like they have to. 

There are four key parts of workaholism, which are:

• High work investment
• Long working hours
• Work beyond expectations 
• An all-consuming obsession with work

These four traits will be found in all workaholics, whether or not they truly enjoy their work or not. 

What Are the Signs of Workaholism?

There are many different types of workaholics, and not everyone will share the same set of symptoms. There are also some positive signs of workaholics, like increased productivity at work. However, workaholism should not be romanticized or glorified without taking a look at some of its detrimental effects. These negative side effects of it can include:

• Difficulty prioritizing personal time and leisure activities
• Obsessively thinking about work, even during off-hours
• Neglecting personal health and well-being due to excessive work commitments
• Strained or damaged personal relationships because of an intense focus on work
• Feeling anxious or guilty when taking time off from work
• Defining self-worth primarily through work achievements and productivity
• Consistently working long hours, including nights and weekends, to the detriment of work-life balance

There are some positive side effects to workaholism, such as:

• Strong work ethic and dedication to tasks
• High levels of productivity and efficiency
• Capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Commitment to personal and professional growth
• Achievement-oriented mindset
• Drive to succeed and excel in one's field

While these traits may initially seem positive, it's crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout and prioritize overall well-being.

4 Types of Workaholism

Researchers have found 4 types of workaholics. These are:

• The Bulimic: Someone who will do the job perfectly or not at all. 
• The Relentless: Someone who feels compulsively driven to work quickly and meet deadlines. They often have trouble stopping working. 
• The Savoring: Someone who is consumed by the details. 
• The Attention Deficit: Someone who starts numerous projects but easily gets bored, bouncing from one task to another without fully finishing it. (Could be a sign of a Chronic Procrastinator as well)

More research needs to go into this theory of the four types of workaholics. One thing researchers can agree on is that some workaholics find meaning and enjoyment in their work, and others do not. Those who do not will likely suffer more emotional and mental burnout and ill effects than those who honestly enjoy their work. 

What is the root cause of workaholism?

Workaholism can have many different causes. There is no one cause, and it’s possible to have multiple factors that lead to workaholism. 

Some causes of workaholism include:

• Toxic Work Environment: Some work cultures encourage their employees to stay late and come in early, putting in excessive hours and devoting all their energy to their job. When you are surrounded with this expectation all week, it can be easy to slip into workaholic behavior. 
• Fear of Failure: This could be driven by an intrinsic fear of failing or an extrinsic need to succeed. If you’re struggling financially, you might fear losing your job and do everything you can to keep it, including overworking yourself. 
• Avoidance Behavior: If your home life isn’t good or you’re trying to avoid different problems in your life, you may throw yourself into work. For many people, work is something they can control in a world that feels increasingly out of their control. 
• Difficulty Saying No: If you have people-pleasing tendencies or difficulty setting boundaries, you might over extend yourself at work to try and keep up with the expectations set for you. 
• Mental Illness: Disorders like ADHD, OCD, and Anxiety can make it easier to slip into workaholism. These types of disorders are linked to higher levels of procrastination, anxiety, and perfectionism that can make a perfect blend for workaholism to take root. 

Whatever the cause of your workaholism is, there are ways to treat it. 

Is Workaholism an Addiction?

It can be. Although not everyone’s workaholism is an addiction, many people are. People can become addicted to the feeling of accomplishing tasks and moving upwards in their work environment. It can get to the point where if they don’t feel this upward momentum, they feel like they're failing. In an attempt to not feel these uncomfortable emotions and to get the high of accomplishing tasks, they may become a workaholic. In this case, the addiction is not chemical but behavioral, the same as an internet or social media addiction. 

How to Stop Being a Workaholic

Follow these steps to have a healthier work-life balance and overcome workaholism:

1. Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Designate specific hours for work and prioritize self-care and leisure activities. This could look like logging off and putting away your computer when you’re not working, deleting work apps from your phone when you’re not working, and making it clear to your coworkers that you will not be working outside of your work hours. 
2. Delegate Tasks: Learn to trust others and delegate tasks to lighten your workload. It’s okay to ask for help. Take an honest look at your workload. Can you accomplish it all in a way that is well done and doesn’t burn you out? If the answer to either one of these is no, then consider asking your coworkers or boss for help. 
3. Practice Self-Care: Dedicate time each day to self-care activities that recharge your mind and body, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies. It’s important to begin to build a self outside of work. Reconnect with your hobbies. What do you like to do? What brings you passion and joy outside of work? Try to do one thing a day that brings you joy and doesn't work. 
4. Set Realistic Goals: Set realistic goals and prioritize tasks based on importance, rather than trying to do everything at once. Ask your boss to check your list and have them make edits to the list of priority tasks, so you can feel good about what you’re working on. 
5. Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge your accomplishments and reward yourself for reaching milestones, both big and small. Instead of constantly reaching for the next big thing, take the time to celebrate what you accomplished today. 
6. Establish Work-Life Balance: Make time for family, friends, and activities you enjoy outside of work to nurture relationships and find fulfillment beyond the workplace. A work-life balance can be tricky to find right away. It will take some trial and error. Take your time and keep adjusting how you spend your working and leisure hours. 
7. Seek Support: Consider talking to a therapist or counselor to explore the root causes of your workaholism and develop healthier coping strategies. Sometimes, workaholism is a habit that is too sticky to break on your own. A therapist can help. 

If you’re ready to beat workaholism and regain a work-life balance, talk to a Lifebulb therapist. We accept most major insurances and have open availability. 

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