Are you a workaholic?

Do you feel lost when you have time on your hands with no task to do, "hoarding" work so you'll never run out? Do you dislike spontaneous events, surprises or interruptions because they upset your agenda? Do you feel you have to work hard to deserve some fun? Do you rush to accomplish more in less time and then wonder why you still have less time? If so, you are exhibiting workaholic behaviour.

Workaholism is our latest socially acceptable addiction. Other addictions like smoking, drugs, overeating, alcohol and sex are condemned and yet those addicted to work are excused or even praised and rewarded. There is a certain pride and satisfaction among those who perform excessively by working extra hours above and beyond what is expected of them. And this to the detriment of their own physical and mental health, family, personal relationships and social life.

What is workaholism? Many mistakenly identify workaholics simply with those who work hard or produce much. Rather it's one's attitude to work that defines it: one who cannot not work, who has a compulsion to work and who cannot allow oneself to relax and enjoy life. So it is how you work, not how much or how hard you work.

The term "workaholism" was originally coined by Oates in 1971 and has now entered into our everyday vocabulary. In spite of its widespread use, this term has received limited scientific attention and a clear definition of this concept has not been sufficiently explored. Certain authors distinguish between positive and negative forms of workaholism, the former often referring to positive effects on the organisations they work for!

Current notions of workaholism include the motivation for working excessively long and hard. Briefly, researchers mention three characteristics of workaholics.

The first is that they have a compulsion or an uncontrollable need to work incessantly, spending a great deal of their time in work activities even when given a choice not to, resulting in sacrificing family, social or recreational activities.

The second element is that they frequently and persistently think about work when they are not at work (for example, while in bed, driving, meeting people, etc.) showing reluctance to disengage from work and to a certain extent being obsessed with their work.

The third feature is that they work beyond what is reasonably expected to meet financial or organisational requirements, that is, they work harder than is required not due to external factors but out of an inner compulsion.

Research has actually shown that workaholics work longer and harder than others not because of the job requirements but rather because they tend to create high job demands for themselves. Sometimes they do this by complicating simple projects unnecessarily or else by creating a crisis in order to work on the problems resulting from this crisis.

One can recognise workaholics because they spend most of their time and energy working while neglecting other important aspects of their life. Unless they are working at something they do not feel at ease. They experience difficulty in relaxing or in enjoying themselves. They don't like to engage in activities which are not goal oriented.

Jean Johnson has developed a test called Wart (Work Addiction Risk Test) to determine one's level or degree of workaholism. Here are some examples taken from the 25- item questionnaire: "I find myself doing two or three things at one time such as eating lunch and writing a memo while talking on the phone"; "I feel guilty when I am not working on something"; "I am more interested in the final result of my work than in the process"; "I forget, ignore or minimise celebrations such as birthdays, reunions, anniversaries or holidays".

What are the causes or origins of workaholic behaviours? Why does a person resort to such behaviours? As a way to avoid psychological discomfort? Out of fear of intimacy? As a buffer between the self and unwanted moods and feelings? In order to feel indispensable and satisfy the need to be needed?

Workaholics may be driven by the need to succeed and to achieve thereby masking their strong needs for validation, approval and recognition. They may be experiencing self-esteem problems and try to convince themselves and others that they are worthy, competent and special. If as children they were shown conditional love by their parents ("We love you if you do well in your exams"), they end up identifying their self-worth with performance thereby living a successful but unhappy life. So to feel good about themselves as worthy persons they seek refuge in working hard and in functional activities.

Workaholism is learned, often in the family. Children receive messages from their parents that they have to live up to others' high expectations in order to be loved and accepted. Certain rules and norms of behaviour are implicitly established in the family to which the child has to conform. These rules are at times presented in a rigid and perfectionist manner as necessary conditions for a successful life. And especially when a parent is a workaholic, the child grows up observing this lifestyle and identifies himself or herself with the parent's workaholic characteristics.

Are there remedies to workaholism? What can one do to deal with one's workaholic behaviour? Unfortunately, as with other addictions, workaholics start taking their problem seriously when it becomes a crisis, such as in a lost relationship, a family conflict, sustained stress or burnout, a crippling physical or psychological problem. The famous spiritual writer Thomas Merton stated: "To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence."

A brief formula which Val Farmer proposes as advice for workaholics is: Work Less, Live Better, Do Better Work. Doing less and living better. As already mentioned, workaholism brings with it family problems, relationship issues, a certain rigid attitude and a lack of free choices in life. Workaholics, then, need to take a deeper look at their underlying motivation for their work-driven lifestyles if they want to change their behaviour. They might realise that by reducing their work time and investing more in non-work activities, they will experience the same amount of success as before, if not more, plus enhance their quality of life. If they want to develop a proper work-life balance, they have to give more importance to holidays, leisure activities and relaxation. These need to be planned in advance and protected from intrusions.

By taking time away from work, they begin to unwind and to appreciate the serenity and inner peace which result from this behaviour change. Finally, let us remember that even God himself rested on the seventh day, so why can't we? After all, we are human beings and not human doings!

Fr A. Darmanin, a psychologist, is a senior lecturer in the department of psychology at the university and the author of four books.