Workaholism

Are you so involved with work that other important behaviours and activities, both personal and interpersonal, are excluded or minimized most of the time?

Is your work the all-encompassing preoccupation in your life? If work is controlling you to the point of self and other defeating extremes, you are a work addict or workaholic.

And like people suffering from other socially accepted addictions, you reinforce your compulsive behaviour daily. You may be promoted for your efforts, but there are costs.For example, one study ascertained that 74% of workaholic partners were likely to have affairs, while 48% of workaholics were less likely to have affairs than non-workaholics.

The apparent reason why the workaholic has fewer affairs is, predictably, lack of time. However the deeper reason is a wish to avoid the increased demands that an affair would entail. And since the workaholic is minimally intimate with his or her partner, it is understandable that spouses of workaholics would go outside the relationship to find intimacy.

Have questions or wish to make an appointment ? Contact Dr Melanie

Click below to read related articles from Dr Melanie’s blog:
•Changing lifestyle coaching
•Are you a workaholic or a hard worker?
•Beating relationship stress
•Recognising and Addressing Stress in the Workplace