What is a Workaholic?
Current Research:
Current research from the University of Bergen has shown a serious link between being a Workaholic and psychiatric disorders. It seems that those who are identified as a workaholic scored higher with psychiatric symptoms than those who are not workaholics.
The University have released some preliminary results showing how big the association between psychological issues and workaholism is:
When the study compared both workaholics and non-workaholics they found that 32.7% of workaholics met the criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) while only 12.7% in the non-workaholics group. Similarly, 25.6% of workaholics met the criteria for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) while a mere 8.7% were non-workaholics. This trend continued with 22.8% of workaholics meet the criteria for anxiety compared with 11.9% of non-workaholics, and 8.9% of workaholics versus 2.6% of non-workaholics for the depression criteria.
Perhaps this study is suggesting that workaholism may be a sign of more serious psychological or emotional issues.
It is important to note that this study, at this stage, does not indicatively prove that workaholism is a cause of such disorders. It is however showing a strong link between them.
So Are You a Workaholic?
If you or those around you have labelled you as a workaholic, then the below test may be a helpful indicator as to whether you are a workaholic and should seek professional support.
Please circle the most appropriate answer to the best of your knowledge.
Over the past year how often have you experienced the below:
| 1 | You think of how you can free up more time to work. | Never | Seldom | Sometimes | Often | Always |
| 2 | You spend much more time working than initially intended. | Never | Seldom | Sometimes | Often | Always |
| 3 | You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness or depression. | Never | Seldom | Sometimes | Often | Always |
| 4 | You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them. | Never | Seldom | Sometimes | Often | Always |
| 5 | You become stressed if you are prohibited from working. | Never | Seldom | Sometimes | Often | Always |
| 6 | You deprioritize hobbies, leisure activities, and/or exercise because of your work. | Never | Seldom | Sometimes | Often | Always |
| 7 | You work so much that it has negatively influenced your health. | Never | Seldom | Sometimes | Often | Always |
Scoring Often or Always on four or more criteria identify a workaholic.
If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one being identified as being a workaholic and would like more information or support please contact a mental health professional in your area, or us at Shore Therapy.