Am I Addicted to Work?
Today, we are sharing this blog space with Alexia Eller, LMSW. Alexia is a mental health therapist, an EMDR therapist, and a mental health advocate. She has a diverse work history and is sharing today about how the way you view your job can have an impact on your mental health and overall wellness. Join us in learning more about the idea of healthy balance in the work place.
Do you strive for a successful career and want to be recognized by others in your field for all your extra efforts or projects you work on? As it is admirable to be cherished in your workplace and valued by your employer and coworkers, it can become a behavioral addiction feeling like you have to work instead of enjoying your off time with your family or taking your dog for a walk.
Yes, you have to pay bills, eat food, and possibly support others in your family which can come from an income from a job, however just because those necessities have to be bought with monetary value most of the time, it doesn’t mean that it is what controls your life.
According to the National Library of Medicine, addiction to work can cause you to overwork yourself in all areas of your life, to the where you aren’t present for family or friends, impacting your physical health, downtime, and mental health. Andreassen discusses in length of some signs of possible “workaholism” and they are listed below for you to assess if you might have one or more of the following. (1) (2) (3)
Signs you need to be aware of:
Increased anxiety
Fatigue or difficulty sleeping
Irritability with others easily
Hobbies becoming less important for an extended period of time
Finding yourself working later or doing overtime frequently
Guilt for taking time off
Working to avoid coping with feelings or life’s crises (4)
If you feel you are experiencing any of these signs, it is possible you may become or are addicted to work. If this is the case, please seek assistance in trying to get back on track by either talking to your supervisor, or coworkers about distributing the workload and/or a therapist who can help you create boundaries within the workplace.
If you are interested in learning more about workplace stress, boundaries, and personal growth that is congruent with your professional growth, we are ready to help. Whether online therapy, in person at our Arlington, TX base therapy office, or through group therapy, we have options to meet your needs. Connect with a member of our team today.
