“Overworking May Put You in an Early Grave”
My generation contributed to the creation of the “workaholic.” But, is this healthy? Workaholics feel compelled to work for the sake of working, and you feel panic, anxiety or a sense of loss when you aren’t working. The workaholic is “addicted to an incessant activity,” said Diane M. Fassel, author of “Working Ourselves to Death.” The behavior continues even if the worker becomes aware that it is personally harmful. Opinions differ on whether such unhealthy behavior, as opposed to abuse of substances like drugs and alcohol, can be considered an actual addiction. But more mental health professionals now consider “workaholism” a condition that can cause both mental and physical damage, said Bryan E. Robinson, book author of “Chained to the Desk.” One problem is that people are praised and rewarded for working excessively, which almost never happens with addictions. Most workaholics are either perfectionists, have a need for control or a combination of both. Working too hard can also be a way to escape from a bad relationship or to make up for an absence in one’s personal life.
