This article, based on an interview with psychologist Dr. Paweł Atroszko, explores workaholism as a serious and universal addiction. The central theme is that vacation often serves as a critical test, revealing whether a person’s relationship with work has become a dependency. If anxiety and the inability to disconnect from work persist for more than a week into a holiday, it may signal an underlying addiction.
Key Arguments and Findings
- Symptoms of Workaholism: The addiction is characterized by three main symptoms: an absolute mental preoccupation with work, a loss of control over working hours (e.g., working longer than planned or during inappropriate times), and experiencing negative health or social consequences as a result.
- Workaholism vs. Enthusiasm: A common myth is that enjoying one’s job prevents addiction. However, Dr. Atroszko explains that addiction is often driven by the pursuit of feeling better and escaping negative emotions, a pattern seen in workaholics who may genuinely love what they do.
- Causes and Triggers: External, structural factors like financial pressure (e.g., a mortgage) are often more significant drivers of workaholism than internal personality traits. Work can also serve as an escape from other life problems.
- Global Prevalence: Research shows workaholism is a global issue, but it is more common in developing or post-communist countries (like Poland) than in highly-developed nations with strong social support systems (like Norway).
Conclusions and Takeaways
To combat workaholism, the first step is diagnosis, which often requires acknowledging feedback from others, as addicts tend to have low self-awareness of the problem. Solutions involve addressing the external pressures where possible and developing internal regulation mechanisms through therapies like CBT, motivational dialogue, or mindfulness. Prevention is key and should start early by cultivating a healthy hierarchy of values, learning emotional self-regulation, and actively practicing the skill of enjoying leisure time and ‘doing nothing’ on a regular basis, not just during vacations.
Mentoring question
After reading that vacation can be a test for workaholism, reflect on your last significant break from work. Were you able to fully disconnect, or did you feel a persistent anxiety or compulsion to check in? What might this suggest about your own work-life boundaries?
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