Workaholism- Ignoring it could lead to mental disorder
Feb 08, 2009
SOMETHING has gone awry in their relationship. Her husband of seven years has taken on another lifestyle. And Marion Naigaga, a housewife in Kulambiro, Ntinda, near Kampala, does not understand what all this is about. <br>
By Hope Abimanya
SOMETHING has gone awry in their relationship. Her husband of seven years has taken on another lifestyle. And Marion Naigaga, a housewife in Kulambiro, Ntinda, near Kampala, does not understand what all this is about.
Not that Samson is into drinking, smoking or is seeing another woman. No, her hubby, a projects officer with a non-governmental organisation in Kamwokya, has been ensnared in his work and all he does nowadays is just that — work.
“Only one thing is on his mind these days — work,†the mother of three says desolately. “Sometimes he eats while going through his files; he no longer takes time to greet his children. He even chases them away as he works. It has gotten scary.â€
Dr. David Basangwa, a counsellor at the National Mental Referral Hospital, Butabika, says Samson could be suffering from workaholism, a term taken to mean a situation in which a person is addicted to his work.
This, however, does not mean that the persons enjoy their work; just that they feel they are compelled to work.
An online encyclopaedia, wikipedia, says although workaholism is not generally accepted as a medical or psychological condition, it is always linked to forms of stress or an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
The term tends to carry a negative connotation though in positive terms, it may be used to describe one’s devotion to their job.
Workaholics are known to neglect their families and other relations. Work becomes their only reason to live.
Dr. Musisi Segane, a psychiatrist at the International Medical Group, says workaholism is commonly caused by pressure at work, overscheduled activity or, most times, bad relationships, stress, frustrations and many other factors that can change one’s overall attitude towards life.
“Such a person will stretch himself to exhaustion and is constantly worried about meeting deadlines, bagging projects, achieving success, etc,†Segane says.
In such a situation, one’s relationship with work competes with other important relationships. People get more excited about their work than their family, friends or partners.
In the past, workaholics have typically been men. Today, the problem is becoming more common among women as greater numbers of females move into upper management in formal employment.
Workaholics usually behave most smugly, it seems their friends and family is merely another trophy to project their identity and have no time to listen.
Like heavy drinking; workaholism also masks the underlying problem while creating other difficulties.
Our way of work should be measured by the conditions we need in order to flourish as human beings.
Hard work vs workaholism
Hard workers know how to handle huge amounts of work efficiently and how to relax and enjoy life away from office. They are able to share outside interests with their family and friends, but a workaholic constantly thinks and talks about work, even when at home.
To many people today, work has become an obsession. All they think about is getting ahead and the next big investment deal.
They fear to say no to more tasks and use work to keep busy. They may not know what to do with themselves if they are not working.
Without help, workaholism can be deadly. Sometimes people kill themselves if they do not get help for the underlying problem.
Workaholism can destroy marriages and harm children. By the time the workaholic mum or dad gets home, children are already asleep and by morning as they leave for work, the children have already gone to school, which has led to family break-ups.
Unfortunately, being a workaholic will not make one a great boss: “They are always crashing their creativity and initiative and making unreasonable demands on subordinates,†says a management trainer.
Workaholism is usually a mask for lack of confidence and self-esteem and can easily result into a mental disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder, which requires treatment by a mental health specialist.
But the workaholic may not be willing to accept help. In Marion’s case, she had to drag her workaholic husband to a counsellor.
She threatened to end the marriage if things did not change.
SOMETHING has gone awry in their relationship. Her husband of seven years has taken on another lifestyle. And Marion Naigaga, a housewife in Kulambiro, Ntinda, near Kampala, does not understand what all this is about.
Not that Samson is into drinking, smoking or is seeing another woman. No, her hubby, a projects officer with a non-governmental organisation in Kamwokya, has been ensnared in his work and all he does nowadays is just that — work.
“Only one thing is on his mind these days — work,†the mother of three says desolately. “Sometimes he eats while going through his files; he no longer takes time to greet his children. He even chases them away as he works. It has gotten scary.â€
Dr. David Basangwa, a counsellor at the National Mental Referral Hospital, Butabika, says Samson could be suffering from workaholism, a term taken to mean a situation in which a person is addicted to his work.
This, however, does not mean that the persons enjoy their work; just that they feel they are compelled to work.
An online encyclopaedia, wikipedia, says although workaholism is not generally accepted as a medical or psychological condition, it is always linked to forms of stress or an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
The term tends to carry a negative connotation though in positive terms, it may be used to describe one’s devotion to their job.
Workaholics are known to neglect their families and other relations. Work becomes their only reason to live.
Dr. Musisi Segane, a psychiatrist at the International Medical Group, says workaholism is commonly caused by pressure at work, overscheduled activity or, most times, bad relationships, stress, frustrations and many other factors that can change one’s overall attitude towards life.
“Such a person will stretch himself to exhaustion and is constantly worried about meeting deadlines, bagging projects, achieving success, etc,†Segane says.
In such a situation, one’s relationship with work competes with other important relationships. People get more excited about their work than their family, friends or partners.
In the past, workaholics have typically been men. Today, the problem is becoming more common among women as greater numbers of females move into upper management in formal employment.
Workaholics usually behave most smugly, it seems their friends and family is merely another trophy to project their identity and have no time to listen.
Like heavy drinking; workaholism also masks the underlying problem while creating other difficulties.
Our way of work should be measured by the conditions we need in order to flourish as human beings.
Hard work vs workaholism
Hard workers know how to handle huge amounts of work efficiently and how to relax and enjoy life away from office. They are able to share outside interests with their family and friends, but a workaholic constantly thinks and talks about work, even when at home.
To many people today, work has become an obsession. All they think about is getting ahead and the next big investment deal.
They fear to say no to more tasks and use work to keep busy. They may not know what to do with themselves if they are not working.
Without help, workaholism can be deadly. Sometimes people kill themselves if they do not get help for the underlying problem.
Workaholism can destroy marriages and harm children. By the time the workaholic mum or dad gets home, children are already asleep and by morning as they leave for work, the children have already gone to school, which has led to family break-ups.
Unfortunately, being a workaholic will not make one a great boss: “They are always crashing their creativity and initiative and making unreasonable demands on subordinates,†says a management trainer.
Workaholism is usually a mask for lack of confidence and self-esteem and can easily result into a mental disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder, which requires treatment by a mental health specialist.
But the workaholic may not be willing to accept help. In Marion’s case, she had to drag her workaholic husband to a counsellor.
She threatened to end the marriage if things did not change.