14 DAY TRIAL // Although workaholism is yet to be formally recognized as a medical condition and dealt with as such, it appears that this behavioral disorder affects way more people than assumed. In fact, researchers in Norway think it to be the addiction of the century.
In a recent paper in the journal PLOS One, specialist Cecilie Schou Andreassen with the country's University of Bergen and fellow researchers explain that, according to evidence at hand, workaholism currently affects 8.3% of all Norwegians.
What's more, the University of Bergen researchers argue that, according to their investigations into the matter at hand, these individuals' workaholic tendencies are more often than not strong enough to lead to various health issues.
In their paper in the journal PLOS One, Cecilie Schou Andreassen and colleagues explain that, contrary to what some might assume, workaholism is as common among men as it is among women. Simply put, there are no differences between the two genders.
However, it appears that younger adults are more likely to display workaholic tendencies than older individuals. More so if they have a family and have at least one child to look after, the University of Bergen specialists explain.
In an interview, Cecilie Schou Andreassen argued that, given the outcome of this investigation, it might not be such a bad idea if efforts were to be made to raise awareness about workaholism, maybe even roll out various treatment options for the people affected by this behavioral disorder.
“As workaholism is not a formal diagnosis the development of treatment models and real treatment offers has been lacking. The fact that more than 8% of the general work population seems to suffer from workaholism underlines the need for proper treatment and other relevant interventions,” she said.
In case anyone was wondering, there are seven criteria that specialists rely on when trying to determine whether or not a person is a workaholic. These criteria, available below, are all designed to establish how much time an individual spends thinking about work and actually working.
- One thinks about how to free up more time for work - One finds themselves working longer hours than initially planned - One feels that working reduces feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness and/or depression - One has been told that they work too much, but has failed to listen to this piece of advice - One becomes stressed when unable to work - One chooses work over hobbies, leisure activities, and/or exercise - One has develop several health issues as a result of working too much
“If you reply ‘often’ or ‘always’ to at least four of these seven criteria, there is some indication that you may be a workaholic,” explains Schou Andreassen. Furthermore, “This is the first scale to use core symptoms of addiction found in other more traditional addictions.”