Workaholism isn't a recognized psychiatric disorder, and experts can't agree on whether it's an addiction, a coping strategy, or a mask for another psychological condition. But they do all agree on one thing: an obsession with work is unhealthy. The following quiz, distributed by Workaholics Anonymous, may help you identify signs of being "addicted" to your job. A quiz from Workaholics Anonymous • Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else? |
| •Are there times when you can charge through your work and other times when you can't get anything done? |
| •Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation? |
| •Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most? |
| •Do you work more than 40 hours a week? |
| •Do you turn your hobbies into money-making ventures? |
| •Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work efforts? |
| •Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time? |
| •Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won't otherwise get done? |
| •Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to complete it? |
| •Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you are doing? |
| •Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work? |
| •Are you afraid that if you don't work hard you will lose your job or be a failure? |
| •Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well? |
| •Do you do things energetically and competitively, including play? |
| •Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work to do something else? |
| •Have your long hours hurt your family or other relationships? |
| •Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep, or when others are talking? |
| •Do you work or read during meals? |
| •Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your life? |
If you answered 'yes' to three or more of these questions, there is a chance you are a workaholic or well on your way to becoming one. Source: Workaholics Anonymous
Further Resources Workaholics Anonymous. World Service Organization. P.O. Box 289 Menlo Park, CA 94026-0289 U.S.A. Tel. (510) 273-9253 www.workaholics-anonymous.org
First published October 3, 2001
Last updated March 4, 2008
Copyright © 2001 Consumer Health Interactive
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