A new study finds that there is a strong link between workaholism and developing mental health issues. Workaholics are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders than those people who have work-life balance.
The University of Bergen researchers found that taking too much work could be a symptom of a hidden psychiatric disorders. The psychiatric issues include obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
"Workaholics scored higher on all the psychiatric symptoms than non-workaholics," the lead researcher and clinical psychologist specialist, Cecile Schou Andreassen said in a press release. "Taking work to the extreme may be a sign of deeper psychological or emotional issues."
The study revealed the following findings: almost 33 percent of workaholics had symptoms of ADHD and only 13 percent of non-workaholics; 26 percent of workaholics had OCD symptoms compared to 9 percent of non-workaholics; 34 percent of workaholics exhibited anxiety symptoms compared to 12 percent non-workaholics; and 9% of workaholics met depression criteria, compared to 3% of non-workaholics.
The Bergen Work Addiction Scale that uses seven valid diagnostic criteria to reveal several types of addiction was used by the researchers. Individuals who scored 4 to 5 on more than four criteria were classified as a workaholic. The scale measures workaholism and traditional addiction symptoms the same way, including mood modification, conflict, tolerance, salience, relapse, withdrawal, and problems.
After the study, researchers suggested that further studies are needed to investigate neurological deviations connected to workaholic behavior. They also highlighted the importance of organizational interventions in preventing adults in suppressing workaholic tendencies.
The study was important that it showed that addiction is not only limited to drinking and gambling, CNN reported. However, the study does not link the causes and effects.
Andreassen pointed out that the study is a good platform to show that people with ADHD could be very intelligent, creative, talented and serious with work. She also reiterated that the findings should not generalize people with psychiatric issues negatively because way back in history, they were the ones who were great artists, business leaders, scientists and successful people.
Moreover, since the research exposed the other sides of addiction, it gave people a chance to know if they are exerting effort at work more than they should be. If they do, to find medical help at the earliest possible time.
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