An experienced Krasnoyarsk psychotherapist explained how to distinguish workaholism from diligence

Associate Professor of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Pedagogy of Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Marina Lisnyak explained where the line is between healthy hard work and dangerous dependence on work. The specialist’s commentary was shared by the regional Ministry of Health.

As the Krasnoyarsk psychotherapist notes, workaholism is a form of behavioral disorder in which a person tries to escape from reality. The key sign of addiction is not the number of hours worked, but the damage that work causes to personal life and health.

A workaholic sacrifices sleep, lunch, communication with family and friends, and his motive is “work for the sake of work.” Unlike a purposeful person who works for a specific result, a workaholic cannot stop and does not know his true needs.

“Such a patient rarely comes with a complaint about overwork. More often he comes in because of insomnia, chronic anxiety, emotional exhaustion or irritability,” explained Marina Lisnyak.

This condition leads to psychosomatic diseases: the cardiovascular and nervous systems suffer. There are also known cases of death from overwork. So, in Japan this phenomenon is called “karoshi”.

The specialist emphasized that there are no “pills for workaholism.” Only psychological diagnostics and a person’s willingness to change can help. The doctor advises not to ignore the body’s signals and seek help in time if you cannot cope with the load.

Main photo: freepik.com

Newslab now in MAX. News is also published in OK | VK | Zen | Telegram