"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and Jill a rich widow."
- Evan Esar
Therapy for Workaholics, Stress Addicts and other Type A People
Our culture and corporate structure LOVES workaholics. How many times do we hear that:
- hard work never killed anyone
- idle hands are the devil's workshop
- if you want to succeed you have to work like a dog
Overwork is rampant in the U.S. It's how we are taught to pursue happiness. It's in our declaration of independence. But hard work keeps us chained - to desks, cell phones, email...
Is it an addiction?
Technically no. It's more of a compulsion. But if it's hurting your relationships, your health or (ironically) your productivity and you CAN'T STOP. Then it's a problem
In therapy, you can look at the roots of your need to achieve, to strive, to be in control. Usually these traits have their roots in early family relationships. You may be reacting to an overly critical or controlling parent. Or conversely, you may be proving that you're nothing like your dad (mom, brother, uncle...) who never amounted to anything. Or it may be that work is an escape from anxiety - the fear of not being good enough - which can lead to perfectionism.
When you understand the root of the problem, then you can begin to make changes. Taking time off, getting rest, developing your life outside of work can be difficult, even intimidating at first. But as you find more balance and see the benefits, you may find the happiness that work could never provide. Ironically, many people find that when they work less, the quality of their work improves (and often their income does too).
Schedule Consultation
Find out if therapy can help. Call for a free 30-minute consultation: (925)518-4072 or begin the scheduling process online by clicking here: Schedule Consultation.
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