overwork | Brian Collinson

Vibrant Jung Thing Blog

Individual Therapy, Overwork & Workaholism

July 22nd, 2011 · individual, individual therapy, overwork, therapy, workaholism

There is a real difference between overwork and workaholism, and it makes a real difference to the issues that arise in individual therapy. Both of these things are way too prevalent in our culture, but they are not the same.

Differences Between Overwork and Workaholism

Workaholism has an obsessive-compulsive, addictive character. Workaholics often think continuously about work, and often use work as a way of avoiding pain or hardship — or intimacy — in other areas of life. But someone may be subject to overwork, without any of these things being true.

Workaholics Overwork; Overworkers May Not be Workaholics

Workaholics do overwork, in terms of hours and/or effort put into work. They are part of the general epidemic of overwork in our society. In our culture, an increasing percentage of people work themselves into sickness, premature old age, even death, through work related stress. Both the workaholic, who feels an inner compulsion to work, and the person who works harder and harder out of fear of job loss, form part of this picture of ever-increasing overwork — both often need individual therapy and burnout treatment.

Workaholism and Overwork May Feel Productive, but Actually Aren’t

Often those compelled to overwork in short bursts for specific goals feel that their additional work is effective and productive. Workaholics may also feel this, but we know that they are wrong. It may feel like more is getting done, as endless hours that are put in, but studies show clearly that, with increasing hours, productivity is declining.

Both Overwork and Workaholism Can Keep Life From Being Meaningful

Work is ultimately only meaningful and satisfying if life overall is meaningful. Both the self-imposed, compulsively avoidant working of the workaholic, and the oppressively imposed burdens of the overwork culture can deprive life of much of its real meaning. From a Jungian perspective, the goal of life is to find those things in life that are genuinely meaningful to the unique individual. To acheive that requires a life in which there is meaningful work life balance in combination with other vital endeavours that each person’s unique being requires of him or her. Often Jungian psychotherapy can play a key role in assisting the individual to reach this point.

What does genuinely meaningful work really mean to you? I’d welcome your comments.

Brian Collinson, Psychotherapist & Jungian Analyst | Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Ontario

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