Approximately one-third of employees have identified or self-diagnosed themselves as a workaholic. However, between 5–10 percent of the population has been clinically diagnosed with work addiction.
When someone overworks themselves or develops an unhealthy relationship with work, it can have adverse effects on their personal life, physical health, and mental wellness. Being dedicated and enjoying your job differs from developing an addiction to work.
Some common symptoms of work addiction include:
- Obsessing about work and success
- Intense fear of failure relative to work
- Excessive worrying about performance at work
- Being defensive toward others at work
- Experiencing overwhelming feelings of negativity
- Using work to avoid personal issues or relationships
Some common symptoms of work addiction that can be recognized by others are:
- Working unnecessary extra hours without receiving compensation
- Loss of sleep due to work
- Neglecting other activities or relationships to work
- Social isolation due to overworking
Work Addiction Self-Assessment
If you recognize symptoms of work addiction in yourself, take this self-assessment to help identify the signs. This quiz is a self-guided assessment that has been created from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is the standard criteria for diagnosing mental health and substance use disorders. While not a formal clinical diagnosis, the results of this work addiction quiz can help you better understand how a work addiction may affect your life.
Please note that this self-assessment cannot substitute an official, clinical diagnosis. Only a medical professional can diagnose work addiction. To determine whether you need treatment, discuss your quiz results and symptoms with a mental health professional.
The quiz contains 12 questions related to work addiction.
Please answer “yes” or “no.” In the past six months, have you:
