Episode 17 - Introduction to Overworking and Workaholic behavior as a Trauma Response

Overworking happens when you are exceeding your capacity at work - this capacity can be physical, mental or emotional. Overworking occurs when you work too long, too hard or too much. Similarly to overworking, workaholics have an inability to control the time they spend on work, even if working has negative health and relationship consequences. Although Overworking and Workaholic behaviors are very similar, they differ in that workaholics tend to act out compulsion and fear.

Even though it may not be obvious at first, both responses can be a trauma response.

So what exactly is overworking as a trauma response?

Trauma and the feelings that come with it are hard and uncomfortable; they can be painful and extremely unsettling. If this is the case for you, work can so easily become a very welcome distraction. Work can feel like a safe place because you can immerse yourself in it, it can be a place of logic or chaos but it is a place that is not in your mind and not made out of your feelings which is where the relief comes in. Trauma victims may get lost in work - they may even work through discomfort and physical pain because they are so accustomed to putting their unresolved feelings into their jobs.

If you find yourself immersing yourself in work as a distraction from other areas of your life that are causing dissatisfaction or stress, you could be experiencing overworking or workaholism as a trauma response.

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