Work-related addiction can be considered one of the “new behavioral addictions” as no addictive substance is taken by the individual. From the second half of the twentieth century onwards, researchers have focused their attention on various forms of behavioral addictions such as physical exercise, compulsive shopping, playing computer games, gambling, excessive internet use and even addiction to the Rubik Cube. Over the past few decades there has been great interest in an addiction related to work with various descriptions such as workaholism, work addiction, excessive work, being used interchangeably. The DSM-IV makes no mention of workaholism, but in the section devoted to the obsessive compulsive personality disorder, it refers to excessive devotion to work and productivity leading to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (Criterion 3). There is no justification such as economic necessity for this behavior. Subjects often feel that they have no time to take an evening or a weekend off to go on an outing or just relax. They may keep postponing a pleasurable activity, such as a vacation, so that it never takes place. When they do take time for leisure activities or vacations, they are very uncomfortable unless they have taken along something to work on so as not to “waste time.”

Workaholism: An Addiction or a Quality to be Appreciated

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