Family Encyclopedia >> Work

Are you a workaholic?

The term workaholic was first coined in the late 60s by renowned psychologist and self-diagnosed workaholic Wayne Oates. Since then, researchers have tried to define what workaholic is and how it affects your health and well-being. Currently, experts estimate that between 10 and 25 percent of American adults are affected by workaholism.
Related: How to Handle the Workaholic
But it's not just about clocking in long hours at the office or burning midnight oil on the weekends. Workaholic is an inability to stop obsessing over work, or a compulsion to work when you have agreed to spend your time elsewhere – with family, for example. This compulsive behavior has drastic effects, including sleep, memory, and digestive problems; increased risk of heart problems and type II diabetes. If you think your job might be affecting your personal life, take this quiz to see where you stand.