For many of us, there's a word that jolts us into action - but for author Jenny Kleeman, it was 'workaholism' that brought back memories of her most difficult time: losing two babies in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. It was an experience so traumatic she'd rather not relive it. Yet every time she hears the word, she's jolted back to those early days - when she thought work could numb pain and escape reality.
Kleeman traveled to rural Norway in 2016 while nearly five months pregnant with her second child. There, she made a short documentary about asylum seekers taking cultural education classes on women's rights. Her pregnancy had been complicated, including bleeding heavily at nine weeks after coming off set and being diagnosed with Down syndrome during a routine screening. When she arrived at the documentary location, Kleeman experienced sudden pain - appendicitis - which nearly killed her. The class was due to start in an hour.
The incident left Kleeman shaken but still working on the day of the class. The documentary she made in Norway has been a source of guilt and shame for her since then. She's unable to watch it, fearing that seeing herself would be too painful.
Kleeman believes work addiction could be the root cause behind her obsession with work - something Jen, a 50-year-old consultant, also struggles with. The two women met through Workaholics Anonymous (WA) and their conversations are an interesting study in how different people cope with excessive work. For Kleeman, the problem is not that she loves what she does but that she has used it to escape from pain; for Jen, the issue lies in her reliance on work as a coping mechanism.
Mark Griffiths, an emeritus professor at Nottingham Trent University and author of several papers on behavioral addictions, shares his own story of using work to cope with a difficult situation. He's been working non-stop since he had spinal surgery five years ago - something that left him in a wheelchair.
Griffiths sees the distinction between work addiction (an inability to control one's behavior due to compulsive need) and workaholism (a choice to prioritize work over other aspects of life). While abuse does not necessarily mean addiction, Griffiths notes that both can have negative consequences on our lives. What's most important is seeking help when we recognize that something has become harmful.
The article raises questions about how society views excessive work, comparing it to substance addictions which the WHO and DSM-5 officially recognize.
Kleeman traveled to rural Norway in 2016 while nearly five months pregnant with her second child. There, she made a short documentary about asylum seekers taking cultural education classes on women's rights. Her pregnancy had been complicated, including bleeding heavily at nine weeks after coming off set and being diagnosed with Down syndrome during a routine screening. When she arrived at the documentary location, Kleeman experienced sudden pain - appendicitis - which nearly killed her. The class was due to start in an hour.
The incident left Kleeman shaken but still working on the day of the class. The documentary she made in Norway has been a source of guilt and shame for her since then. She's unable to watch it, fearing that seeing herself would be too painful.
Kleeman believes work addiction could be the root cause behind her obsession with work - something Jen, a 50-year-old consultant, also struggles with. The two women met through Workaholics Anonymous (WA) and their conversations are an interesting study in how different people cope with excessive work. For Kleeman, the problem is not that she loves what she does but that she has used it to escape from pain; for Jen, the issue lies in her reliance on work as a coping mechanism.
Mark Griffiths, an emeritus professor at Nottingham Trent University and author of several papers on behavioral addictions, shares his own story of using work to cope with a difficult situation. He's been working non-stop since he had spinal surgery five years ago - something that left him in a wheelchair.
Griffiths sees the distinction between work addiction (an inability to control one's behavior due to compulsive need) and workaholism (a choice to prioritize work over other aspects of life). While abuse does not necessarily mean addiction, Griffiths notes that both can have negative consequences on our lives. What's most important is seeking help when we recognize that something has become harmful.
The article raises questions about how society views excessive work, comparing it to substance addictions which the WHO and DSM-5 officially recognize.
... I mean, what works for one person might not work for another. Jenny Kleeman's story is really powerful, but it also raises questions about whether simply attending meetings or sharing her experiences is enough to overcome the trauma and emotional pain she went through. 
I'm not saying he doesn't have control over his behavior, but isn't there something more complex at play here? Maybe we need to rethink how we approach work addiction and mental health. The fact that the WHO and DSM-5 recognize substance addictions but not work addiction raises some interesting questions about how we prioritize our well-being in a society that often values productivity over people 
but little do they know, some people use work as a coping mechanism for emotional pain and trauma... it's so sad that Jenny had to relive her traumatic experience through the documentary 
. and yeah, I can see how workaholism can be a choice, but also how it can become an addiction... like, mark's situation with spinal surgery is crazy 
. what's really interesting is how society views excessive work... it's not just about burnout or stress, it's about recognizing when something is harming us and seeking help 
. we need to have more conversations like this, you know? 
. And the thing is, work addiction isn't even about loving what u do (Jen's all like "I love my job") but more about using it to escape from pain 
.
. Like, am I just using it to escape or am I really passionate about it? 
I'm still shook thinking about those women who are struggling with work addiction 
. For me, work is like my therapy, you know? It helps me forget about stress and anxiety, but at what cost? 
.
. It's all about finding that balance in life, you know? For some of us, it might mean setting boundaries or taking time off to recharge, but for others... well, it might be a matter of seeking help 
.
. If it can help people like Jenny and Jen find their way back to a healthy work-life balance, then I'm all for it 
. Let's raise awareness about the dangers of excessive work and support those who need it 
.
. It's like, chill, life is more than just likes and comments on a screen 
. We need to take breaks, exercise, eat well, & connect with people face-to-face 
. I wish ppl would recognize when they're crossing that line & seek help 
. Let's prioritize our mental health & well-being over productivity 
like, i get it, work can be fulfilling but at what cost to our mental health? 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this article... I mean, can you believe someone's pregnant with their second child and then suddenly has appendicitis? Like, what are the chances?! 
. And it's not just about the trauma, but also about how she used work to escape reality 
. I'm glad there are people like Mark Griffiths who share their stories and offer help 
. The thing that really got me is when he said the distinction between addiction and abuse is key 
... like, just recognizing when something's gone too far is the first step to recovery 
, it can be tough to see how that's affecting us in the long run. Like, Jen and Jenny, they're both talking about using work as a way to escape pain, which is crazy when you think about it 
.
i mean, who tries to do a documentary on asylum seekers while having appendicitis?! 
i think it's really important for us to acknowledge that our love for work can sometimes be a coping mechanism, rather than just being passionate about what we do 
mark griffiths' perspective on the distinction between work addiction and workaholism is super insightful too 
. And the fact that WHO and DSM-5 are recognizing substance addictions, but not excessive work... that's like, what even is that?! 
