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In the demanding landscape of healthcare, the line between dedication and addiction to work can blur, leading physicians down a perilous path of overwork and neglect of personal well-being. Dr. Javeed Sukhera, Chair of Psychiatry at the Institute of Living and Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, shares his harrowing journey through work addiction and sheds light on this often-overlooked phenomenon.
Dr. Sukhera’s story is a poignant reminder of the hidden dangers lurking behind the noble pursuit of healing. In the early years of his career, Sukhera found himself engulfed in a relentless cycle of work. As a young physician with a burgeoning family, he felt compelled to excel in every aspect of his professional life, often at the expense of his own mental and physical well-being.
“I could work all day every day,” Sukhera recalled, reflecting on the insatiable drive that consumed him. Yet, despite his tireless efforts, he found himself teetering on the brink of burnout, with his personal life bearing the brunt of his professional fervor.
It was a pivotal moment of realization, a fleeting glimpse of his son’s apprehensive gaze, that served as a wake-up call for Sukhera. In that moment, he recognized the toll that his work addiction had exacted on his family life and resolved to break free from its suffocating grip.
Sukhera’s experience underscores a troubling trend within the medical community: the prevalence of work addiction among healthcare professionals. Often dismissed as mere dedication, work addiction represents a complex behavioral pattern characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with work and an inability to disengage, even at the cost of personal relationships and well-being.
Dr. Mark Griffiths, a distinguished professor and leading researcher in behavioral addiction, explains that work addiction shares striking similarities with other forms of addiction, such as gambling disorder. Like its counterparts, work addiction is fueled by a compulsive need for stimulation and gratification, leading individuals down a slippery slope of escalating work hours and neglect of self-care.
For physicians, the pressure to perform and the expectation of self-sacrifice only exacerbate the risk of succumbing to work addiction. Dr. Sukhera emphasizes that workaholism is not merely tolerated but ingrained within the fabric of medical culture, perpetuated by long-standing norms and institutional structures.
But recognizing work addiction is only the first step; addressing it requires a concerted effort to challenge ingrained beliefs and cultivate healthier coping mechanisms. Dr. Malissa Clark, an associate professor and expert in workplace dynamics, underscores the importance of self-compassion and setting boundaries as essential tools in combating work addiction.
Moreover, seeking support from peers and leveraging resources such as therapy and workplace wellness initiatives can provide crucial avenues for recovery. Dr. Sukhera’s advocacy for destigmatizing work addiction and promoting open dialogue within the medical community echoes a growing movement toward prioritizing physician well-being.
As healthcare professionals navigate the relentless demands of their profession, Dr. Sukhera’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of work addiction on individuals and families alike. By confronting the scourge of work addiction head-on, physicians can reclaim their lives and rediscover the balance between professional excellence and personal well-being.
