Self-Sabotage Syndrome: Adult Children in the Workplace

by Janet Geringer Woititz

Do you feel overwhelmed by your job? Are you so stressed on the job that you have headaches or stomachaches and can't sleep at night? Do you spend too much of your time thinking and talking about your job? Do you feel responsible for everything that goes wrong at work? Are you loyal to your boss and co-workers, even when they don't deserve it? Do you work well under pressure but have trouble completing long-term projects? Adult children of alcoholics are among any company's most productive and valuable employees -- dedicated, conscientious, capable and eager to please. But if you are an Adult Child and have answered "yes" to most of the questions above, you may be suffering from workaholism, burn-out or other work-related problems. This book shows you what to look for and how to make your worklife more satisfying and effective.

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction

126 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1989

Reviews

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider this book If you're finding yourself dealing with trauma recovery and also having some repetitive struggles at work. This will help you get a game plan going to help you deal with the work struggles and bring some peace to that area of your life.

The second part of the book could use some editing; and much of the first part of the book could be cut; a reduction of 30% is called for. But even with this editing requirement, the book is still solid.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A needed complement to the author's earlier books, Adult Children of Alcoholics and Struggle For Intimacy. Along with romantic and family relationships, work is also a major part of most adults' lives, and the dynamics there can be just as challenging for people whose relationship role models in childhood weren't able to provide competent examples of how to handle everyday issues.

[Alie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book proved what an idiot I truly was. God Bless Jean Woitiz, that woman saved my sanity.

[Buffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because the Los Angeles public library system does not have a copy of "Lifeskills for Adult Children" (really, LAPL?), which is often recommended by Carolyn Hax of the Post. But I'm glad I read this one. Simple and profound, and applicable to children of dysfunction/codependency, not just alcoholics. If you've ever found yourself reacting in ways you can't understand at work, or repeating a pattern you feel helpless to interrupt, you will find great insight here. The only part that was somewhat out of place was the chapter for counselors. It is useful in a way but seems like it needed its own book rather than a chapter in this one. Highly recommend this author and will seek out more of her work.

[Magda w RPA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a disappointment. “Struggle for Intimacy” by the same author was a book that helped me tremendously in dealing with romantic relationships. Unfortunately, this one tries to cover too many things at the same time, including specific advice for affected religious practitioners as well as employers of adult children of alcoholics (and people from other types of emotionally dysfunctional families where a child had to learn how to constantly walk on eggshells and question the legitimacy of their feelings, to paraphrase the author). Seeing that the book is 129 pages long in the Kindle edition, the topic ends up being treated extremely superficially with few actionable recommendations for someone who’s been already working on their ACOC issues.

[Reanin Mcroberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because something has been feeling off at work and i can't put my finger on it.
At first i couldn't relate to the all the examples upfront. Like nope, not me, I'm hardly a perfectionist, workaholic, etc. (This was strange to me as i usually find bits and pieces of myself all over everything). There was nothing wrong with it, i highlighted a few gems, but it didn't really resonate. Oh good, I thought, maybe I'm not so dysfunctional after all! But Part II, Developing Healthy Patterns, was fire. The one thing i wish the author would have been clear on is how the opposite can also be true - acoa's annoy everyone with too many questions/acoa's never learned to ask or question.

[Elruin Elmsroot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books mostly talks about children who had alcoholic father/family members.
What problems they face because of that in the adulthood and how to cope with that is a major discussion in this book.
Then it talks about stress and stress related health problems and coping methods.

Then there are some common problems which arises in our daily life and their solutions in the late part of the book, which i have found quite valuable. Hence, the 3 star rating.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others said, it is pretty dry. It has good chunk on specific jobs (i.e. nurses, military) and how that looks in the workplace. While it is a good overall view of ACOA in the workplace, it did seem repetitive in various spots.

[Jonathan Bergh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a tough read but its good to knowledge.

[Dogsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it originally in the 1980s, way more meaningful and important now. Notes in Wellspring notebook. ACoAs--somewhat but not completely relevant to my experience

[Christel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed book, was very focused on perspective of working therapist. Wish it was more general for people not employed as a therapist.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. The qualities cited seem reflective of my observations of my sisters' difficulties in school and work, but I didn't really see myself in this one.

[Michelle Sweetland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, further making it very clear that we are products of our childhood but we can unlearn what we have learned with time and faith.

[David Mackey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important read, but could expand significantly on how to improve; somewhat dry read.

[Joy Cagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for anyone who grew up in an ACOA family!