Self-Sabotage Syndrome - Janet G. Woititz

Aug 2, 2026

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A nonfiction work examining how growing up in dysfunctional families—especially among adult children of alcoholics—shapes adult functioning in the workplace. It explains how workplace feelings, relationships, and performance are influenced by early experiences, including control needs, fear of rejection, and difficulty saying no. By defining a cluster of workplace-related symptoms as the Self-Sabotage Syndrome, the book guides readers to understand recurring doubts, self-image damage, and patterns that undermine success.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages174

Reading Time7 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

[OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) To my family at work who have demonstrated that caring, awareness, hard work and commitment make a healthy environment possible. And to my family at home who have demonstrated that caring, awareness, hard work and commitment make a healthy environment possible. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The impact of growing up in a dysfunctional family is experienced in every aspect of adult life. The workplace is no exception. In order to demonstrate the ways in which the work environment becomes a home away from home, I drew on both my own clinical experience and that of a number of colleagues. I acknowledge the assistance of the following consultants: Chapters 9 and 10 draw heavily on conversations with Mel Sandler, M.S.W. Mel is Managing Director of the Institute for Counseling and Training, West Caldwell, New Jersey. His career includes extensive involvement in workplace settings, counseling employees and training management personnel to deal with employees with personal problems. Settings in which he has worked include United Airlines; the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees; and the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union. He currently acts as a consultant in corporate workplace settings. Other chapters beneﬁted from the input of: Administrative Gyni Garner, M.S.W.—Charlotte, North Carolina Bob Lynn, N.C.C., C.A.C.—Piscataway, New Jersey Kerry Peltier, M.A., C.A.C.—Verona, New Jersey Professional Pat Clyne, B.A., R.N.—Astoria, New York Kathi Goode, M.A.—Montclair, New Jersey Rev. James Mahoney, Ph.D. —Chatham, New Jersey Audrey Roberts, M.A.—Montclair, New Jersey Clinical George Brines, A.A.S., C.A.C.—Lafayette, Indiana Dana Finnegan, Ph.D.—South Orange, New Jersey Emily McNally, M.A.—New York, New York Martha MooreRussell, Ph.D.—Princeton, New Jersey Amy Stromsten, C.A.C.—Cambridge, Massachusetts Bick Wanck, M.D.—Conifer Park, New York Research Coleen Peruo, B.A.—East Rutherford, New Jersey Patrick Peruo, Ph.D.—East Rutherford, New Jersey General Jackson Braider, M.A.—New York, New York Ed Gogek, M.D.—Providence, Rhode Island Matt Johnson, B. S.W.—Anchorage, Alaska Marilyn Stager—Hawthorne, New Jersey Lisa Woititz, B.A.—Montclair, New Jersey Employee Assistance Programs Debby Bem, M.S.W.—New Rochelle, New York Leighton Clark, M.S.W.—Chicago, Illinois Betty-Ann Weinstein, M.S.W.—Washington, D.C. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) PREFACE When I wrote the book Adult Children of Alcoholics, it was with children of alcoholics in mind. Since its publication in 1983, it has become clear that what is true for children of alcoholics is just as true for children growing up in other types of dysfunctional families. If you did not grow up with alcoholism, but lived, for example, with other compulsive behaviors, such as gambling, drug abuse or overeating, experienced chronic illness, profound religious attitudes, were adopted, lived in foster care or in other potentially dysfunctional systems, there is a good chance that you will identify with the characteristics described for adult children of alcoholics. That is why I have used the term adult children in the subtitle of this book without being more speciﬁc. The term adult children has come to indicate those adults who grew up in a variety of dysfunctional families and need to improve the relationship they have with the child part of themselves. This problematic relationship causes diﬀicultyin all aspects of their lives. The workplace is no exception. The cluster of symptoms that relate to diﬀiculties in the workplace is described in this book (formerly titled Home Away from Home) . I deﬁne these symptoms as the SelfSabotage Syndrome. —Janet G. Woititz [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) INTRODUCTION The impact of growing up with alcoholism pervades every aspect of adult life. It inﬂuences feelings of self, relationships and one’s ability to get things don

FAQs

What does the Self-Sabotage Syndrome refer to?

It refers to a cluster of symptoms related to difficulties in the workplace, described as stemming from growing up in dysfunctional families and impacting adult relationships with the inner “child part” of self.

How does growing up in a dysfunctional family affect adult life at work?

The impact shows up in feelings of self, relationships, and the ability to get things done, regardless of whether the setting is home, social life, or workplace.

Why does the book connect common workplace issues to childhood experiences?

It explains that similar dynamics can appear differently in different environments; workplace behavior may reflect reactions to earlier experiences such as anarchy at home or fear of rejection.

Aug 2, 2026

Upload by Asher