Working hard and being dedicated to your career may actually be a bad thing, says new research.

A study out this week reveals that staying late in the office and regularly skipping plans with friends to do work could be symptomatic of an actual work addiction.

The Bergen Work Addiction Scale was devised by clinical psychologist Dr Cecilie Andreassen and her team at the University of Bergen after testing 12,000 Norwegian workers from 25 different industries.

Based around the answers to just seven simple questions, the scale rates the kind of behaviour displayed by workaholics; behaviour similar to that shown in all kinds of addicts, from drug users to alcoholics and gamblers.

Take the test below to find out if you’re a workaholic

Look at each of the following statements and rank yourself on each one according to the following:

1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often and 5 = Always

1. You think of how you can free up more time to work

2. You spend much more time working than initially intended

3. You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness and depression

4. You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them

5. You become stressed if you are prohibited from working

6. You prioritise work over hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise

7. You work so much it has negatively influenced your health

If you score 4 (Often) or 5 (Always) on four or more of these seven statements it may suggest you are a workaholic. Seek help at www.actiononaddiction.org.uk

What do you think? Will you be cutting back on work now you've taken the test? Tell us your thoughts on Twitter or in the comments section below.

Picture credit: Rex