Is Being a Workaholic a Symptom of Anxiety or Depression?A new study finds a link between working all the time and mental health issues.

ByNina Zipkin

Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury | Getty Images

Dedication to your work is important, especially when you're launching a business, but according to a newstudy, an inclination to be on call or in the office 24/7 could actually be a symptom of a larger mental health issue.

Researchers from Norway's University of Bergen, Yale and Nottingham Trent University surveyed 16,426 Norwegian workers to explore a possible connection between workaholism and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. The study ultimately found that the workaholics in the bunch were more likely to meet the criteria for the disorders than their non-workaholic counterparts.

Related:The Secret to Increased Productivity: Taking Time Off

For example, 33.8 percent of workaholics met the criteria for anxiety compared to 12.7 percent of non-workaholics; 32.7 percent met the criteria for ADHD, while 12.7 percent of non-workaholics did the same; 25.6 percent of workaholics met OCD criteria to the 8.7 of non-workaholics; and 8.9 percent of workaholics met depression criteria compared to 2.6 percent of non-workaholics.

That workaholic distinction was assessed in part by the seven pointBergen Work Addiction Scalethat was developed in 2012 by the study's lead author, Dr. Cecilie Schou Andreassen.

Related:How the Founders of These 10 Fast-Growing Companies Unwind and Chill Out

The survey participants were asked torespondon a scale from one to five, "Never," "Rarely," "Sometimes," "Often" and "Always" to statements such as, "You think of how you can free up more time to work," "You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them" and "You become stressed if you are prohibited from working." Scoring four or five on four or more of the queries put individuals in the workaholic group.

Though the study's results were self-reported and were for just one country, in a statement from the University, Schou Andreassen said, "taking work to the extreme may be a sign of deeper psychological or emotional issues. In wait for more research, physicians should not take for granted that a seemingly successful workaholic does not have ADHD-related or other clinical features. Their considerations affect both the identification and treatment of these disorders."

Wavy Line
Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Report: AI Will Take More Jobs Away from Women Than Men

Automation is many things, but apparently, it is not gender-neutral.

Business News

What Is a 'Lazy Girl Job'? New TikTok Trend Empowers Women to Work However They Want

The trend began as a way for women to find more free time during their days.

Starting a Business

10 Common Obstacles to Avoid When Starting a Business

Starting a new business can be an exciting and rewarding venture, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Here are some common obstacles to avoid when starting a new business.

Growing a Business

3 Solutions That Help Alleviate Everyday Pressures Small Business Owners Face

We live in a world with increasing pressures from stakeholders, constantly changing customer expectations and volatile financial conditions — which for many, especially business owners — can make it hard to create clear distinctions between professional and personal emotions.

Starting a Business

所以你现在你Sta出售你的第一个业务rting a New One — Here's How to Make Sure It's a Success.

Starting a second company after selling your first can be daunting, but it's also an exciting opportunity to prove yourself and create something amazing.