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The group of behavioral addictions includes complex and diverse symptoms associated with frequent and repetitive performance of the same activities or entire groups of activities. Most often, repeating them causes positive feelings in people with behavioral addictions, such as pleasure, euphoria, satisfaction or relief. Behavioral addictions were first diagnosed and described by Austrian psychoanalyst Otto Fenichel in 1945. In the currently used classification of diseases, behavioral addictions are classified as disorders of habits and drives.
Characteristics of behavioral addictions
The set of behaviors and activities, the repeated repetition of which may turn into a behavioral addiction, grows from the moment of distinguishing this group of disorders. The most common addictions to the activities performed include addictions to:
- internet,
- gambling
- computer games,
- food,
- work,
- shopping,
- mobile phone,
- TV,
- sex,
- sunbathing,
- healthy eating and lifestyle,
- religious practices,
- care for the figure,
- weight loss,
- physical exercise,
- make-up and care for appearance,
- alcohol,
- medical and cosmetic procedures.
The frequent repetition of these behaviors can be considered a behavioral addiction. A specific feature is the fact that patients affected by behavioral addictions are unable to overcome the need to repeat them. Therefore, these are intrusive, sometimes neurotic behaviors, disrupting the proper functioning of the human body, and often destructive. Often the mechanism behind the development of behavioral addictions is the need for reward, that is, the achievement of pleasure. Satisfying it may be associated with various behaviors, the execution of which brings a sense of fulfillment and reduces internal tension. For this reason, behavioral addictions can be viewed as a type of psychological addiction.
Diagnosis of behavioral addictions
Behavioral addictions are characterized by the following features:
- strong need to perform certain activities repeatedly,
- inability to give up taking a given activity,
- the appearance of symptoms typical of a withdrawal syndrome when performing a given activity cannot be performed,
- resignation from other sources that bring satisfaction (e.g. participation in social and family life),
- increasing tolerance to experiencing pleasure,
- the intensity of performing a specific disturbed activity increases with time,
- general mood and well-being depends on the ability to perform a given activity,
- troublesome relapses when trying to stop performing a given activity.
Social acceptance for behavioral addictions
It should be noted that people with behavioral addictions show the same symptoms as people addicted to taking chemicals. In both cases, there is an excessive need to meet a specific need, combined with losing control over it and subordinating it to your everyday life. Despite these similarities, many of the behavioral addictions are either socially accepted or considered the norm. This situation mainly concerns workaholism or addiction to diet and weight loss, which in some social groups are the applicable norms.
Behavioral addictions in children
Children can also suffer from behavioral addictions. They most often relate to the need to use a mobile phone, exercise, access to the Internet or TV, and play computer games.
In the case of children, a common symptom and a potential cause of behavioral addiction is a weakened, insufficient bond with parents or other family members. Also, other disorders occurring during the educational process may translate into addiction to performing a specific activity. It is estimated that children who grew up in an atmosphere of physical violence or who were disconnected from their parents are more prone to behavioral addictions.
Moreover, a significant part of behavioral addictions results from the development of civilization and the conditions of the functioning of the society. This influence also affects our children, who grow up in a world of easily accessible and attention-grabbing media. Most often, they are unaware of falling into behavioral addictions. Therefore, parents suspecting a behavioral addiction should consult a psychologist.