Addictive Behaviors

Addictive Behaviors are those that a person becomes compelled to participate in to the point of obsession. They take over the person’s life on a daily basis. They begin to affect the individuals physical, social, and mental well being. These include pornography, the desire to be perfect, computer use, video games, shopping, and gambling. Researchers believe these Addictive Behaviors make a person feel good by producing beta endorphins in the brain. This is what keeps the person in the addictive cycle.

Causes Of Addictive Behavior

The causes of Addictive Behavior are not completely known. Some researchers believe it is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Others believe they are the result of heredity and environmental factors. Genetics is also believed to play a role. It is believed that people who have the “addictive personality trait” predisposes them to participate in such behaviors. This issue is widely debated in the medical field. The fact that there is no determined cause for addictive behavior makes the diagnosis and treatment very difficult.

Symptoms Of Addictive Behavior

A person suffering for addictive behavior becomes obsessed with the behavior. They may on some level know it is wrong so they hide it from their spouse, friends, and family. They continue to engage in the behavior even if it creates issues in their relationships, career, or financially. A person with an addictive behavior may want to stop but doesn’t have the willpower to follow through. They can suffer withdrawal symptoms when the don’t engage in the addictive behavior including irritability, restlessness, and depression. Another indicator is not being able to limit the behavior. Setting a limit for shopping or gambling and then not being able to stick to it is a huge sign of addictive behavior. Low self esteem is also common.

Treatment Of Addictive Personality Traits

Treatment varies depending on the severity of the addictive behavior. Generally counseling is involved to identify the triggers of the addiction. A plan is deviced to come up with ways to cope with the addiction. If possible the triggers of the behavior are removed. For example shopping addictions and gambling addictions are controlled by removing money and credit cards from the person so they have no means for engaging in the addictive behavior.

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