We all know about alcohol and drug addictions, but what about an addiction to exercise, or your mobile phone? We have the lowdown on the most modern maladies.
Are you exercising seven days a week? Do you get anxious when you lose your mobile phone or can not continuously check your emails? If so you might be gripped by a very modern addiction. Addictions are when a drug or behavior causes uncontrollable, compulsive drug- or behavior-seeking and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences. Though not all excessive behavior is an addiction. Many people enjoy regular gambling on the horses without it what psychologists would call an addiction. Read on for info on some of the most recognised modern addictions, and help and advice for overcoming them.
Exercising
What is the problem?
Everyone knows that exercise and keeping fit is important for health. Yet some people can become addicted to the post-exercise euphoria, while others suffer body dysmorphia, either seeing themsleves as too fat or lacking in muscle.
Ironically, extreme exercising – called over-training syndrome or burnout -can compromise performance, leading to physical and mental exhaustion, depression, weakened immunity or osteoarthritis at a frighteningly young age.
What can you do?
Keeping an excercise diary will help idetify how much exercise you are actually doing compared to other activities. If you feel pressured by other gym friends to workout excessively, then make a conscious decision to break away from them and hang out with other friends.
Computer games
What is the problem?
Video-game addiction is becoming so common that in Amsterdam there is a whole rehab centre dedicated to it. Playing video-games increases levels of dopamine, which elevates mood, yet there is also a psychological involvement as the addict is escaping the difficulties of reality. This is especially true for role-playing games, where the addict takes the role of a fictional character and interacts with other fictional characters.
Gaming addicts stop seeing friends or engaging in other social or sporting activities, are preoccupied with virtual relationships, allowing real ones to suffer; and often skip meals or stay up late playing on the computer.
What can you do?
If you can not get rid of computer games console completely, seeing a cognitive behavioural therapist and spending more time outdoors with friends will start the healing process.
Mobile phones
What is the problem?
Essentially, mobile phones keep people connected, and it is the feeling of beeing connected that is so addictive. In fact, most people would feel unnerved their mobile or Blackberries (also known as crackberries for a reason). Yet for some people leaving their phone at home can lead to a heighened state of anxiety, and if no-one phones or texts they can become angry or irritated as they feel isolated. Phone addicts can become so obsessed with their phone that they can become sleep deprived, waiting and staying awake just in case someone calls them.
What can you do?
What can look like addiction may be compulsive and obsessive behavior. With this in mind, congnitive behavioural therapy is a great way to help break the obsessive behavioural pattern.