In her Health class in the University, Maria asked her professor, “What is an addiction?” “An addiction is a physical or psychological dependence on a substance or activity that causes harm to the person,” he replied. Maria thought of her grandfather, who had smoked since he was young and always said he could quit the cigar if he wanted, but could not. The professor explained that addictions begin as a choice, but the person loses control over time and becomes dependent.
Then, Maria realized she was addicted to her phone and social media. There are lesser-known addictions compared to the more common ones, such as alcoholism or smoking. Here ten addictions or habits that also make many people sick.
1—Shopping. Oniomania is the irresistible compulsion to buy and overspend money. Women, especially, have an uncontrollable desire to shop, often driven by instant gratification or a sense of emotional relief. This addiction leads to mental disorders, financial conflicts, strained relationships, and feelings of guilt.
2—Gambling. Pathological gambling, or pathological gambling, is a form of addiction in which a person develops compulsive and uncontrollable behavior towards gambling. Addicts have an irresistible need to gamble, to bet increasing sums of money to feel excitement or satisfaction. Failed attempts to control gambling generate feelings of frustration and hopelessness.
3—Exercise. There is an obsession with extreme physical exercise and the constant need to improve physical appearance. Although exercise benefits health, some people, especially men, develop compulsive habit, leading to bodily injury, nutritional imbalances, and social isolation.
4—Workaholic. It is an excessive and compulsive obsession with work. Addicts devote too much time and energy to their work. Even during leisure time, they continue to think or worry about work tasks harming physical and mental health and personal relationships.
5—Sex. Hypersexuality is a compulsive obsession with sex and sexual activity. Addicts have an intense need to engage in sexual behaviors in a repetitive and uncontrolled manner. They then end up with intense feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse.
6—Food. The lack of control over the intake of foods high in fats and sugars leads to health problems and obesity. Food addiction is a way of coping with negative emotions, stress, or anxiety as a form of emotional comfort or escape. After binge eating, addicts feel intense guilt, shame, and regret due to a lack of control.
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7—Social networks. Addicts spend a lot of time on social media because they always need to check, post or interact with the content. Social networks encourage the search for approval and social validation through likes, comments, and followers. Addicts are obsessed with obtaining this validation and feel anxiety or discomfort when they do not get it.
8—Video games. Electronic gaming disorder, or online gaming disorder, is a pattern of problematic behavior that results in negative consequences in different areas of life. Addicts intend to play for a time-limited but extend it much longer than planned, neglecting essential responsibilities like work and family.
9—Pornography. Sexually explicit material use disorder is a pattern of problematic behavior in which a person develops a compulsive dependence on excessive consumption of pornographic material. This addiction hurts different areas of life, including mental health, personal relationships, and sex life. Over time, addicts develop a tolerance to porno, which means they need increasingly explicit content.
10—Smartphones. Nomophobia is an increasingly recognized and studied addiction. People addicted to their smartphones and apps feel the urge to use them all the time, even in situations that are not safe or inappropriate situations, like when driving or talking to someone in person. They also neglect personal and social relationships in favor of phone use, preferring to interact online rather than face-to-face. Headaches, eye fatigue, sleep difficulties, and mood swings can indicate smartphone addiction.
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🟧 ✳️ MORE DATA
Everyone experiences addictions differently. Treatment to cure a habit depends on the severity of the problem. Generally, treatments include individual or group therapy, medication, detoxification programs, and lifestyle changes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps treat addictions to work, shopping, social networking, gambling, and sex. This type of therapy helps identify negative thought patterns and harmful behaviors and provides strategies to modify them.
What are the weirdest addictions? Pulling out your hair until you eat it. Ingesting human and animal blood. Eating toilet paper. Licking cats. Eating dirt. Chewing glass, stones, or ice.
✅ Important. All addictions have serious repercussions, and it is essential to seek professional help. Consult your physician.
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