Behavioral Addiction

Here are some examples of behavioural addictions. Eating disorder is one of it, because some individuals overeat to the point of obesity, other consume large amount of food and then prevent its assimilation by vomiting or using laxatives, and still others starve themselves so as to be thin. All of these are considered to be addictive behaviour with no clear etiology. Gambling, a gambler behaves mindlessly and irresponsibly, losing money, depriving the family, and harming the community, he/she is often treated as a criminal, rejected, or punished by friends and society alike.Work, it implies that the person who spends much time at the office or studying, if it brings more money, job promotion, or better grades, is "being productive’’ because for them “work hard, play hard, save your money and everything in this world could be yours”. Computers, as the years past by, home computers, computer games or online games, computer addicts and hackers increased. They are generally highly intelligent and good at problem solving and mathematics. Even though they often are above average in intelligence, many flunk out of school, repeatedly lose jobs, lose contact with friends, and become alienated from their families. Compulsive computer interactors have been known to spend hours at the console without eating, bathing, or sleeping. When deprived of the computer, they go through withdrawal symptoms of irritability and anxiety.Exercise, excessive participation in various physical activities has overtones of addictive behavior. The extreme commitment has been shown in some cases to be self-destructive and harmful to the individuals. They commit themselves to extreme exercise in order to establish identity. Like anorexics, compulsive runners tend to be high achievers from affluent families. The obsession with the activity usually begins at a time of heightened stress. The elevated mood change or "high" experienced by long distance runners is thought to serve as a reinforcer for the...