ARTICLE

Behavioural addictions

Normally, when we speak about addictions we immediately think about serious problems or disseases such as alcoholism, drug addiction or smoking dependence. However, we are not concerned enough about some other new harmful tendencies or behaviours that are occurring lately. But what are these damaging tendencies?

It seems that in our modern life we are changing our habits because of the need to live in comfort. Therefore, we do some activities in order to increase our positive feelings, believing in ourself, reducing the stress and the loneliness, among others. The number of these unsafe activities is endless and includes compulsive attachments to smart phones, plastic surgery, sun beds, overexercise and even shopping.

According to experts, behavioural addictions can be as serious as addicted to drink or drugs. Despite the fact that some things are apparently innocuous can be a destructive weapon in the future, wreaking our lives. Besides, Dr Robert Lefever believes that compulsive behaviour is often obvious itself in clusters. For instance, he thinks that one disorder is related with others and says that the “eating disorder cluster” includes shopping and spending, work, cosmetic surgery and exercise; the “hedonistic cluster” includes alcohol, drugs, caffeine, sex and gambling; and the “relationship cluster” includes compulsive helping of others and addiction to love and being in love.

Fortunately, addictions are treatable nowadays. There are specific treatments to overcome these problems by means of psycotherapy or staying in a clinic in the most critical cases. Nonetheless, avoiding being obsessed with something and enjoying the things and the people around us can be the perfect way to live plenty of happiness.