You don't smoke, don't drink too much alcohol, don't get drugs. You think "I'm free of any addiction". But are you sure? Maybe you're not? Let's see on some
UNTYPICAL ADDICTIONS
by Michał Bil
Workaholism
Workaholism is addiction to work.The phrase workaholic does not always imply that the person actually enjoys their work, but rather simply feels compelled to do it. There is no generally accepted medical definition of such a condition, although some forms of stress, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder can be work-related.
Workaholism is not the same as working hard. Despite logging
in an extraordinary amount of hours and sacrificing their health and loved ones for their jobs, workaholics
are frequently ineffective employees.
Although the term workaholic usually
has a negative connotation, it is sometimes used by people wishing to express their devotion to one's career
in positive terms. The "work" in question is usually associated with a paying job, but it may also refer
to independent pursuits such as sports, music and art.
A workaholic in the negative sense is popularly characterized by a neglect of family and other social relations.
Experts say the incessant work-related activity masks anxiety, low self-esteem, and intimacy problems. And as with addictions to alcohol, drugs or gambling, workaholics' denial
and destructive behavior will persist despite feedback from loved ones or danger signs such
as deteriorating relationships. Poor health is another warning sign. Because there's less of a social stigma attached to workaholism than to other addictions, health symptoms can easily go undiagnosed or unrecognized, say researchers. Workaholics feel the urge of being busy all
the time, to the point that they often perform tasks that aren't required or necessary for project completion. As a result, they tend to be inefficient workers, since they focus on being busy, instead of focusing on being productive. In addition, workaholics tend to be less effective than other workers because it's difficult for them to be team players, they have trouble delegating
or entrusting co-workers, or they take on so much that they aren't as organized as others. Furthermore, workaholics often suffer sleep deprivation which results in impaired brain
and cognitive function.
Like with other psychological addictions, workaholics are unable to see
that they have a problem. Confronting the workaholic will generally meet with denial.
Co-workers, family members and friends may need to engage in some type of an intervention
to communicate the effects of the workaholic’s behavior on them. Indeed, mental treatment
to cure a workaholic can successfully reduce the hours spent on the job, while increasing
the person's productivity. Studies show that fully recovered former workaholics are able
to accomplish in 50 hours what they previously couldn't do in 80.
Workaholism in Japan is considered a serious social problem leading to early death, often on the job, a phenomenon dubbed karōshi. If you want to know more, just watch the film at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C_roXUPYbs
Workaholism is not the same as working hard. Despite logging
in an extraordinary amount of hours and sacrificing their health and loved ones for their jobs, workaholics
are frequently ineffective employees.
Although the term workaholic usually
has a negative connotation, it is sometimes used by people wishing to express their devotion to one's career
in positive terms. The "work" in question is usually associated with a paying job, but it may also refer
to independent pursuits such as sports, music and art.
A workaholic in the negative sense is popularly characterized by a neglect of family and other social relations.
Experts say the incessant work-related activity masks anxiety, low self-esteem, and intimacy problems. And as with addictions to alcohol, drugs or gambling, workaholics' denial
and destructive behavior will persist despite feedback from loved ones or danger signs such
as deteriorating relationships. Poor health is another warning sign. Because there's less of a social stigma attached to workaholism than to other addictions, health symptoms can easily go undiagnosed or unrecognized, say researchers. Workaholics feel the urge of being busy all
the time, to the point that they often perform tasks that aren't required or necessary for project completion. As a result, they tend to be inefficient workers, since they focus on being busy, instead of focusing on being productive. In addition, workaholics tend to be less effective than other workers because it's difficult for them to be team players, they have trouble delegating
or entrusting co-workers, or they take on so much that they aren't as organized as others. Furthermore, workaholics often suffer sleep deprivation which results in impaired brain
and cognitive function.
Like with other psychological addictions, workaholics are unable to see
that they have a problem. Confronting the workaholic will generally meet with denial.
Co-workers, family members and friends may need to engage in some type of an intervention
to communicate the effects of the workaholic’s behavior on them. Indeed, mental treatment
to cure a workaholic can successfully reduce the hours spent on the job, while increasing
the person's productivity. Studies show that fully recovered former workaholics are able
to accomplish in 50 hours what they previously couldn't do in 80.
Workaholism in Japan is considered a serious social problem leading to early death, often on the job, a phenomenon dubbed karōshi. If you want to know more, just watch the film at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C_roXUPYbs
Internet addiction
Internet addiction disorder (IAD), or, more broadly, Internet overuse, problematic computer use or pathological computer use, is excessive computer use that interferes with daily life. These terms avoid the distracting and divisive term addiction and are not limited to any single cause. 
Online activities which, if done in person, would normally be considered troublesome, such as compulsive gambling
or shopping, are sometimes called net compulsions. Others, such as reading or playing computer games, are troubling only to the extent that these activities interfere
with normal life. Supporters of disorder classification often divide IAD into subtypes by activity, such as excessive, overwhelming, or inappropriate pornography use, gaming, online social networking, bloggingJ, email, or Internet shopping. Opponents note that compulsive behaviors may not themselves be addictive.
Online activities which, if done in person, would normally be considered troublesome, such as compulsive gambling
or shopping, are sometimes called net compulsions. Others, such as reading or playing computer games, are troubling only to the extent that these activities interfere
with normal life. Supporters of disorder classification often divide IAD into subtypes by activity, such as excessive, overwhelming, or inappropriate pornography use, gaming, online social networking, bloggingJ, email, or Internet shopping. Opponents note that compulsive behaviors may not themselves be addictive.
Tanorexia
Tanning addiction is a rare syndrome where an individual appears to have
a physical and/or psychological addiction to sunbathing or the use
of tanning beds. The mechanism
of the addiction is unknown at this time.
Although the syndrome has not been officially described by the medical community, it may include the following reported symptoms:
· intense anxiety if a session
of tanning is missed
· competition among peers to see which can get the darkest tan
· chronic frustration about the color of one's skin, with the affected person being convinced his
or her complexion is constantly lighter
than it actually is.
a physical and/or psychological addiction to sunbathing or the use
of tanning beds. The mechanism
of the addiction is unknown at this time.
Although the syndrome has not been officially described by the medical community, it may include the following reported symptoms:
· intense anxiety if a session
of tanning is missed
· competition among peers to see which can get the darkest tan
· chronic frustration about the color of one's skin, with the affected person being convinced his
or her complexion is constantly lighter
than it actually is.
Bigorexia
Muscle dysmorphia (bigorexia) is a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that he or she is not muscular enough. Those who suffer from muscle dysmorphia tend to hold delusions that they are "skinny" or "too small" but are often above average in musculature. Sometimes referred to as bigorexia, reverse anorexia nervosa, or the Adonis Complex, muscle dysmorphia is a very specific type of body dysmorphic disorder.
In this disorder a person is preoccupiedwith thoughts concerning appearance, especially musculature. Improving becomes addiction to them. Muscle dysmorphia
is strictly connected with selective attention: individuals selectively focus their attention on perceived defect
(too skinny body, underweight etc.).
They are hypervigilant to even small deviations from perceived ideal and they ignore information that their body image is not consistent with reality.
Muscle dysmorphia can cause people to:
· Constantly examine themselves in a mirror
· Frequently compare themselves with others
· Hate their reflections
· Become distressed if they miss a workout session or one
of their many meals a day
· Become distressed if they do not receive enough protein
per day in their diet
· Take potentially dangerous anabolic steroids
· Neglect jobs, relationships, or family because of excessive exercising
· Have delusions of being underweight or below average in musculature.
Funeral addiction
Do you think it is possible to be addicted to going on funerals? If not, read that: Luis Squarisi, 42, from Batatais Brazil has attended every funeral in his home town for the past twenty years citing the death of his father in 1983 as the beginning of his morbid addiction. He later quit his job to continue his addiction. 
"The first thing I do every morning
is turn on the radio to find out if anyone has died," said Luis. "If I don't hear it on the radio
I call the hospitals and local funeral home."
Funeral home spokesperson,
SO Vicente said, "We don't want him to go
to therapy, everyone expects to see him at
the funerals. He is famous already."
"The first thing I do every morning
is turn on the radio to find out if anyone has died," said Luis. "If I don't hear it on the radio
I call the hospitals and local funeral home."
Funeral home spokesperson,
SO Vicente said, "We don't want him to go
to therapy, everyone expects to see him at
the funerals. He is famous already."
Photos from:
What do you think about this addictions? Are they really dangerous? Have you heared
about some other "interesting" addictions?
about some other "interesting" addictions?
I am surprised, that something like that exist as funneral addiction. I don't understand how it is possible be dependent on going to funerals. For me irrespective of who is dying it is sad events. Don't I know whether it is some type of the masochism? As for remaining addictions for me a dependence on the work is strange. I as the comfortable and very lazy man am not able oneself to addicton from the work... but from lying in the sun - yes!
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ReplyDeleteI wouldn't ever think, that something like tannorexia or bigorexia exists an that it's even defined (by the way, they are interesting examples of making new words - tannorexia... well said) and I'm really suprised of the man, who's addicted to funerals. But I think, that those unusual forms of addiction are dangerous, athough maybe not as much as the best known ones - they have an influence on physical and mental health, contacts with friends, family... .
ReplyDeleteAbout another not very common addictions - my frieds say, that I'm addicted to tea. I love tea. I enjoy trying new kinds of it. I can drink it all the time. But - of course! - it's any addiction! ;)
Hello, my name is Monika and I'm addicted to the Internet ;) That's sad but it's true, I can't imagine life without it... I've hearnd about tannorexia but I would never think that someone can be addicted to the funerals! It's crazy and scary ;) I've also heard about a guy from Sweden who claimed that he's addicted to... heavy metal and that's the reason why he can't work normally. What is funny, he proved it and he's boss must give him a leave when he has to go on the concert of his favourite band, it's totally crazy ;) It shows that nowadays people can be addicted just to everything ;)
ReplyDeleteI could introduce myself the same like Monika :D
ReplyDeleteI've been addicted to the Internet also, since a couple of years yet ;> It's very hard to me to live without it! Recently, I've cancelled my accounts on most of the social network sites I'd frequented because I've found my engagement abusive ;)However, I can't cancel all of it because we interchange the information concerning studies with my group aso it's very helpful ;)
Regarding to the other addictions mentioned by Michał, I wouldn't call it untypical- just the opposite, I think workaholism, tanorexia and bigorexia are very typical nowadays... Maybe funeral addiction is an exception, but it isn't even an addiction, it's a pure pathology for me :P
I think that really dengerous for young people addition is internet. Nowadays already six-years children can operate a computer. Furthermore they serving by the net for hours and forget about everything, e.g. homework, playing with other children, reading books and sometimes even eating...I know a few girls and boys, who are addicted to sunbathing. In every time of the year they are tanned and look like Black people. However we should know that sunbathing in tube under radiation UV is very denegrous and can lead to terminal illness sach as cancer and they skin look terribly.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that a serious problem which may leads to workaholism is being in quest for money. Lot of young people who have just graduated from University start their first serious job in big company or corporation. They realized that if they work harder they will earn more money - they can afford to buy their own flet, furnish it or purchase a new car. This situation leads to addict.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I’ve heard about funeral and tanning addictions. I’m in shock, that people can be so enslaved. It’s sad, I think. They cannot exist normally, because they think about one things all the time. And that’s way they fail in one’s duties.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion addictions, such as alcoholism or nicotinism, are dangerous, because they have negative influence on our body and health.
For me, all the addictions are quite terryfying because they pick up human independency. Some of them aren't dangerous, like funeral addiction which is only strange. But a big part of them can have very nagative consequences.
ReplyDeleteI think that every addiction is bad. If a person comes to the point where he/she does not have a choice whether to do something or not, and instead feels that he/she must do it, they lose their peace and in a way their freedom. It has many negative effects on them, because they are hardly ever satisfied and constantly feel stressed. I believe addictions such as the ones described in the presentation could be dangerous because they could completely dominate the life of the addicted person.
ReplyDeleteThose untypical addictions mentioned above by Michał are interesting. But I would like to say what is the silliest addiction in my opinion. It signs when young people smoke just because or because it suits to their image. This kind of addiction is really dangerous for their minds more than internet.
ReplyDeleteWell I support Kalina points of view. I think those addictions are effect of wrong upbringing and smoking is great example. Young people can be easily influnced by others espeacially when they don't have their own point of view or when it's being created. They follow others not to be left alone or just to feel better. Than latter when they grow up something similar can happen. Plus we have to mention self control which also is important factor in fighting or preventing addictions.
ReplyDeleteProbably almost all of old people in Poland are addicted to funerals:) They don't have money to spend their retirement in Hawaii so they spend a lot of time in cemetery, but it's a sad situation.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I read an article about new addiction, to Facebook:) It's funny, because if you want to be popular, on the time etc. you should have this addiction. I'm a person who don't like and use all this social platform, but when I hear my friend that he need to go back home to take care of his artificial garden I almost laugh.
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ReplyDeleteYes, this addictions are really dangerous. Every addiction is dangerous. We can't think that for example dependance on alkohol is worst than dependance on internet. Every addictions are illness, and people who suffer for they have a problem and should heal.
ReplyDeleteI don't know any "interesting" addiction. But I think that every addiction is the same, has the same symptoms etc.
At the firs time I have heared about funeral addiction and I can't imagine that someone can suffer from it. Most of this addiction are strane but all of them are more or less dangerous. When someone can't do and think about anythin else except only one thing it is a sirious proble, however this thing look like quite normal or really strange.
ReplyDeleteSome of this addictions are... unusual. I don't belive funeral addiction exists. However people always like watching cruel situations and unwell people. So maybe it's true. It's sad.
ReplyDeleteAnd all of addictions is sad because they mean people lose their freedom. I hear about addiction to shopping. It concerns women in generally. New clothes are obsession, new shoes are the aim of life. It's humilitating...
Every kind of addiction is, and should be seen as dangerous because it takes away rational thinking and independence of mind. Strange is only how variable it can be- it appears that one can get addicted to almost everything. I also consider addictions as indicators of some kind of emotional disorder which may lead to other problems, commonly, one addiction may turn into another- even more serious.
ReplyDeleteFrankly speaking, I think that we all are a little addicted to small, usual and daily things such as mobile phone, access to the Internet, TV or even a shower. Even a trial to live without some of them would be tough for me.
Our world is changing...in the past it wasn't something like workholism or internet addictions-maybe because there wasn;t an internet:) But it really becoming an serious disease.
ReplyDeleteBut there is a one addiction that I don't know it exist, I mean funeral additions. I can't understand how people can be additon to someones death...