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?
