Addiction- Post 1 ("Behavioral Addictions")

Most people like to be in control of themselves. But, imagine if that is not possible? For 8-35 millioni people suffering from an impulse control disorder and therefore a behavioral addiction, this is their reality. Impulse control disorders are "manifested by an inability to control the frequency or extent of a certain behavior or the impulsive urges that cause the behavior." (Hollen) There are many impulse control disorders, including compulsive computer use, compulsive shopping, self-injury, intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, pathological gambling, pyromania, sexual addiction, and trichotillomania. Eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and obesity may also fall into this category. The biggest issue I see with these disorders are the fact that they are uncontrollable. It is so important for one to have some degree of self-control. Those suffereing from an impulse control disorder or behavioral addiction are not able to control the behaviors they participate in. Another issue is that so many cases are unrecognized, undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed. More often than not, individuals choose not to report their behavior because they are ashamed of it or when they go to a doctor they are diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorders. Though mental disorders and addictive behaviors "feed off of one another" (Hollen), it is important that the patient is diagnosed with both if both are present and treat each disease instead of just one. The last issue presented by this article that accompanies impulse control disorders are that "roughly 50 percent of people diagnosed with impulse control disorders also have a history of substance abuse." (Hollen) This is yet another problem with the disease becuase it adds on more addictions and also allows treatment for the substance abuse and not the impulse control disorder. I think that I will look into how these addictions are hidden, and how to break through the walls that society has created that makes individuals ashamed of their addictions and habitual behaviors and instead figure out at as soon as possible how to treat them.