Posted by Dinah on January 22, 2011, at 8:54:39
In reply to Addictive Personality Disorder, how to approach?, posted by Chan Fook on January 22, 2011, at 2:35:55
It sounds rather like me. I come from a long line of addicts, mainly gambling and alcohol. While I have no liking for the sensations involved in gambling, and I've been very careful all my life with alcohol, I do find that I tend to have behavioral addictions. My therapist definitely thinks of me in that light, although I suspect it's at least partially because he wishes me to be a nail since he loves using his hammer.
I wish I knew a way to fix myself. The best I've come up to is to try to direct myself towards healthy or at least healthier behaviors. For example, sitting and playing endless games of Bubbled or Bejeweled would not a good idea because it would keep me from working. But doing it when I'm upset is actually pretty effective and a non-harmful way of calming myself. I've known people who have replaced harmful addictions to alcohol or food with "healthy" addictions to running or twelve step meetings.
I'm trying hard to channel the behaviors into work, but with limited success so far. Even though I don't actually find doing my work more objectionable than playing bubbles.
Can you think of healthier ways to be addicted?
Do you find that your attention falls into ruts and is hard to change? I've often thought that I'm fine if I can channel my attention into work. It's even hard to tear that attention away. It's getting my thoughts to fall in the direction I want them to fall that is the difficulty.
poster:Dinah
thread:977657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20101228/msgs/977670.html