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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chan Fook on January 22, 2011, at 2:35:55
Hello readers,
I've recently stumbled upon this disorder, and it interested me a lot, because all the symptoms and behaviors of those that are diagnosed with this seem to fit me, well, too perfectly as it where. I have mainly behavioral addictions, or rather compulsive impulses if you want to call it that, but also give in easily to coffee (funnily enough) and cigarettes on occasions too, although the substance abuse I can easily stop for some reason, my behaviors less so (I remember smoking for 3 months and quiting cold turkey and thinking nothing of it with hardly an urge, which is very strange).
My issue is, how do I tackle this if I have it? I didn't want to post it in the medication/alternative section because I'd rather have a broad discussion than limited to treating symptoms and tackling the problem from the root. Has anyone else been diagnosed with this, and if so, what steps have you taken to help you deal with it? What would you recommend to someone that believes they have it (I don't have the funds for a therapist, but I live in the UK so my GP is free)?
If this is the wrong section then please say.
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.
Posted by Chan Fook on January 24, 2011, at 9:20:42
In reply to Re: Addictive Personality Disorder, how to approach? » Chan Fook, posted by Dinah on January 22, 2011, at 8:54:39
Hey Dinah thanks for the reply sorry for the late response on my behalf,
Well, what can I say, are there healthier ways to be an addict? I'm not sure. I'm not sure about you, but when I'm working on assignments in university, I'll have bursts of concentration and ability to focus at my task at hand without my addictions destroying my focus, but these don't last long (3-4 days) and in between my focus is horrid and I cannot focus on my work as my brain is clouded on surfing the net, sex, what not.
I think for me, it is not so much an issue with switching habbits, unfortunately most of mine have been ongoing and the same since an early age, with caffeine being a relatively recent addition a couple of years back. Problem is, I admit I've got this addiction problem, I realize that it's ruining or lowering my quality of life, but I simply can't get away from doing these things. To put it figuratively, imagine you're an alcoholic, and next to your workdesk you have a huge bottle of whiskey tempting you throughout your day. The whiskey bottle is the metaphor for me being distracted whilst working, and how impossible it is for me to fight temptation. I'll give you an example of what this does to me:
So I'm doing my work, whatever, and suddenly, BAM, I get this thought in my head to surf the net, waste time, watch a porno, whatever, but the thing is, I simply can't get this thought out of my head. It eats up inside of me and I feel like I have no control over what I'm doing until I'm satisfied I've wasted enough time (j*ck*d *ff, or whatever. p.s. if I'm too open in my habbits, sorry, but I don't want to live in denial) then I get into a feeling of horrible regret and think "Oh god not again". I know that these things aren't inherently addictive like cocaine or heroin, but I simply can't stop myself, I'm not in control of my body when I have an urge to do anything I'm addicted to, and it's affecting my life.
I'm glad that you find enjoyment in those games, that's great. I have unfortunately grown out of my games, I find them fun now and again. Thing is, with computer use especially, you can't "up your dose" as it were, I sit on the pc and mindlessly browsing the internet, and I'm at my same "dose" (or lower in fact, since I'm not having as much fun as before) as when the first time I hopped on and was intrigued by it in the first place.
One thing though, that cured me (albeit temporarily until the effect "wore" off) was the feeling of being in love. I remember the first time I met my girlfriend and we spent 3 weeks together. I didn't have an urge in the world other than my sexual needs (though these were lower than usual, to the point of normal I guess you could say). But after that we didn't see each other for a while, and as you know, first times never come back no matter how hard you try to replicate the same conditions. But yeah, that's probably the closest I've been to fixing myself you could say. Although obviously I can't say: "I would prescribe love, in high high doses"
Anyway I don't know what else to say really. I know I've mystified or sort of made what I wrote to continually refer back to analogies to make it sound easier what I'm trying to say. I hope it makes sense.
I know this might sound like a load of babble, but hey, I'm on this website so maybe I won't sound that messed up.
Posted by Dinah on January 24, 2011, at 10:13:51
In reply to Re: Addictive Personality Disorder, how to approach?, posted by Chan Fook on January 24, 2011, at 9:20:42
I think there's likely a difference between an addictive personality and an addiction. What you're describing is an addiction. There are a fair number of sex addiction specialists out there. You can find help for this.
I agree that once an addiction exists, simple substitution likely won't be helpful.
This is the end of the thread.
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