Behavioral Addiction

Certain behavior patterns can become problematic over time, when

• the point when behaviors become addictions
• specific behaviors that can become addictive

For example, some may agree that shopping, sex, and exercise addictions exist but question the idea that people can become addicted to Facebook.

However, the DSM-5 recognizes two behavioral addictions:

• gambling addiction
• internet gaming disorder

Note: there’s no official diagnostic criteria.

However, general sings of a potential behavioral addiction include:

• spending large amounts of time engaging in the behavior
• urges to engage in the behavior even if it negatively affects daily life, responsibilities, or relationships
• using the behavior to manage unwanted emotions
• hiding the behavior or lying to other people about time spent on it
• difficulty avoiding the behavior
• irritability, restlessness, anxiety, depression, or other withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit
• feeling compelled to continue the behavior even when it causes distress

Common behavioral addictions people often seek therapy and other professional support to address include:

• shopping addiction
• exercise addiction
• food addiction
• sex addiction
• TV addiction
• Facebook (social media) addiction

What do we do?

Therapy

A type of therapy known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) if often most helpful for behavioral addictions.

CBT focuses on paying attention to the thoughts and emotions that cause distress and learning how to reframe them in the moment. This, combined with more productive coping skills, can reduce the need for addictive behaviors.

Other types of therapy can also help address underlying issues that might play a role in behavioral addiction, like relationships concerns.

Other treatments

Self-help groups and other types of peer support can help with behavioral addiction, especially when used in combination with therapy.