Cutting is the most common form of self-injury. It involves making cuts or scratches on one’s body with any sharp object, such as knives, needles, blades, scissors, etc. If no such object is available, individuals will often resort to using their own fingernails. Common places on the body to cut include the arms, legs, and front of the torso.
Burning can occur via an actual flame to the skin or by heating something metal and pressing it to the skin (branding). Burning can also be done with a cigarette or other similar object. A friction burn occurs by rubbing something, such as a pencil eraser, on one’s skin.
Ludomania, more commonly known as, compulsive or problem gambling is an addictive behavior, in which an individual is preoccupied with gambling and continues to engage in this behavior, despite a desire to stop and/or adverse, negative consequences. As with other forms of addiction, the gambler develops tolerance and requires more of the gambling behavior to experience the same type of rush. The individual commonly experiences a loss of control and frequently lies and/or engages in illegal activity to continue his/her habit. In addition to severe financial consequences, social, occupational, and psychological functioning are significantly compromised.
Compulsive gambling is considered an impulse control disorder, therefore the American Psychological Association does not recognize it as an addiction. However, as described above, it shares many common characteristics evidenced in other addictions and responds positively to 12-step programs, popular with substance abuse disorders and eating disorders.
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Compulsive shopping, lesser known as omniomania, is a behavioral addiction, where shopping becomes the individual’s primary coping mechanism, pursued to excess, despite negative associated consequences. Social, financial, and occupational functioning is significantly impacted, yet the addict feels helpless to control his/her behavior.
Onset typically is in early adulthood, but can occur in the late teens. The prevalence of this addiction is thought to be approximately 8.9% of the U.S. population (Ridgway, et al., 2008). This disorder commonly co-occurs with other addictions such as, substance abuse, eating disorders, personality disorders, and impulse control disorders.
Similar to other addictions, the shopping addict is often consumed by thoughts, plans, rituals, and trips devoted to the act of shopping. Engaging in this behavior brings relief and feelings of pleasure. These feelings, however, are only transient and the addict soon needs to re-engage in the behavior, in what becomes a never ending cycle.
While video game addiction does not have nearly the physical health consequences of many of the other addictions, it is debilitating none the less. If you or your loved one spend an excessive amount of time playing video games, to the exclusion of one’s social, psychological, and occupational responsibilities, seek help. Balance is the key to happiness.