I've spoken about this here and there, as something I once experienced. For most of the time I've been here, I've referred to it as depression. Because that is the label I first gave to it, and because that is easier than explaining it for what it really was or trying to get people to take the conclusion I came to seriously. I've also referred to it as simply a mental illness.
I was addicted to a tv series. Something seemingly innocent, even childish. Even so, it caused me serious problems. It made me suicidal.
I never saw a professional about it, and in the end I was (eventually, after many many, many failed attempts) able to resolve it on my own. Even if it hurt a lot, and I felt the damage it had caused in me for over a year afterwards.
Back then I labelled it depression, because my experiences seemed very similar to those suffering from depression. And it was, as a lot of the symptoms I experienced were the same as those listed in the DSM's entry on major depressive disorder.
I've also looked at the DSM's entry on addiction--though that entry only acknowledges drug and substance addiction. But psychological addiction exists, too. We've heard of video game addiction in recent years--that is similar to my own experience. I also recall hearing stories of people committing suicide over anime and rock music "obsessions"--so I'm not alone in my experience. It's a thing that actually exists, that actually can kill people, even if it's not as widespread as drug or alcohol addiction.
Even back before I labelled what I experienced was addiction or even as mental illness of any sort, I remember calling it an "unhealthy obsession". I realized it was causing me serious problems. But I couldn't stop.
I'm no longer suffering from it, and I've long since healed. I dealt with depression and stuff for a while after the addiction left, I think it messed up my brain for a bit and it had to have time to heal. But it did eventually heal and the depression left.
It no longer affects me, I guess I'm just trying to come to a better understanding of what happened to me. That includes reading up on addiction and whatnot. I'm loathe to explain it to too many people because of the stigma. Most of the time it's easier to just say it was depression.
I was addicted to a tv series. Something seemingly innocent, even childish. Even so, it caused me serious problems. It made me suicidal.
I never saw a professional about it, and in the end I was (eventually, after many many, many failed attempts) able to resolve it on my own. Even if it hurt a lot, and I felt the damage it had caused in me for over a year afterwards.
Back then I labelled it depression, because my experiences seemed very similar to those suffering from depression. And it was, as a lot of the symptoms I experienced were the same as those listed in the DSM's entry on major depressive disorder.
I've also looked at the DSM's entry on addiction--though that entry only acknowledges drug and substance addiction. But psychological addiction exists, too. We've heard of video game addiction in recent years--that is similar to my own experience. I also recall hearing stories of people committing suicide over anime and rock music "obsessions"--so I'm not alone in my experience. It's a thing that actually exists, that actually can kill people, even if it's not as widespread as drug or alcohol addiction.
Even back before I labelled what I experienced was addiction or even as mental illness of any sort, I remember calling it an "unhealthy obsession". I realized it was causing me serious problems. But I couldn't stop.
I'm no longer suffering from it, and I've long since healed. I dealt with depression and stuff for a while after the addiction left, I think it messed up my brain for a bit and it had to have time to heal. But it did eventually heal and the depression left.
It no longer affects me, I guess I'm just trying to come to a better understanding of what happened to me. That includes reading up on addiction and whatnot. I'm loathe to explain it to too many people because of the stigma. Most of the time it's easier to just say it was depression.