What are the signs and symptoms of addiction?
The American Psychological Association reports ten diagnostic criteria for determining the extent of behavioral addiction. These criteria are: Preoccupation: Preoccupied with the activity (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past experiences, planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to do it more) Tolerance: Needs to risk increasing amounts of money, or increase participation in order to achieve the desired excitement Withdrawal: Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop the activity Escape: Uses the activity as a way of escaping from problems or relieving dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression) Chasing: After losing money at the activity, often returns another day in order to get even (“chasing one’s losses”). Chasing is a classical behavior pattern characterizing pathological behavior.
