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Post by Emilysmom on Jul 8, 2006 7:26:29 GMT -5
Did anyone else watch the program on TV last night.........can't remember if it was Dateline or 20/20 or whatever, but it was really interesting! There was a segment on something called "soft addictions" that I watched with interest!
The examples they gave were things like biting fingernails, overshopping, being chronically late for appointments, and even being a messsy housekeeper. The "expert" on the program said that all of these things are examples of things that people do to "soothe" themselves or to fill a gap in their lives. As I watched this, my mind began to wander to my family and friends..........wondering if any of their behaviors were actually "soft addictions". The first one to come to mind is my 18 year old's LOVE for sending text messages. He loves sending and receiving them, and he's FAST!
As I was thinking about my family members and THEIR soft addictions during this program, I suddenly thought of ME and .................UNO MAS! I haven't decided what need I'm fullfilling here, or what "gap" in my life Uno Mas helps me with........but I'm thinking it might definitely qualify as a "soft addiction".
VERY interesting program!! Did anyone else see it?
Susan
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Post by Jessie on Jul 8, 2006 7:42:05 GMT -5
No, I didn't see it, but it does sound like it was an interesting topic. So, did they explain at what point something becomes a soft addiction versus just being a bad habit or part of a person's personality? Or, are they just putting this label on or characterizing a bad habit as a soft addiction - a bad habit that's not ruining their life like other addictions?
Let's see, mine would definitely be shopping . . .
Brian's would be NOT picking up his clothes off the floor or pushing in a drawer the entire way, EVER (I think he does this to drive me completely MAD!) LOL
Jessie
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Post by Jackie on Jul 8, 2006 9:32:51 GMT -5
Susan...I think your UNO thing...is a HARD addiction...LOL ;D
Jackie
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Post by Emilysmom on Jul 8, 2006 10:09:45 GMT -5
Jessie~
If they indicated that, I must not have been paying attention.........but I think it had to do with it getting in the way of their life, or LOL mostly it bothered the other people in their lives!
One thing that was really interesting was the explanation of WHY these habits were important to the various people. One example was the guy who was constantly late........it sounded like his self esteem was a bit lacking, and by being late all the time it made him feel more important because people were waiting just for HIM. It annoyed his wife a LOT to never know when to expect him, and he was a dentist so I'm sure that habit didn't go over well with his patients.
The one woman who shopped a lot........wow. She is a SAHM, and her husband works a lot. A few years ago, their baby went through a catastrophic health problem and nearly died. She said her husband was not able to leave work to be there for her during the baby's illness and she felt very alone. What made her feel better was shopping. They showed the family later, and this little boy appeared to have special needs.
Another example was hair twirling..........I've certainly done a bit of that when my hair was longer, but never saw it as an "addiction"!
The expert had each person work on doing something else POSITIVE to replace their soft addiction.......something they enjoyed like photography, etc and to very gradually decrease their habit.
And as for you Jackie...........LOL I'm hoping you're wrong on that one!
Susan
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Post by Cbean on Jul 8, 2006 11:57:05 GMT -5
Thanks Susan. Seems like I have even more problems than I thought!!!  |
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Post by char on Jul 8, 2006 13:20:10 GMT -5
Hummmmmmm, I'm always early. I hardly consider it an addiction. I'm early because I think it's rude to make others wait, and I have never developed a good sense for how long driving time really is. I'm one who is very nervous about labels. Abby happens to have DS, but there is much more that IS that beautiful little grandchild of mine. DS is part of who she is, it is NOT who she is.  There are things that I do enthusiastically and regularly because I love doing them. ;D There are things that I only do when I have no other choice, and it's because I really hate doing those things.  I'm here avoiding laundry as I type.  However, this is just one woman's opinion, and I've been wrong more than once in my life!  |
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Post by andrewsmom on Jul 8, 2006 13:36:27 GMT -5
Yes...I saw this and I also thought of myself!!!! LMAO!!!! I thought it was very interesting how each person had a particular reason for their "addictions". I thought it was silly that one lady just had to take pictures again....huh..I thought, boy that seems silly. But it worked!!! Then I started thinking , OK, what am I lacking that I go online so much?? You know what I came up with??? ....absolutely nothing! LOL! I just LIKE to come online and learn new things and talk with people I consider to be my friends. I also reasoned that if I didn't come online maybe MY house would look like that lady's and decided I just can not stop coming here or my house and family will suffer!!! LOL!!! Now how much therapy do I need?  LOL!!! -Trisha |
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Post by TriciaF on Jul 8, 2006 14:53:26 GMT -5
Susan, This is interesting....here's the link. I was curious to see if I could search her site for any info on ADD....cause many of those "soft addictions", procrastinating, being late, messy, etc.... are also signs of add. Didn't see anything though. www.softaddictions.com/Here's some add info: www.help4adhd.org/guides/dsm/WWK9 |
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Post by Jackie on Jul 8, 2006 17:18:27 GMT -5
Susan...then it seems I am "softly addicted" to just about everything...LOL
Jackie
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Susan, Proud mom of Michael (32), Justin (25) Emily (22ds), and Jordan (20).
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I'm here avoiding laundry as I type. 
LOL!!!