đ§ Beyond Willpower: When to Seek Help for Behavioral Addictions
Youâve tried to cut down. Youâve promised to stop. Youâve deleted the apps, made new resolutionsâbut the pattern returns.
Behavioral addictionsâwhether itâs screen overuse, compulsive shopping, gaming, or pornâarenât about weak willpower. Theyâre about patterns wired into the brain.
The turning point is not rock bottomâitâs recognition.
đ¨ When Should You Seek Professional Help?
If any of these are true, it may be time:
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Youâve tried to stop or cut down and failed repeatedly
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The behavior is affecting your sleep, relationships, or work
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You feel shame, guilt, or secrecy around the habit
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You experience mood changes, anxiety, or irritability when you donât engage in it
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You use the behavior to escape emotional pain
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The behavior has escalated in time, frequency, or intensity
If you recognize yourself in these signs, you donât need to wait. Help is availableâand it works.
đ§ What Kind of Help Actually Works?
Behavioral addictions respond well to structured psychotherapeutic interventions. Here’s whatâs available:
đ§° 1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Helps identify and change thought-behavior loops
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Builds healthier routines and coping mechanisms
đŹ 2. Motivational Interviewing (MI)
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Helps resolve inner conflicts
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Strengthens your own motivation to change
đą 3. Mindfulness-Based Therapies
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Teach you to observe urges without acting on them
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Reduce emotional reactivity and compulsive behavior
đŻ 4. ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)
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Helps clarify values
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Builds behavioral flexibility and emotional acceptance
đ§âđ¤âđ§ 5. Support Groups & Relapse Prevention
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You are not alone. Shared stories = shared strength
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Learn to manage setbacks without guilt
In some cases, medication may be helpfulâespecially if the behavior is tied to depression, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD.
đĄ What to Expect in Your First Session
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Youâll explore your habit pattern and emotional triggers
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No judgmentâonly understanding
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A personalized plan will be created based on your goals
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Youâll learn how to handle urges, restructure time, and rebuild confidence
Therapy is not just about stopping somethingâitâs about starting something better.
đ§Real Client Insight (Shared with Permission)
A client once told me, âI thought I had to break the habit before I came to therapy. But therapy is what helped me break it.â
đ Ready to Reclaim Control in Chennai?
You donât have to do this alone. Letâs understand the pattern, heal the root, and rebuild your lifeâtogether.
đ Book a consultation with:
Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T
Consultant Psychiatrist
đApollo Clinic â Velachery & Tambaram, Chennai
đ§ srinivasaiims@gmail.com
đą 85951 55808
The first step isnât quitting the habitâitâs asking for help.