“The Role of Emotions in Behavioral Addictions: A Cognitive Neurosciences Perspective” was published in the Journal of Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology in 2017. The authors, Mario Francesco Juruena and Antonio Waldo Zuardi, provide a comprehensive review of the current state of research on the role of emotions in behavioral addictions, focusing on the cognitive neurosciences perspective.
The article starts with an introduction to the concept of behavioral addiction and its different forms, including gambling, internet addiction, and shopping addiction. The authors emphasize that behavioral addictions are characterized by a compulsive urge to engage in a behavior despite negative consequences, similar to substance addiction.
In the article, the authors mention several symptoms of love addiction, which can include:
- Obsessive thoughts: individuals with love addiction may spend a significant amount of time thinking about their romantic partner or potential partners. They may obsess over the other person’s actions or behaviors.
- Difficulty controlling behavior: individuals with love addiction may engage in impulsive or reckless behavior to pursue romantic interests, even if it puts themselves or others at risk.
- Fear of abandonment: individuals with love addiction may have an intense fear of being alone or abandoned, leading them to cling to their romantic partners even if the relationship is unhealthy or abusive.
- Intense emotional reactions: individuals with love addiction may experience extreme highs and lows in their emotions, such as euphoria or despair, depending on the status of their romantic relationship.
- Neglecting other areas of life: individuals with love addiction may neglect other areas of their life, such as work or social relationships, in favor of pursuing their romantic interests.
- Tolerance and withdrawal: individuals with love addiction may develop a tolerance to the “high” of being in love and may experience withdrawal symptoms when not actively pursuing romantic relationships.
It is important to note that not all individuals with love addiction will experience all of these symptoms, and symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency. A mental health professional should be consulted for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. The authors focus on the role of emotions in behavioral addictions. They posit that emotions play a significant role in behavioral addiction and explain that emotions play a crucial role in decision-making. They suggest that individuals with behavioral addictions have difficulty regulating their emotions and often use addictive behaviors as a way to cope with negative emotions or to enhance positive emotions. The authors also suggest that individuals with behavioral addictions may have a heightened sensitivity to emotional cues, such as stress or pleasure, which can trigger their addictive behaviors. Furthermore, the authors highlight the role of impulsivity in behavioral addictions and suggest that impulsivity may be related to a dysregulation of the emotional system. They propose that these difficulties in emotion regulation contribute to the development of behavioral addictions and that treatments for behavioral addictions should focus on addressing emotional regulation and coping strategies in addition to addressing the addictive behavior itself.
The authors also discuss the importance of stress in the development of behavioral addictions. They suggest that individuals who experience chronic stress are more susceptible to developing behavioral addictions, as the behavior provides a temporary escape from stressors.
Next, the authors delve into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying behavioral addictions. The authors discuss several neurobiological mechanisms underlying behavioral addictions, including changes in the brain’s reward circuitry, impulsivity, and decision-making processes.
One mechanism is the involvement of the mesolimbic dopamine system, which is known to play a crucial role in the reward circuitry of the brain. This system is activated during pleasurable experiences and can lead to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. Individuals with behavioral addictions may experience heightened activation in this reward system, which can contribute to their compulsive behaviors.
Another mechanism is related to impulsivity, which refers to a tendency to act on impulses or without thinking through the consequences. Studies have shown that individuals with behavioral addictions may exhibit increased impulsivity, which can contribute to their difficulty in controlling their addictive behaviors.
The authors, M.F. Juruena and A.W. Zuardi, discuss the role of decision-making processes in behavioral addictions. Studies have shown that individuals with behavioral addictions may have altered decision-making processes, such as a greater focus on immediate rewards rather than long-term consequences. They suggest that the release of dopamine in response to memories of past pleasurable experience reinforces decisions to pursue a love interest in a compulsive and cyclic manner. These changes in decision-making can contribute to the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors.
The article concludes by discussing potential treatment approaches for behavioral addictions. The authors highlight the importance of addressing underlying emotional and stress-related factors in treatment, in addition to targeting the addictive behavior itself. They suggest that an integrated approach that combines cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and pharmacotherapy may be effective treatment approaches for behavioral addictions.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive review of the role of emotions in behavioral addictions, highlighting the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction and the importance of addressing emotional and stress-related factors in treatment. The key themes covered in the article include the neurobiological basis of behavioral addictions, the role of emotions in addiction, the impact of stress on addiction, and potential treatment approaches. Overall, the article provides valuable insights into the complex nature of behavioral addictions and the importance of addressing underlying emotional factors in treatment.
Resource:
Author(s): Brand, M., Young, K. S., Laier, C., Wölfling, K., & Potenza, M. N. Publication year: 2016
Article title: The Role of Emotions in Behavioral Addictions: A Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective
Journal title: CNS spectrums
Volume number: 22
Issue number: 5
Page numbers: 1-9
DOI: 10.1017/S1092852917000032