The Unseen addictions we often overlook

The Unseen addictions we often overlook (Photo: iStock)

When you hear of addiction, rarely does the mind think of emotional addictions. Though less overtly recognised than substance dependencies, these are deeply ingrained patterns of thought, feelings and behaviour.

One way you can see it manifest is when an individual becomes pathologically attached to specific emotional states, whether painful or counterproductive, because they offer a perceived sense of control or even identity in some cases, or a very distorted form of gratification.