I'd use the diagnostic criteria for substance abuse as a framework - my own experience basically fits that. Just, with my brain's own dopamine being the "substance", rather than something like drugs or alcohol
Quote:
Substance use disorders span a wide variety of problems arising from substance use, and cover 11 different criteria:5
Taking the substance in larger amounts
Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to
Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance
Cravings and urges to use the substance
Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of substance use
Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships
Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of substance use
Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger
Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance
Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance)
Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance
The 11 criteria outlined in the DSM-5-TR can be grouped into four primary categories: physical dependence, risky use, social problems, and impaired control.
So, something along the lines of:
Quote:
Spans a wide variety of problems arising from the obsession or problem behavior
-Indulging in obsession or behavior for longer than you're meant to
-Wanting to cut down or stop but not managing to
-Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from the obsession
-Cravings and urges to indulge the obsession
-Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of the obsession
-Continuing to use, even when it causes clear problems
-Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of the obsession
-Indulging again and again, even when it puts you in danger
-Continuing to indulge, even when you know you have a psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the obsession
-Needing more of the object of obsession to get the effect you want (tolerance)
-Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by indulging more
The 11 criteria outlined can be grouped into four primary categories: physical dependence, risky use, social problems, and impaired control
My experience basically spanned all 11 criteria
_________________
ASD level 1, ADHD-C, most likely have dyscalculia as well. RSD hurts.
RAADs: 104 | ASQ: 30 | CAT-Q: 139 | Aspie Quiz: 116/200 (84% probability of being atypical)
Also diagnosed with: seasonal depression, anxiety, OCD
15 Apr 2023, 11:11 pm
That sounds really intense. I have special interests which are quite engrossing but never to that level at all. The only time I really indulged was after leaving work permanently and having raised my kids, so I didn't have other responsibilities. Even then nothing was an addiction despite some pretty intense rabbit holes. 
