Posted on 05/19/2006 10:05:24 PM PDT by LouAvul
For some, the Internet it has become an addiction, adversely affecting their lives and their family's lives.
While not yet defined as a true addiction, many people are suffering the consequences of obsession with the online world, warns Dr. Diane M. Wieland, who treats patients with computer addiction in her practice in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
For some people, the Internet may promote addictive behaviors and pseudo-intimate interpersonal relationships, reports Wieland in the journal, Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. "Such cyberspace contacts may result in cyber disorders such as virtual relationships that evolve into online marital infidelity (cybersex) or online sexually compulsive behaviors," she writes.
"Obsession with and craving time on the computer results in neglect of real-life personal relationships to the point of divorce," Wieland says.
The prevalence of Internet addiction is hard to gauge at the moment, Wieland notes. Extrapolating from prevalence rates of other addictions, she thinks that 5 percent to 10 percent of Internet users will most likely experience addiction.
Signs and symptoms of Internet addiction include a general disregard for health and appearance; sleep deprivation due to spending so much time online; and decreased physical activity and social interaction with others. Dry eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and repetitive motion injuries of the hands and fingers are common.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
"Hi, I'm Billie, and I'm addicted to FreeRepublic."
Ruh-roh!
Look for a tax sometime in the near future to help with medical conditions caused by this addiction. Remember tobacco?
AlGore'd better hide.
I think I found our thread!!
Next week, they'll be running the story,
"Poll: Most people think there is growing concern over Internet addiction."
I wonder how we got that idea?
HI BILLIE!
Oh, say it's not true.
Hi, Bill.
They are addicting our kids in school. Teaching even in kindergarten how double click or even worse to cut and paste. I sure hope the wait till 3rd grade drag and drop.
Ive stayed away for 8 minutes so far
How many games have you won and lost, and what are your longest win and loss streaks?
Even better, "Freep this poll, 'Most people think there is growing concern over Internet addiction.'"
hahaha. I too am the same way. When I'm sitting at my computer and thinking "what should I do now," I instinctively (almost subconsciously) log into Free Republic. It scares me sometimes.
hahaha, so youre a sneaky Freeper. having to hit the bottle while youre husband is asleep? tsk tsk...
Virtual relationships then become virtual walls at borders. Oh my!
So, Bill, I guess the first step is to admit that you are powerless over the Internet and that your life has become unmanageable.
Imagine the horror if FR and YahooGroups went down at the same time...and we couldn't all rush over to the Yahoo Groups FR list and post, "is FR Down?"
I've been addicted to Free Republic for about (check my timestamp) almost two years now. At first it started out as innocent lurking, reading an article or two a day. Then, I found myself doing it at work, and it all went downhill from there. =P
HAHAHA, someone should start an intervention thread for addicted FReepers, and ping all the usual suspects. of course, the addicted ones wouldnt need to be pinged. that would be truly ironic.
hahaha. that's the first of the twelve steps.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.