Friday, May 25, 2007

Online obsession...

I know this has been discussed before but online obsession is clearly not going to go away. I was just reading about a guy in the US who says that he is only 'self-medicating' and used the internet to control his psychological problems related to post-traumatic stress disorder.

He says that his psychological problems have left him addicted to sex, especially adult internet chat rooms.
There seems to be plenty of sites out there to help...seems odd, bit like going to the pub to cure your alcoholism. one site HERE. However, worth a self test to see; and one such test HERE.

Some people also spend too much time reading, watching television, and working, and ignore family, friendships, and social activities. But do we have TV addiction disorder, book addiction, and work addiction being suggested as legitimate mental disorders in the same category as schizophrenia and depression?
That quote from John M. Grohol, Psy.D. "Internet Addiction Guide" on Psych Central. An interesting article first published 8 years ago with subsequent updates. Answers to such questions as 'Do You Spend Too Much Time Online?' and 'What Makes the Internet So Addictive?' Well worth a read...


I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
John D. Rockefeller

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update 2220 p.m. I answered the questions in the linked test and got a score of 59: "You are experiencing occasional or frequent problems because of the Internet. You should consider their full impact on your life." ...but I have considered it, I have!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

59? Bloody hell! Stop reading this immediately and go out and mow the grass or something!

Span Ows said...

hehehe...it's not as bad as that Sarnia. I answered the test being 'brutally' honest and erring on the bad side...sort of denying denial :-/

When I did the test again I scored 33, still being honest, the difference is really how do you define "often" compared to "frequently"? That makes a big difference (15 - 20 points) or even frequently and "occasionally"? Also I have the internet on all day if I'm working and most of the time if I'm not and I always check my mail before doing anything else no matter how important that 'anything' is because often I often more urgent things to do AFTER reading the messages...

Finally, it is what the phychologist guy was on about (psychcentre link), some people need the internet for work, others just at home...AND how many hours of TV would you consider 'normal'? Taking my higher score needs to be balanced with very little TV (footy/rugby aside...gulp)...in fact without the News, the odd film and televised football/rugby (not every day obviously) my TV/day is zero/zilch and 99% of the football/rugby I do watch is in one bar or other...interelating with other humans :-)

P.S....is this sounding like I'm trying to justify myself...OK...I'll get my coat.

P.P.S. Hey I could have just not added the update! ;-)

Linda Mason said...

It's because you want to get close to me isn't it Span and being online is the only way? I understand. Don't worry. However I should point out that a Mags addiction is far worse to treat than internet addiction. Just ask Mr Mags!

I did the test. Was totally honest and scored 24.

Anonymous said...

LOL Mags!

I did the test too and scored 20.

Now why do you think Span is trying to justify his high score?

He doesn't need to or have to.

C'mon Span! Be a man! Just admit you just lurve being online all the time!

(Only joking btw!)

Span Ows said...

no,no,no,no,no... I say NO...

Ok, I'm addicted but it doesn't rule my life (gulp)

Gavin probably knows how much I can be affected but I have 'pulled back' and been almost a hermit since those heady days...hey, they only lasted a few weeks ...but I was online until 3 or 4 in the morning... regularly...zonked

Since then PAH! I 'av u licked u swyne piggy internet wiz yur fyne looks and wicked ways...

...HOWEVER,,,at 20 and 24 Sarnia and Mags clearly you don't need to worry or even take the blasted test!...jeez you pair of ...ooooh I can't even think of a good...errr...thinghy!

P.S. Ok...I answered the school question too but that still puts me on 30 (or 56!!!) but who cares...as I said: I need and use the internat daily; if I had to answer purely on personal use I'd be less than 20...oh yes...only 10 really...ahha? ...oh yes...


...uhhu?


oh yes...I tell you


oh yes



(gulp)

Anonymous said...

LO Bloody L!

That test thing is stupid. If you work from a PC (as you must do) then obviously you're on it a lot of the time.

I'm on the pooter more in the winter than I am in the summer.

Paul said...

23

Span Ows said...

Doh!

;-)

(Paul, are you locked out for some reason?)