PCFormat Forum Archive

What is Internet addiction or computer addiction?
Internet Addiction, otherwise known as computer addiction, online addiction, or internet addiction disorder (IAD), covers a variety of impulse-control problems, including:

Cybersex Addiction – compulsive use of Internet pornography, adult chat rooms, or adult fantasy role-play sites impacting negatively on real-life intimate relationships.

Cyber-Relationship Addiction – addiction to social networking, chat rooms, and messaging to the point where virtual, online friends become more important than real-life relationships with family and friends.

Net Compulsions – such as compulsive online gaming, gambling, stock trading, or compulsive use of online auction sites such as eBay, often resulting in financial and job-related problems.

Information Overload – compulsive web surfing or database searching, leading to lower work productivity and less social interaction with family and friends.

Computer Addiction – obsessive playing of off-line computer games, such as T.E.S. Skyrim or Civilisation, or obsessive computer programming. [iRon?]

Signs and symptoms of Internet addiction or computer addiction
Signs and symptoms of Internet addiction vary from person to person. For example, there are no set hours per day or number of messages sent that indicate Internet addiction. But here are some general warning signs that your Internet use may have become a problem:

Losing track of time online. Do you frequently find yourself on the Internet longer than you intended? Does a few minutes turn in to a few hours? Do you get irritated or cranky if your online time is interrupted?
Having trouble completing tasks at work or home. Do you find laundry piling up and little food in the house for dinner because you’ve been busy online? Perhaps you find yourself working late more often because you can’t complete your work on time — then staying even longer when everyone else has gone home so you can use the Internet freely.
Isolation from family and friends. Is your social life suffering because of all the time you spend online? Are you neglecting your family and friends? Do you feel like no one in your “real” life — even your spouse — understands you like your online friends?
Feeling guilty or defensive about your Internet use. Are you sick of your spouse nagging you to get off the computer and spend time together? Do you hide your Internet use or lie to your boss and family about the amount of time you spend on the computer and what you do while you're online?
Feeling a sense of euphoria while involved in Internet activities. Do you use the Internet as an outlet when stressed, sad, or for sexual gratification or excitement? Have you tried to limit your Internet time but failed?
Physical symptoms of Internet addiction
Internet or computer addiction can also cause physical discomfort such as:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain and numbness in hands and wrists)
Dry eyes or strained vision
Back aches and neck aches; severe headaches
Sleep disturbances
Pronounced weight gain or weight loss

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain and numbness in hands and wrists)
Dry eyes or strained vision
Back aches and neck aches; severe headaches
Sleep disturbances
Pronounced weight gain or weight loss

StarPhoenix wrote:Internet AND computer addiction, Rusty. The fact that they are not unique to this form of addiction does not make them any less valid as symptoms?

jamin_za wrote:

StarPhoenix wrote:Internet AND computer addiction, Rusty. The fact that they are not unique to this form of addiction does not make them any less valid as symptoms?

ITT: bullshirt psychologists make up to keep themselves employed and the simpletons who buy into it

doo_much wrote:Boet, are you some kind of Psychological Hypochondriac?

It's as though you want something to be wrong with you!

Internet abuse is not an addiction, and even if it is the effects are much less debilitating than that of other addictions.

jamin_za wrote:ITT: bullshirt psychologists make up to keep themselves employed and the simpletons who buy into it

Hman wrote:I can cure you, praise the lord child. Give unto me your gaming pc, and rejoice.

Hman wrote:I can cure you, praise the lord child. Give unto me your gaming pc, and rejoice.

StarPhoenix wrote: OK, so according to Merriam-Webster one can only abuse substances. It is compulsive, protracted use to the detriment of all else, though.

Monty wrote:

Hman wrote:I can cure you, praise the lord child. Give unto me your gaming pc, and rejoice.

You're doing it wrong, you forgot to charge for the service of removing his gaming PC.

Hman wrote:I can cure you, praise the lord child. Give unto me your gaming pc, and rejoice.

StarPhoenix wrote:Why do you say that it is rubbish, jamin? Don't you think that when spends so much time online or on a computer that
more important things suffer, there is a problem.