I think Im addicted to the Internet

[taniaaust1]

I thought I'd add some symptoms of when I was addicted to the game.

1/ Id be on computer all the time playing it. I'd miss meals due to playing it.. I'd miss sleep due to playing it.

2/ It was the first thing I thought about when I woke up and I'd get online right away to play.

3/ If I had an interuption during the day so I couldnt play it, it would annoy me eg I'd be annoyed by someone visiting as I just wanted to be online playing the game. If I had to go shopping that would annoy me as I didnt want to leave the game.

4/ I didnt want to go away on holiday without the game, couldnt stand the thought (so actually took it with me).

If this is sounding like you but instead of game (insert computer), all I can suggest is going cold turkey for many months... and even then if you get back online after that time, it is very easy to get the same addiction back but do really think about if there is a valid reason for your obsession (eg wanting to know all you can about your medical condition).
...............

Im no therapist so only can talk on how an addiction was like for me.. but if you decide you truely do have a computer addiction (rather then maybe a healthy obsession with health etc), if you CANT control yourself on your home computer, maybe if you used library computers (if your library has them), that would allow you to still go online but in a more healthy way (due to the limits placed on those). It seems a pity even if you do have an addiction to completely stop all computer activities esp when you are using it for research.

Maybe by that you could do that and retrain yourself for more healthy computer use?

 

[sleepyhead]

Good points, Tania. Very interesting to read your honest answers to my questions.

Of course I do have similar symptoms you had with your computer game addiction.

But as you can imagine in todays life its simply not possible to not use a computer for months (like you did with the game). Though I know this would be the best thing. I dont have a library around, but maybe i can install a software which shuts down the computer automatically. Then there is also my smartphone. I should disconnect it but then where is the sense of an offline smartphone

 

[Sasha]

Hi sleepyhead - I'm sorry you're having this problem. I don't use the net as much as you but I'm aware that sometimes I continue searching for things on it even though I'm too tired to take in any interesting info when I find it and it would be better for me if I stopped. In other words, a compulsion, not just using the internet as something to pass the time with.

I've just finished reading a superb book called Maximum Willpower, written by an academic psychologist who bases her advice on research and runs highly successful courses. Here's the blurb off Amazon:

Willpower - the ability to control your attention, emotions, appetites and behaviour - influences your physical health, financial security, the quality of your relationships and your professional success. We all know this. But why is it so hard to control and why, sometimes, do we have so little of it? Willpower: How to master the new science of self-control brings together the newest insights about self-control from psychology, economics, neuroscience and medicine, explaining how we can break old habits and create healthy habits, conquer procrastination and manage stress and emotions. Discover why we give in to temptation and how we can find the strength to resist. By understanding the limits of willpower you can prioritize goals, make conscious choices, change old habits and give up the pursuit of perfection. This book focuses on strategies that can help you transcend limitations, strengthen self-control and escape the grip of chronic stress and procrastination. Whether you are trying to break a habit, improve your health, or find your focus, this book will change the way you think about willpower and help you make real and lasting changes in your life.​

She presents a new concept with each chapter, with the idea that you try out the ideas in that chapter for a week with your particular issue. I've instead read straight through it, cherry-picking a few ideas on the way, and have already found it helpful in getting myself to properly rest rather than watch TV while I'm resting. I'm going to go back through it more systematically now I'm thoroughly impressed with it! It's very practical, with exercises for you to do, and also a fascinating and entertaining read.

I hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[hurtingallthetimet]

I thought I'd add some symptoms of when I was addicted to the game.

1/ Id be on computer all the time playing it. I'd miss meals due to playing it.. I'd miss sleep due to playing it.

2/ It was the first thing I thought about when I woke up and I'd get online right away to play.

3/ If I had an interuption during the day so I couldnt play it, it would annoy me eg I'd be annoyed by someone visiting as I just wanted to be online playing the game. If I had to go shopping that would annoy me as I didnt want to leave the game.

4/ I didnt want to go away on holiday without the game, couldnt stand the thought (so actually took it with me).

If this is sounding like you but instead of game (insert computer), all I can suggest is going cold turkey for many months... and even then if you get back online after that time, it is very easy to get the same addiction back but do really think about if there is a valid reason for your obsession (eg wanting to know all you can about your medical condition).
...............

Im no therapist so only can talk on how an addiction was like for me.. but if you decide you truely do have a computer addiction (rather then maybe a healthy obsession with health etc), if you CANT control yourself on your home computer, maybe if you used library computers (if your library has them), that would allow you to still go online but in a more healthy way (due to the limits placed on those). It seems a pity even if you do have an addiction to completely stop all computer activities esp when you are using it for research.

Maybe by that you could do that and retrain yourself for more healthy computer use?

great reply taniaaust1, the doctor keep recomemnding memory games for me since my short term memory can be so bad said it would keep the mind sharp, i found a game and i tend to be ocd obessed with new things or subjects, its strange...and i wanted so badly for my memory to be normal again that i did catch myslef playing it more than i thought i was, my head would be killing me my whole body in pain and id crash next day...but all i could think aobut was playing that game and "getting better and being normal with memory again" i finally got so physcially worn down and sick from playing it and i dont think it helped memory...kids would even paly it sometimes wehn i didnt but as if they were me to make score higher etc...i can see many reasons people get on the computer too much, loniless, hopes of making friends, hopes of a cure, many hopes, many reasons...but it did make me feel physcially and mentally frustrated and ill everytime i played...i was just so obessed with being normal and getting my memory back....which i didint...

 

[taniaaust1]

the doctor kept recommending memory games to me

...i was just so obessed with being normal and getting my memory back....which i didint...

hurtingallthetime. A ME/CFS person being told to use ones brain/mind to improve memory, is the same as telling a ME/CFS person to go and exercise to improve ME/CFS.

These things can put us backwards.. I really dont like your doctors advice. It isnt a lack of exercise which causes our symptoms be it body symptoms or our brain symptoms

I think you need to find a ME/CFS specialist to be advising you as what is healthy for a normal person, dont always apply well to us and doctors who dont specialise in this disorder, can really be giving one a lot of misguided advice. Our brain issue isnt like Alzheimers in which one can work the brain to improve the function..

I think misconceptions that your current doctor has (which isnt even based on any research) .. would not be helping you much emotionally due to all the let downs that is giving you. He's failing you by getting up your hopes falsely, providing you with wrong info etc

 

[taniaaust1]

Good points, Tania. Very interesting to read your honest answers to my questions.

Of course I do have similar symptoms you had with your computer game addiction.

But as you can imagine in todays life its simply not possible to not use a computer for months (like you did with the game). Though I know this would be the best thing. I dont have a library around, but maybe i can install a software which shuts down the computer automatically. Then there is also my smartphone. I should disconnect it but then where is the sense of an offline smartphone

Sounds like you have some good ideas there.

Another idea could be to rather then be on an unlimited ISP plan for hours (if you are on one).. to go onto one in which is a limit per month. That way you would be forced to use computer less if you didnt want to run out of hours before the month.