computer addiction?

Question

i'm so addicted to my computer. when i was 11 i spent at least 6 hours a day on the computer, in the summer it was like 8 hours. since i was 14 i limited it to 4 hours.

anyways i cant get off my computer. i dont hang out with friends, i avoid homework, i avoid eating, i avoid everything.

when i try getting offline to go to sleep..i go through like computer withdrawl..
my eyes sting and itch and turn all red and i get a HUGE headache and its so bad i have to get back on the computer to feel better.

my vision keeps getting worse and worse every year. when people put on my glasses they alwways say "WHOA ARE YOU BLIND?"



what are ways to deal with this and try limiting my computer hours?

&& are there any health risks that this could lead to if i dont stop my computer addiction?

i get so overwhelmingly happy when im on the computer. i crave more and more computer time. i want to be on it all the time.

Answer 1

Well I'm in the medical field, but not mental health, I do have a teenager who pretty much was going through the same thing as well. It cant be called an "addiction" unless it causes you harm in other than physical ways.. to be sure, you can develope eye strain, carpal tunnel and a myriad of other ailments from repetitve motions"clicking and typing" but unless you find yourself saying "to heck with homework or my friends and family, i cant live without my PC" your probably not "addicted". just enjoying it a little too much or not taking advantage og other things in life that could provide you with even more pleasure.. on a side note, my son went through counseling, he was spending almost the entire night on the PC and sleeping all day.. he was diagnosed with depression... he's out of the house alot these days, hangin with his buddies, but like any other teenager.. he still spends a lot of his time on the PC.. RULE OF THUMB>>>DONT LET ANYTHING CONTROL YOU!!! THE INTERNET CAN BE FUN AND EDUCATIONAL. THE REAL WORLD HAS ALOT TO OFFER TOO!!!

Answer 2

Well,you've said that it makes you happy,so that's on the plus side.It does appear that it is similar to some kind of drug addiction though.I suspect that this will become an increasingly common problem amongst the general population,as the Internet becomes more popular.From personal experience I would suggest that any opportunity that you have to spend time away from your PC,you take advantage of-you'll often find it's much more fun than staring at a screen for hours on end.

Answer 3

Hi Nikki72. Yes, it sounds like you are full blown addicted to your computer--as I think most of us who are online are. It's the first thing I do in the morning and I fall asleep infront of the computer late at night after hours and hours of just sitting and surfing. I think millions of pople are addicted--but you have a big advantage Nikki72 in that you are aware that you are addicted and you already know the danger signs--not eating, vision problems, avoiding friends, "avoiding everything". These are not healthy signs for you or for me, or for anyone that has "Online Fever". I think you are wise to limit your surfing to a certain number of hours a day--it's a start and it is good, but it does not address the deeper issues of what causes you, or me, or anyone else to have "addictive behavior". It must be something in our culture that reinforces that behavior--there are so many common addictions today. One can be aaddicted to alcohol, nicotene, narcotics, shopping, gambling--anything that becomes obsessive-compulsive - where you feel like you have to do it, that you can't stop doing it, where you start ruining your physical health or social life where you become isolated and only want to hang out in a secret world where only addicted people like yourself are permitted. I don't think it's hopeless. I went "cold turkey" from Internet surfing for ten years because it was controlling my life--affecting my job, friendships, health etc. It's only been about 4 months that I've been back on line and I am back to multi-hour surfing already. There are professional counselors who specialize in computer addiction. I wish you success in striking a happy balance and having friends again and having communication with your family Nikki72. Your computer is not bad of itself, being on Yahoo answers can help you and help you to help others. It's just when it dominates our every waking moment--then it needs to be addressed.
-Spec

Answer 4

It sounds like some kind of a depression to me. So, my advise to you is see a psychiatrist (not a psychologist) to help you find another less addictive and much more enjoyable for your age activity; so that, you get to your computer only when you need to do your homework or any other productive/learning activity.

Good luck.

Answer 5

yeah can cause blindness to an certin case ause of the lights cand pull musles in neck and alot more get out there and play or read or draw just get up casue to much sitting can cause hemorrids in the butt to that is rea painful???

Answer 6

try doing sports and other activities. i guess just tell your parents to not let you go on that long or ground you or something

Answer 7

go to a psychiatrist about it it helped and also ask for therapy

Answer 8

you are not addicted to computers, numbskull. you LIKE computers a whole lot. you used to like to play starwars or GI Joe or barbie, blah... everyday and were irritable when you couldn't but you weren't addicted to toys, you liked them.

the best way to limit your computer hours would be probably to get yourself a girlfriend.