[Taonuviel]

So... I've realized I definitely am addicted to the internet. I don't know what to do about it. I've been addicted for a long time, but since I wasn't able to do my coursework due to whatever problem in my brain it didn't really matter. Now I'm on a medicine that's correcting it, and I find myself unable to draw myself away and focus on my coursework. I can't turn off the computer or even the internet because my work requires its' usage, and when I do switch to just my work I keep thinking of whatever I've been doing online. And I really do need the internet, I need to be able to get on here and talk with friends, or on the other site I frequent and have a little fun - it's my only interaction with people, even moreso this week since I'm not even around people in class, it's spring break. But I really need to use this time to catch up. Somehow I need to reduce the time I'm spending online... I just don't know how.

[Sannah]

It is always hard to leave a vacuum alone. We don't do well with voids in our lives. How about filling this time with something else?

[Taonuviel]

I need to fill it with my coursework.

[madisgram]

hey tao, i can relate to the interet thing. what i do is force myself to leave the online stuff i do and do something else. once i'm away from the online stuff i get absorbed into constructive stuff. i feel a lot of us use the internet as a way of communicating to others and that's ok as long as we don't sit "rooted" online and do nothing else. sounds like you've gotten focus on what u need to catch up on...coursework. then u can reward yourself with a little internet time later. works for me...i used to play online games, like forever each day, and it was not good for me to do that cause i'm a people person. so guess it's everythng in moderation that's best for all of us.

[Taonuviel]

It's just so hard that it's right here... a click away from my work. And so hard not to think about. :-/

I totally understand you. I think I may be also addicted to internet. All my friends are cyberfriends. Besides I rarely get outside my house so this contributes to the internet addiction. I sometimes have to force myself to stay away from it. Even at night when I wake up I get to the computer to check whatever on it. Good thing is that now that my meds are starting to work out, I have been able to read books again. So I try to read or watch tv to stop being at the computer. It is difficult to stop this but I wish you have the strength to solve this problem. Here you have received interesting replies that could be useful

[FireBird]

I have Internet addiction as well. The very first thing I do in the morning when I get up is go on the Internet. I can't live without it. I HAVE to know what's going on in the world and the stock markets and of course, posting on different message boards. There is this one board that I have well over 1,400 posts on. That is since 2007. I have been addicted longer than that, but was afraid to post on boards until recently. I guess it was the paranoia talking. I spend 24/7 on the Internet. What's sleep again?

[Sannah]

Coursework is not human connection, though. Is the draw of the internet connection with others?

[Taonuviel]

yes. and the internet is my only source for it.

[sky dancer]

Originally Posted by Taonuviel

So... I've realized I definitely am addicted to the internet. I don't know what to do about it. I've been addicted for a long time, but since I wasn't able to do my coursework due to whatever problem in my brain it didn't really matter. Now I'm on a medicine that's correcting it, and I find myself unable to draw myself away and focus on my coursework. I can't turn off the computer or even the internet because my work requires its' usage, and when I do switch to just my work I keep thinking of whatever I've been doing online. And I really do need the internet, I need to be able to get on here and talk with friends, or on the other site I frequent and have a little fun - it's my only interaction with people, even moreso this week since I'm not even around people in class, it's spring break. But I really need to use this time to catch up. Somehow I need to reduce the time I'm spending online... I just don't know how.

Tao--

There is free software that can block the sites that you are most addicted to.

I have internet addiction too. Mostly to political forums where I seem to seek out the meanest bullies and take a lot of crap from them. It's a re-enactment of my abuse AKA trauma bonding.

That seems to be helping me. It at least blocks the sites from my PC. I can still access those sites in the library--but it at least slows it down long enough for me to find out what's going on with me--usually avoidance of anxiety, depresson or a flashback.

[sky dancer]

Originally Posted by FireBird

I have Internet addiction as well. The very first thing I do in the morning when I get up is go on the Internet. I can't live without it. I HAVE to know what's going on in the world and the stock markets and of course, posting on different message boards. There is this one board that I have well over 1,400 posts on. That is since 2007. I have been addicted longer than that, but was afraid to post on boards until recently. I guess it was the paranoia talking. I spend 24/7 on the Internet. What's sleep again?

There are plenty of people like us with internet addiction and many haven't a clue they're addicted.

There is an inverse mood affect with the amount of time you spend on the computer.

One woman on a board I just block for myself posts 150-200 posts a day just on that one site.

She's on it from sun up to sun down.

I can do the same--really.

I am working on this. It's improving as my PTSD symptoms get some relief. It really sucks.

At least, here, I'm more real--really honest about my problems--and not projecting them onto the people I was arguing with before.

[Sannah]

Tao, then filling that void would help decrease the lure of the internet?

[SICKlySweet]

Originally Posted by Taonuviel

It's just so hard that it's right here... a click away from my work. And so hard not to think about. :-/

THINGS THAT HAVE HELPED ME:

A)I know you said that you can't turn it off cuz you need it, BUT it would be good practice and or a lesson for you each & every time if you turned it off completely, went for a 15 min stretch or break but away from your course work. Than when you came back 2 ur course work, & re-turned the computer on, it might be a reminder 2 yourself of how much a pain in the butt it is to have to wait 4 ur comp 2 upload all the time, and telling urself, "yes, but I am the one doing it to myself so if I want more time 4 my work by not always waiting 4 the bloody comp to turn on, I need to stop playing.

B) Set a timer for play time. Do Not go over the timer, even if in the middle of a roll on a game. Should set yourself up on a game or here for 10 mins, half an hour whateves, but picking something that will only take up that time.

C) Say it was a profile that took me forever, that was detrimental (poor spelling) to that site, I would completely delete it. Than I wouldn't be able to use that site & it would be one thing more that I would have more time/space for.

They're all real hard, just like anything a person may want to change in their lives. It's an addiction, so baby steps whatever best works for you.

I am guessing that this course work just isn't catching and holding your attention? Figure out a way that it will? It is an online course? Where you can get ahold of other online students? Maybe ask them what they do or did to keep on a part that is slowing your focus down...?

Hope you get it figured out.
Take Care.

[horsecab]

I talked with my T about it. I am especially hooked with chatting here! She suggested I join a group where I get my treatment, since I have a problem connecting with people IRL. She thinks that will help me to balance things out.

[Taonuviel]

Originally Posted by Sannah

Tao, then filling that void would help decrease the lure of the internet?

probably. but that's the problem.

[Sannah]

Originally Posted by Taonuviel

probably. but that's the problem.

So what are you doing to address this problem?

[Taonuviel]

Originally Posted by Sannah

So what are you doing to address this problem?

nothing anymore. what am i supposed to do? i've tried all the right things. but people aren't interested in me, i can't connect with them. i don't know what else to say. i could tell you about what i've tried, but it's just getting me depressed.

[Sannah]

I had a long conversation with you one day about this on another forum here when we first met. During that conversation I felt like you were blocking all the possibilities. I would suggest something, you would have a reason why it wouldn't work or didn't work. Is fear holding you back here? I'm sorry, I just don't accept that things aren't possble.............

[Taonuviel]

Originally Posted by Sannah

I had a long conversation with you one day about this on another forum here when we first met. During that conversation I felt like you were blocking all the possibilities. I would suggest something, you would have a reason why it wouldn't work or didn't work. Is fear holding you back here? I'm sorry, I just don't accept that things aren't possble.............

i am afraid, but i don't even have the chance to face it. i'm not trying to block possibilities, i simply can't find any. i've tried all i can think of.

[Sannah]

, fear is paralyzing.......... I know you aren't doing it on purpose! Maybe work on the fear and then the path will be clearer?

[Taonuviel]

Originally Posted by Sannah

, fear is paralyzing.......... I know you aren't doing it on purpose! Maybe work on the fear and then the path will be clearer?

but how do i work on the fear without facing it? i don't have anyone to try with.

[iamtwilight]

i agree with sannah, fear is indeed paralyzing.

kind of going through the same thing, but it's in phases for me. this is a good phase, the internet doesn't interest that much at this point. but the things that i do to replace the internet aren't any better, so we're kind of in the same boat.

but one question - about your online courses - is there any background research that you need to do on these courses that you could do through books, or by making notes on paper? also creating a nice studying "atmosphere" can help a lot, ergonomy and stuff. though i guess if everything is in place and you use the study atmosphere for spare time surfing too it won't really make a difference.

if you're using a laptop, maybe try to moving it to another place and telling yourself "this is where i'll do my studying" and vice versa when you use it for gaming/surfing etc. just a suggestion.

and i hear you on the not relating to people issue.


twilite

[iamtwilight]

double post - deleted

[Taonuviel]

no, my online course is just offline reading and doing work through the discussion board. my space for studying is the same as for playing, too. thanks though.

[john3000]

Sex, drugs an rock and roll for nutjobs all inside the house. You can't beat that. It might even buy me some more time existing.