INTERNET addiction

Ever since I had access to the internet from home I think it became an addiction for me too. It really helps me feel better, because I live in an area that I can't seem to find people with similar problems that I have. In the past when I was a teen I was onthe internet for so many hours a day. Yeah rather unhealthy, nowadays I take breaks and read some books.

I do 30 minutes of exercises and try to practice my new banjo ukulele twice a day which is less time for the internet. I will go to the gym this morning to row on the machine hoping for 20 minutes. We shall see.
I am spending less time on the internet.
bizi

Alcohol
internet
food
self sex
I am bipolar 1

abilify is not working for me.
am already gaining weight.
A friend of mine said I should try lithium.
my aunt took this and has tremors so bad and it killed her thyroid.

Having said this all Anti psychotics run this risk.
My therapist doesn't think I am hypomanic. She thinks this is me not dealing with my addictions.
she could be right.

which came first? the hypomania or the addictions?
bizi _____________

When I first got my computer and online service in 1994, the first day I got it, I met this man who persisted in trying to bed me. I was married and tried over and over to stop associating with him online and then in person, but I became addicted to him and my computer instead. I did not give in to him, but the computer made it impossible to sever all ties with him either.

Finally, a few months ago, I was able to sever all ties with him. It was really hard, but I did it.

Now, though, I still find that I am addicted to my computer. I check and recheck to see if anyone has answered a post or written an email to me or whatever. I play games too, but no violent ones. Just brain teasers that help with memory and solitaire. I can control my urges to do those, but I cannot seem to get a handle on doing what I should do first thing in the mornings sometimes before I log on.

Today, I knew what I needed to do. I did some of it, then I logged on. I still did not clean my pet's cage, which I know I am supposed to do on Saturdays. It is so much easier to log on, than to do chores!

So, here I am, stinky Guinea Pig cage and all....

Well, I shamed myself into cleaning my pet's cage by writing the above. None the less, I just had to come here and tell all of you about it! #@Y(!)*&@_^)#$^(!

I got on line to avoid my paperwork, billing to be precise.
sigh
bizi

I took one day off from my computer this week. It was kind of freeing.

I still have billing to do..... who has been on here for hours today.
sigh
bizi

Oh my gosh, I’ve got this problem.

Even though I was tired, sick, and have had a headache the last two days, I’ve been constantly on the internet. Today I’ve barely cared to eat even, and eating is usually important.

I love forums and Facebook. It is getting worse lately.
I’m going to admit this to my new therapist tomorrow.

how did it go with your therapist?
bizi

Bizi—thanks for asking. I forgot to come back here. My meds make me an air head.

She didn’t react at all to the internet problem. So I tried explaining it again, and she then said it was good that I am distracting myself from my anxiety!!

I think I didn’t quite explain it well enough. I’ll try again next week.

She gave me some DBT exercises, but I only picked things she knows. I don’t like to do. I bought DBT books to look at, and I’m listening to videos.

She told me to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Instead of my boss hates me (she’s been criticizing me), I’m to think my boss is trying to help me.

I had to interrupt her interviewing me to ask for helpful tips. Last time she interviewed me the whole time, then only told me to deep breathe.

My last therapist was the same way—making me talk almost the whole time and then I get little help.

How are you doing, Bizi?

I think I'm overdoing it here on PC to distract myself from next week's surgery. I've just been on here an awful lot the past few days! I unintentionally went about six months without logging in here not too long ago - no reason. Given my addictive personality, overdoing anything sets-off my radar.

Emgreen—sorry to hear. Tells us about it if you want.

I’ve been overdoing it here. I just don’t want to think about anything.

hi key tones, have not been to these particular forums in a while.
I am drinking an IPA and have been on the internet too long.
how does one get support from the forums on line with an internet addiction?????
bizi

I don’t know yet, Bizi. My therapist doesn’t think it’s a problem. I told her I’m doing this online stuff to relieve anxiety.

I’ve managed to reduce the anxiety with meds and DBT, and yet here I am.

I really like being able to talk. I think that’s part of it.

I’m just getting into DBT. I’ll post if I see anything that helps.

I have an off and on Internet addiction. When it comes too much, I just stop using the computer for awhile. But now, the internet is saving me from loneliness. I don't know but it feels strange knowing I have an Internet addiction yet not feel as if it is a problem to help me feel less lonely. Does this make sense?

8 weeks ago I started to take zyprexa small dose in addition to all of my other meds.
It gave me the stability to finally not drink like a crazy woman.
I have had 55 alcohol free days with one drinking day in the middle of that time. I have not had that much control over my drinking in years!
I am also taking naltrexone 50 mg daily for the past 3 months which may have finally kicked in. I still think it was the addition of the zyprexa that did it.
I would encourage you to explore your meds and see if you can get more stable if that would help with your addictions? I think ithas helped in my internet addiction too.
bizi
I have also controlled my picking and over eating and have lost 15 pounds in 9 weeks. So am happy overall how things are going.

Wow, Bizi, those are seriously amazing results!!

I have heard of naltrexone. I think Dr. Atkins prescribed it. I will look into this,

In my case, I’m nervous/anxious. I have taken zyprexa, but it makes me eat until my stomach feels like it is going to burst, and I still want more.

Thank you so much for posting your results and med assist info.

I am so happy for you!!

I am totally immersed in the internet. It is beyond ridiculous. I am stuck to it and just can't get out. Click here! Click there!

And then it just fuels my mania so I spin and spin some more.

God help me.