INTERNET addiction

Count me in! I've lessened FB use quite a bit, but because I've been substituting it with These types of forums. I have another regular one, but i was looking for a bit more specific support. Still kinda looking around for that, but this is a fun distraction. I know, feeding to my addiction, but at least I'm here and checkin g up on helpful stuff at the same time. I like forums. FB is a real stress to keep up with!

I know this is an old post, but do you mind explaining your hypomania? Computer time has affected me in ways too, but I'm still not sure, or my therapist isn't convinced I have hypomanic tendencies. Well, I mean, I am relatively careful with money, and will have to be more so if we will be out of work here, but when I'm on Amazon, I'm always just buying one more extra thing. It is useful or stuff I want though...but this internet addiction has excited me in the past because of its super good feelings (talking with people/good conversations) that have caused me trouble both with those people as well as neglecting my home and other responsibilties. Anyway, just curious if i share any traits to maybe discuss with my therapist. Thanks!

Hope it's not rude to ask, but I also didn't want to leave you out of my question since you also brought it up. Can you explain a bit how it fuels and what your mania comprises of? I really don't mean to be rude or anything. I'm just trying to understand this and my own self. Thanks!

They just started an internet thread in the addictions forum...below this as this is a sub forum so you may want to post there too.

When my bipolar was really off I was compulsively drinking alcohol.
I was secretive and would guzzel my beers, hid them from hubby. drink on the way home. over eat, gained 45 pounds in 2 years.
I have been out of control.
you can see in my signature line the medications I take. zyprexa is a new one for me and it has changed my life.
I feel back in control again. I am not some crazed addict. I have control over my eating for the most part.
have lost 13 pounds in 9 weeks.
Have only drank twice in 2 months.

I have said that I have an addictive personality.
alcohol, internet, food, picking.
With zyprexa I have much better control in all areas of my life.
I am still on the internet too much.
like I should be in bed now with hubby reading...but it is more rewarding being on line than in bed.
I call it mental masterbation.
welcome to the forums. ask me anything.
bizi
55 year old female married, no kids, 2 cats.

well, my Dad says I should take a break from FB. haha, he says outrageous things sometimes, overly worries or something, but i think this is a good idea. As much as I'd like to chat up with some folks there, I think I need to slow it down and focus on things to improve my health and situation right now, and that's places like here!

this sounds like a good idea.
We have to monitor ourselves here too. as this is a support forum for people with internet obsessions.
bizi

meh, well, I didn't really keep to the FB thing, although I have set limits for myself. I try not to get on the screen past a certain hour of the night or if i do, I try not to be on too long. (few minutes as opposed to few hours) And I go on, do what I need to do and log back off and only check like once a day but have some email forwards, so I can see the critical stuff sooner. Most of my groups and friends' timelines, I only check a few times a week, some I haven't checked in weeks!

So, I don't believe I'm in an addictive phase these days, and sometimes it actually helps me to keep in touch. But I am kindof a forum/internet sites junkie, meaning I signed up and regularly check quite a few, so I do have to watch that and limit my time, or alternate days. I like lingering on certain sites for a day or two to help with my memory and making connections. Otherwise, I just feel lonely and bored and depressed with it all.

just sharing, I guess.

I'm almost completely free of FACEBOOK. I only check my private emails there now and my alerts by just a couple of folks (Family).

You two are doing well!
bizi

I am addicted to this forum, lol. I am debating about asking that my account be deleted.

forwhatits worth,
I wonder about all of the forums i post on , and face book etc.
you are not alone.
bizi

It doesnt feel like an addiction for myself.

Bc I can go w/o. If I do something irl, there is no hard urge for it. And I also dont think like I do something good or meaningful in posting something somewhere.

It just feels I dont have anything else to do in my life. Im wasting my time to distract myself from my boringness and therefore thinking bad about myself.

My addictions are real.
I admit I am an alcoholic. This took a long time to admit to myself and and some of my close family members.
I have an internet addiction. I spend hours on here and other forums, face book, email, etc. have neglected my yard which is in shambles. I walked into the back yard, had not been and discovered what it looked like. It is a dust bowl. all of the grass is dead. We will hire someone to till it up and put down dirt and sod and then we will water the shiet out of it. I use to love working in the yard but got very lazy and resentful that my husband did not help so stopped doing yard work. I believe that the extra zyprexa has opened my eyes to my addictions. Have been more thoughtful. I have neglected my responsibilities .....I have had bouts of hypomania.
Now to just prioritize what needs to get done on the house, first thing is getting the foundation fixed. The new mailbox is nice.
so maybe today we can come up with a list of things that we would like to do. We are finalizing the closing of our new line of credit to do the repairs/remodeling. It will be cheaper to remodel than buy a new house.

have a great day!
bizi

Here is the clear distinction. I feel I am at this point NOW...

but there was a time, were I was like Bizi and now I'm having to pick up the pieces and trying to convince my husband I don't currently have a problem has been a headache (oh, husband and father, since i mentioned father before)

I spend an inordinate amount of time online, but don't watch tv except what is available online like the olympics through bbc. Partly it is because it is so cold here now and my life is rather empty. Well at least I am keeping my language facilities and brain a little bit active. I also appreciate the social contact here. It is one of my main outlets for connection to the rest of the world.

I think I will give myself a break.
I think that my picking is a bad habit.
I am not a food junkie, I eat well for the most part.
caffeine is a drug that I have become habitual with,
like not in excess. 3-4 cups a day is not too too much.
Both the internet and alcohol are habits and addictions that I struggle with.
I am seeking balance in all areas of my life.
I will go to the gym in a bit so that will get me off the computer for a while, hubby needs it.
bizi

Good for you Bizi!

I think I might be having issues again...I don't know. I did something online and now I'm anxious about it (trying to rekindle an old friendship and I'm so anxious and nervous and sad that it might not happen or something bad might even happen.) and I'm doing everything and anything not to think about it, but I still keep obsessively checking for news, or checking that there is no news yet. Ugh!

But I am also working hard on my other stuff. It sucks that I'm so mentally preoccupied though, but I'm physically going through crap that keeps me from doing anything extra anyway, so perhaps it's best that I stay distracted...except that I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight. Sigh! I'm kinda an emotional wreck right now. Excited and anxious at the same time. It's mental! ...now to the bipolar checkin. *sigh*

I am sorry giddykitty that you are suffering.
I wish for you some peace of mind.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

ohhh! I have issues! No, I've been relatively good, but I still haven't gotten an answer and i'm so tempted to throw in the towel (and take back the request). This is so like making me vulnerable and looking stupid. I wish I could write a message...but i can't. So anyway, I need to be strong now though and try not to think...I just. well. this all makes me wonder if I'm even doing the right thing. Oh why does it hurt so bad??!!! (this IS internet addiction, because I'm going everywhere else to try to forget about this one thing...and I'm trying to distract myself with other stuff on that site, when I probably should be away from it.) ugh! what can I do?! (rhetorical, i think, because I just have to keep doing what i'm doing-stay distracted-awwweee!! i hate this!

Self care is what will help you stay sane.
We have to keep our stability and keep our bipolar under check.
We sometimes make hasty decisions due to our impulses. This doesn't make us bad people it just helps to explain our actions.
Wishing you some peace of mind.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

I think I curbed it just in time. Doesn't mean I'm not everywhere almost all the time (a few places had to take a break-here for instance, but others too). But I think that could be the meds and or the therapy helping. I'm starting to worry my therapist might be trying to get me on the hook with her. Actually, my husband thought so at first (It's better with him there though), but now I'm starting to wonder (suddenly, just now), because she's allowing me to email her whenever and however much. I'm being honest about this though, and will tell my pdoc that stuff is easier for me with help. I guess the point though is that it is still difficult. Wait, what thread is this?! Well, it is Kind of on the topic of addiction. Hmm