INTERNET addiction

Bizi,

Thanks for this thread. I am trying to only spend 1 hour or less a day on my computer. Addiction to places like PC can sort of sneak up on you. It is a lot like food addictions (where you eat to sooth yourself rather than just for the sustainance) because you can't stop eating food, rather, you have to figure out how to moderate your behavior. People need the internet for school, work, finances, etc. Yesterday, I was reading and posting at PC more than an hour. Some of the stories are fascinating, triggering, etc. I see people in the Psychoanalysis Forum complaining about unhealthy attachment to their therapist. I am not complaining but I've become attached to some people here. It feels weird and unreal. I have found myself wondering if I have all sorts of psych problems that I probably don't even have. Though it is not right what people like Jussie Smolllett have done to get attention--I wonder if the internet contributed to his downfall? Some of us have to be on guard so we don't get sucked up into it. Taking it day by day. Will try to make this (this morning) the only time I "look" today....

Bizi,

Noticed this is not your thread--it is more like you adopted it.

Though I have not spent that much time on PC yet today , I have been thinking that I am not completely addicted to the internet (that is my GAD/hypochondria), it is just a bad habit I developed because I relied on PC to get encouragement/help sorting out a confusing event. I am not quite as confused now. They say we tell ourselves stories and constantly tweak/revise stories about traumatic events in our life. The stories are about finding meaning about what happened. Our interpretation of the events makes all the difference in whether or not we heal ourselves. What matters in life is supporting each other. Maybe we need the "thanks" and "hugs" while we are sorting through it all. Though we might get "hooked" on them, this is a good place. That I am aggravated to be "attached" or that I miss (members that left) some of the wonderful people who just tried to help me is a bit dysfunctional. But yes, we do sometimes need to reevaluate how we are spending our time without making it into a crisis when it might not be.....

for me....I am addicted to it.
I am on line as much as I can get away with. I have favorited bipolar neurotalk, bipolar and addictions at psychcentral, yahoo email, facebook, spark people(a dieting and cutting down drinking) and Hams forum (a cutting back on drinking forum).
So what I do is sit and scroll thru my favorites again and again seeing if any one has posted to me.
I call it mental masturbation.
bizi

Well here I am again....have been on line for hours. Hubby went to join his friends for drinks after the concert tonight. He dropped me off back home because I am not drinking right now and did not want to be out around people with out a drink in my hand. I have social anxiety issues.
Alcohol lubricates those awkward moments.
After mardi gras I was at my highest weight. so decided to give up alcohol and started dieting for lent.
so far have lost a good 12 pounds in a months time.
So that is good.
I am still 7 pounds heavier than what I was before christmas break.

sigh

I will get there.
so working on 2 out of 3 addictions.
At least I am working on some of my problems.
bizi