We’ve all been there whiling away the hours: A great new PC game, chat rooms, email, instant messaging, downloading MP3’s, and surfing, surfing, surfing the Internet. Most of us keep our computer usage under control, but for some it is an addiction. In this article I’ll hit the highlights of some of the signs and remedies of computer addiction so that we can be more vigilant of our own habits as well as those of our relatives.

Computer obsession is a new phenomenon that so-called professionals cannot even agree exists. After all, this is the Technology Age and computer use is not a single, isolated experience but rather several different tasks that we are involved in, many out of necessity. There are plenty of jokes about being a PC junkie but most of us just laugh them off. Some say it is merely a compulsion not an addiction. By definition, a compulsion is harmless while an addiction is harmful. We need to judge for ourselves and discuss the circumstances with our relatives.

 

  

From teenagers to the geriatric crowd, no segment of our country is immune. For the shy, chatting online offers an ability to easily interact “socially”, going so far as allowing them to create fictitious personalities. For others, it may be the glitz of the Internet: the colorful animations, the variety of content, a spell-binding game, and even online gambling. Online game playing is reportedly to blame for many college students flunking out. This Information Age is all new to us and understandably interesting and exciting – and tempting.

The symptoms of computer addiction are:

  • Impatience while interacting with “real” people
  • Irritability when not playing a video game
  • Withdrawal
  • Emptiness when not online
  • Failing grades
  • Over-thinking of your computer when you’re not using it
  • Believing your best friends are strangers online
  • Strained relationships with family members
  • Spending an inordinate amount of your monthly budget on computers or accessories
  • Lack of control of computer time

Now, here’s the really disturbing part: Most of the support groups that deal with computer addiction are online! In my research, I didn’t see any advice on treatment anywhere online. Perhaps our culture is in complete denial. Or maybe it’s still too new a condition. Maybe the professionals don’t want to give away any advice – they want to be paid for all of it. Years from now, a whole movement will probably look back and ask why we didn’t see it and do anything.

Many of us know at least one person who we suspect is a computer addict. Since there is so little information out there regarding treatment, we’re on our own to handle it. Good old Midwestern common sense should do it. So, if you have a family member or who you think is going overboard with computer use, say something. Down the road, he/she may look back and thank you for caring.