Are you a victim?
What are the long term effects?
Learn how to overcome IAD
Do you break out in a cold sweat if you’ve not checked your email for more then 1hr? Do you start getting nervous twitches if you don’t switch between Twitter, Facebook, your RSS feeds, IM and all the other never-ending new net toys popping up?

Let me guess, you’ve opened this article in a tab, you have IM running along with Twitter and are logged into Facebook. If I’m lucky I may have even caught you - as I am - sitting on the couch with my laptop and the TV on.

Are our computer geek lifestyles turning us all into scatter brains?

New York City psychiatrist Dr. Ivan Goldberg coined the term for this problem, calling it Internet addiction disorder. He says victim numbers are surging as our culture becomes increasingly dependent on the computer, through work but more so through socializing that is increasingly computer mediated.

A recent article on this subject posted on Digg from popular website Zenhabits received nearly 1000 Diggs. Here they have even listed specifically designed programs to measure your program and time usage, like ‘time snapper’ and page addict’. There were also a huge number of comments from self confessed sufferers of IAD from both websites. This also got me thinking how big really is the problem? and i started noticing that i might be an internet ADD suffer myself. Now where was i?

Are you a victim?

1. Are you able to not look at your computer or email for a few days?
2. Do you have trouble finishing things, like a project, after most of it has been done?
3. Do you crave more and more time at the computer and an inability to control computer time
4. On tasks that require concentrated thought, do you delay getting started?
5. Are you Ignoring family and friends
6. Do you feel like you’re always running around none-stop, always doing things?
7. Do you reflect on life often?

If you’ve got a few of these right then you should look into the problem further, visit your doctor.

Physical symptoms

* Carpal tunnel syndrome
* Migraine headache
* Backaches
* Dry eyes
* Eating abnormalities
* Sleep disturbances

What are the long term effects?

Compulsive behavior has strong links to depression and low self-esteem. These can wreak havoc on your life. Your relationships will break down, your health will decline and you could loose your job. It impairs our ability to sleep and eat. You will tire easily and will lack motivation for everything. You will even get sick easily as your immune system will be effected. The good news is that 80%-90% of those who seek treatment can feel better within just a few weeks.

Learn how to overcome IAD

As with any addictive pattern you have the ability to control their own behavior if you so desire.

Moderation and time management
Time management strategies, You need to monitor your browsing habits and discover your time wasters.

There are various software-based solutions to modify behavior, including: time snapper for Windows. You get reports on what apps you use most, saves screenshots of your desktop, and comes with a productivity calculator.
Page Addict records your visited websites and displays online reports & charts.

Also look at:
Spiritual healing
A 12-step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous
Pastoral counseling.

Behavior modification
Cognitive behavior therapy; identify the problem then take an active role in determining the solutions.
Relearn skills to prevent a return to bad habits.

RESOURCES:

The Center for Online Addiction

http://www.netaddiction.com

Computer Addiction Services at McLean Hospital

http://www.computeraddiction.com

Hopefully this will get you thinking about IAD, is sure has got me a little worries - I’ll have to look at having an internet free day or two very soon.