INTERNET USERS TURN ADDICTS!!!!

I just met some weird people on the web.... so i decided to write something different and useful to u guys and gals using the net on go and anywhere.....just go through it..... please don't mind if you do not belong to this category of people whom am gonna tel you about....!

If you're an Internet user, you know who you are. They are among all of us in society, although many may choose to not acknowledge that they too, frequently use the Internet. As I sit here and look across the street, I see a man in front of his own computer; the screen glowing against the window behind him. He does not use his personal computer for work, he is a farmer. He has become what is known as an "Internet Junky".

The addiction begins innocently. At the start, you are not even aware of the possibilities that may form from your excessive computer use. You begin to take an avid interest in e-mailing with your friends and family. Once the novelty of keeping in touch with your colleagues wears off, and researching starts to bore you, you may possibly expand your computer usage to chatting. Yes, chatting. It is something that is becoming more acceptable in our lives, but it is still looked down upon by many skeptics. Chatting through the Internet involves choosing an appropriate nickname for yourself (IE: Fisherman), and then finding a room where you feel compelled to spend time in. Once you've entered the room, other fellow chatters may say, "Hello...a/s/l (age/sex/location) please."


And so begins the addiction. Once you become involved in meeting people online, it is difficult to break such a habit. You may even make a daily habit of it. People have been found to carry out exactly the same behavior, not only across the nation, but across the globe. In any one room, you may come across people from five different countries of the world. Granted, not everyone who stays online for hours on end, are enveloped in chatting, but it is more often then not, the cause for Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD).

The prevalence of Internet Addiction Disorder has been increasing in number, hence a support group, among many, The Internet Addiction Support Group (IASG) has been developed. IAD, a "maladaptive" pattern for Internet use, is leading to impairment and/or distress caused by three (or more) of the following, at any time in a period of one year: "A) A need for markedly increased amounts of time on Internet to achieve satisfaction, B) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time on Internet.", C) Reduction in Internet use which has been prolonged.

Symptoms of Internet Addiction Disorder include: "A) Psychomotor agitation, B) anxiety, C) obsessive thinking about what is happening on Internet, D) fantasies or dreams about Internet, E) voluntary or involuntary typing movements of the fingers." These symptoms begin to cause conflict in "social, occupational, or another important area of functioning." People who become addicted, use the Internet to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms, which are similar to those brought on by the halt of drug use. The disorder is recognized by the "persistent desire" or "unsuccessful efforts" to minimize the Internet use.


On June 14, 1998, ABC news reported that an "Internet crazed" Cincinnati woman was arrested for neglecting her three young children. The woman reportedly spent 12 hours straight online, while her hungry kids were locked away in a room so she could be online without interruption.

The Internet is rapidly becoming an addictive source to a lot of its users. Use of the Internet include: students, housewives, and business professionals. Some of these users spend a minimum of thirty-eight hours per week on the "net"; hence, losing touch with reality and reeking havoc on their studies, family lives, and even their careers. Based on level of addiction, there are three groups of Internet addicts: A) the "I'm-not-addicted-users", B) the "I-only-use-it-when-I-have-to-users", and C) the "Internet Junkies."

The "I'm not addicted users" are those who try to convince themselves that they are not addicted to the Internet. This group includes college students who don't go online during the day to prove to fellow classmates that they can do without getting online; only, to stay up all night in a chat room. College students are not the only people who fit in this category though. In general, these users are addicts but portray themselves otherwise in the presence of people. The "I only use it when I have to users", are those who make convenient excuses to go online. And finally, the "Internet Junkies" are unlike the addicts in the previous two groups, these users neither sneak online nor make excuses to get online. They put their lives on hold while engrossed with their computer usage.


People who seem addicted to the Internet often show signs of psychiatric disorders such as, manic-depression. Psychiatrist Nathan Shapira of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, studied 14 people who had spent so much time online, that they were facing problems at home, job loss, and flunking out of school. Nine of the 14 people studied, were found to have manic-depression at the time of the interview; half of the users had anxiety disorder such as "social phobia"; three suffered from eating disorders; four had uncontrollable burst of anger; and eight had abused alcohol or drugs at some time in their life.

People with no prior sign of psychiatric trouble have gotten hooked on the Internet too. Yes, it is avoidable, but still many people fall into the addictive track, just as if it were smoking, drinking, or any other habitual behavior. The addiction can attack anyone, of any age. Today's youth live with the Internet as a daily part of their lives. Chatting after school and on the weekends is listed among the usual activities like sporting events and shopping. Help is available, but don't get yourself tangled into the addiction. It's hard to break once you've got yourself wound into the habit. Good luck fellow Internet users.

My 8 Commandments

Well guys, this is my first blog. I scratched around for some time.. then let my heart speak for itself... Life is all about exploring the beauty hidden in each phase of it... well i found out the following things (if followed) make it easier for us to do that...

Count your blessings

As I noted in an article, research indicates that when individuals record on a regular basis two or three things for which they are grateful, they experience greater optimism, connectedness to others, and more peaceful sleep. In our frenetic world, we can easily get caught up with pressures, stresses, and negativity and fail to appreciate the good things in our lives, something as simple as a child giving us a hug, a boss writing us a note of appreciation, a friend taking the time to send us an e-mail with a series of jokes.


Practice acts of kindness

There appears to be an inborn desire to provide support and assistance to others, a desire that lasts a lifetime. For instance, elderly people who are actively involved in helping others have been found to lead more meaningful, longer lives. So try this out!


Savor life's joys

We live in a world bombarded with technology that pervades all aspects of our life. I am not against technology but what concerns me is when we permit technology to interfere with enjoying the moment. Must a meal at a restaurant with close friends or playing with one's child be interrupted by answering a phone call? Or, as I witnessed recently, must one be on a cell phone while jogging? Or must the television be on while your family is eating dinner? Distractions such as these lessen our enjoyments.


Thank a mentor

Think about a significant person in your life (it could be a mentor, a friend, a relative) and write that individual a note of appreciation. Notice the feelings that are generated. It will not only be a gift to that person but to you as well. Doing so helps you as well as them to feel satisfied and happy.


Learn to forgive

The topic of forgiveness is receiving increasing attention, especially within the field of positive psychology. It is not easy to forgive. I agree, especially in cases involving emotional and physical aspects. A major feature of forgiving is to insure that our lives not be dominated by intense anger and thoughts of revenge.


Invest time and energy in friends and family

In the book The Power of Resilience, Sam Goldstein highlights the importance of connections in promoting a resilient lifestyle. Unfortunately, many people do not devote the necessary time nurturing significant relationships. It is little wonder that they experience anxiety and depression, since they are not living a life in concert with what they say they value. I do not believe most people can change their schedules overnight. However, I have seen many individuals slowly and realistically build in time with their spouses, children, and friends. When we set as a priority the strengthening of our relationships, it is possible to accomplish.



Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardships

Leading a resilient lifestyle does not imply the absence of problems and stresses, but rather that when hardships arise, the person has developed effective ways of coping. When confronted with challenges, resilient individuals do not moan in resignation, "Another burden that I will have difficulty handling." Instead, they are prepared to cope with these challenges in productive ways. The key factor is to be proactive rather than reactive by developing a wide range of coping strategies. When we feel in command of our emotions and behaviors, we are more inclined to experience contentment.


Finally, In a world often dominated with negativity, I find it hopeful that researchers and clinicians are displaying an increased appreciation of the importance of studying positive aspects of life such as empathy, caring, compassion, altruism, integrity, forgiveness, spirituality, and humor. I believe that as research continues to identify those factors that contribute to happiness, optimism, and resilience, we will be in a better position to make choices about our lifestyle that can enhance our emotional and physical well-being and our relationships with others. It is research well-worth our time and attention!