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Computer / Internet
Addiction - Self Diagnosis
Ten Symptoms of Computer Addiction
(by James Fearing,
Ph.D.)
• A demonstrated "loss of control" when trying to stop or
limit the amount of time on the computer. (Breaking promises to
self or others. Promising to quit or cut down and not being able to
do so)
• Being dishonest or minimizing the extent of
the time you stay on the computer, or covering up or being
dishonest about what activities you participate in when on the
computer.
• Negative consequences experienced by the
computer user or his/her friends or family as a direct result of
time or activities spent on the computer.
• Participation in high risk or normally
unacceptable behaviors when using the computer. Compromising your
morals and values based on the opportunity to remain anonymous and
protected on the computer. (a good test for this is to ask yourself
if your spouse, partner or family would approve of what you were
doing on the computer)
• An overdeveloped sense of importance for
the computer in ones life. Defending your right to use the computer
as much as desired, regardless of the fact that people in your life
are feeling left out and neglected. (denial of the problem and
justification; not being able to hear or feel what the other people
are saying regarding your computer behavior)
• Mixed feelings of euphoria (a "rush"),
combined with feelings of guilt brought on by either the inordinate
amount of time spent on the computer or the abnormal behavior acted
out while using the computer.
• Feelings of depression or anxiety when
something or someone shortens your time or interrupts your plans to
use the computer.
• Preoccupation with the computer and
computer activities when you are not using the computer (thinking
about the computer and its activities when doing something else;
i.e. having a family dinner, working on project deadline etc.)
• Finding yourself using the computer at
times when you are feeling uncomfortable, irritated, or sad about
something happening in your life. ( feeling uncomfortable in your
relationship, so you will self medicate and "hide out" on the
computer) Using time on the computer to become externally focused
outside yourself as a way to avoid facing what is happening in your
life, and avoiding feeling the appropriate feelings inside
yourself. (self medicating)
• Experiencing financial concerns or problems
in your life as a result of money being spent on computer hardware,
computer on-line charges, or any other costs associated with
computers. (Spending money on computer related items which should
have been allocated to other normal living expenses)
If you said yes to one question you may have a
problem with computer addiction. If you said yes to two questions,
there is a good chance you do have a problem with computer
addiction. If you answered yes to three or more, you are
demonstrating a pattern of behavior which would suggest that you
are addicted to your computer and/or the activities on it.
This questionaire was developed by James
Fearing, Ph.D., at the National Counseling Center in Minneapolis,
MN.
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