I Breathe Internet !!!!!!!

1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous on-line activity or anticipate next on-line session)?

2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?

3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?

4. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?

5. Do you stay on-line longer than originally intended?

6.
Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of significant relationship,
job, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?

7. Have you lied to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?

8. Do you uses the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric
mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?

With
the age of computer technology, internet based employment and internet
based entertainment has taken many of us to a whole new level of
understanding the world in which we live. For those individuals still
young enough to remember a time without internet service, it is amazing
how quickly technology has advanced. With the advancement of internet
and Web technology comes the development of an all new mental health
epidemic commonly referred to as the internet addiction.
When
suffering from an addiction, of any sort, there is an overwhelming and
compulsive nature to repeat the same activity, over and over again,
often promoted by a chemical change within the brain. Because our
brains are equipped with a positive reward pathway, we are positively
stimulated when this pathway is activated; known as an impulse-control
disorder. Over time, this stimulation of the brain results in a
permanent level of brain chemical released resulting in an addiction.
Addictions associated with the impulse control mechanism may include
food, drugs, ----------- and, now, internet addiction.

For
individuals suffering from internet addiction, the most common symptoms
exhibited may include lack of job performance and inhibited social
interaction, a pre-occupation with the internet with some addicts
searching out methods for obtaining access to the Web at work, at home
and when out in public. Often, the pre-occupation with the internet
takes over all aspects of functioning with some addicts and, in rare
cases, these internet addicts will remain secluded at home without any
contact with the outside world.

Although still difficult to
diagnose, the common thread with true internet addicts is the tendency
to avoid all other areas of functioning. While internet surfing is
common, even in large amounts of time, those individuals who choose
internet surfing while avoiding essential daily tasks, even sleeping,
would most certainly be considered addicts. In addition, the internet
addict will show tendency to suffer from co-morbid mental health
conditions such as depression and anxiety and may find the internet
helps to relieve symptoms commonly associated with these other mental
health conditions.

Quote :

“When
you start or end your day on the Internet checking e-mails or chatting,
that’s a sign that technology is taking over your life,” O’Neill said.

The rise of internet addiction is markable in our society today, and with the time it is becoming a huge problem.

or do you disagree?