Computer Addiction

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Computer Addiction
Are you addicted?
Adapted from the presentation of Richard T.
Farmer SBA at Miami University
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Are you addicted?

• Falling grades or difficulties in the workplace
• Feelings of emptiness when not on-line
• Lack of control over time spent using computers
• Waking up early or staying up late to use your
  computer
• Taking a laptop computer on vacation and being
  anxious to plug it in
• Getting nervous if you let an hour go by without
  checking your e-mail
• Believing your best friends are those on-line
  that you have never met

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What is computer addiction?

• Often called Computer Addiction, Internet
  Addictive Disorder or Cyberaddiction
• A psychological craving to partake in an activity
  that produces an alternate reality via the
  computer or the Internet.

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Psychological Symptoms

• Having a sense of well being or euphoria while at
  the computer
• Inability to stop the activity
• Craving more and more time at the computer
• Neglect of family and friends
• Problems with school or job

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Physical Symptoms

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Dry eyes and migraine headaches
• Sleep disturbances
• Backaches
• Eating irregularities
• Failure to attend to personal hygiene

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What causes the addiction?

• Social ease inherent with e-mail and chat rooms
• User anonymity
• Multimedia experiences
• Vast number of destinations
• Education/Entertainment
• Low expense

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Who is affected?

• Children addicted to video games
• Office workers with e-mail and Internet
• Adults searching for companionship
• College students

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Who is affected?

• 2-5 of computer users
• People with a compulsive behavior

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Where to get help?

• Various support groups like Interneters
  Netaholics Anonymous, Webaholics, and Cyberwidows
• Medical treatment
• Doctors

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Questions???

• Does CA really exist? If so, will it get worse?
• Who is to blame?
• How should it be treated?
• Who will pay for the treatment?
• Is it a positive or negative addiction?

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Questions???

• What are the long term social impacts of CA?
• With computerized society, can addicts
  realistically go permanently off-line?
• What are family implications?
• What are the workplace / school implications?