Guilty as charged ... can I do my therapy sessions online too? :)

So I log onto check my email for like the 20th time today and this is what the headlines say:

Internet addictions: A real medical menace?

Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:20PM EDT

See Comments (40)

Buzz up!on Yahoo!

Alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and even shopping are all candidates for medical treatment and are recognized as genuine mental disorders, so what about the Internet? Internet addiction -defined as "excessive gaming, sexual pre-occupations, and email/text messaging" - is becoming so common that at least one psychiatrist says it merits inclusion in psychiatry's official handbook of mental illness, the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

Dr. Jerald Block of the Oregon Health and Science University is the latest voice pushing for this inclusion, noting that tech junkies display genuinely debilitating behavior, including drug-like cravings, withdrawal, and a constant need for more and better gear - just like a substance addict might exhibit.

But other doctors comment that Internet addiction, while it may be real, is too new of a condition and needs further study before being medically classified. There might be something to this: No one wants people being medicated or institutionalized if they aren't genuinely ill.

The "Manual of Mental Disorders" won't be published again until 2012, but an early draft will arrive for public comment in 2009. Meanwhile, mind docs say the problem is growing, now possibly affecting up to 10 percent of Internet users. Recent studies are surprising, indicating the problem is worst not among game-obsessed teens, but rather among middle-aged women who stay at home, constantly on the computer as a way of connecting to the outside world.

Is computer use (or computer downtime) causing a problem in your life? If so, you might be an addict. But you'll have to wait a few more years to find out for sure.

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As you can tell from my header I am for sure addicted!!! I can't help it! I feel so productive when I am using the internet. I do all sorts of things in a short amount of time that I couldn't get done otherwise... for example, networking with other mom's, running my 2 businesses, emailing, keeping in touch with family, blogging, checking out good vs. bad products for my children, learning through reading... if it's on the internet it MUST be true! So you see this consumes my day, but I am SO productive. You wouldn't believe how much I can accomplish! Crazy thing is... I don't even "chat" online. I don't have any of the messengers... gosh what would I be like if I downloaded that?

I must admit though... I check my email like it's my job :-) I was talking with my friend Mandy this morning and her internet has been down for like a few weeks. I was like.. "Mandy... how can you STAND to NOT HAVE INTERNET?!" Craziest thing about that... I was DEAD serious!

I thought these were some hilarious comments from people on yahoo regarding the above article:

1. All those in favor of starting a "Internet Anonymous" chatgroup say "I". xD Aah, irony.
2. HA! I could quit using the internet anytime I want to. I just don't want to.
3. Ok so what actual symptoms denote an addiction to the net? I read an interestig article on...I'm just kidding. I am addicted too gosh darn it
4. I guess I'm a binge-surfer
5. I'm addicted to using the internet to find out if I have an internet addiction problem...
6. "Hi, I'm bob and I'm an internet addict." "Hi, Bob!"
7. Thank God I have another excuse for my irresponsible choices: "The Internet made me do it!"
8. Yes I do agree this is addicting look at me now sitting here posting a comment ON THE INTERNET! There was a time when i think back and say i can believe i how bad this can get... like the time i discovered Myspace. My poor son was living off of oreos for breakfast and lunch for a while
9. New addiction, means new patients, means new Mercedes for the doctor. Horse feathers!
10. YES.. i'm addicted.. it sucks.. even my husband is.. he tried to find me a doctor on sweetimplants.com and I did.. now i use internet for everything..