quote:THE waiting room for Hilarie Cash's practice has the look and feel of many a therapist's office, with soothing classical music, paintings of gentle swans and colorful flowers and on the bookshelves stacks of brochures on how to get help.
But along with her patients, Dr. Cash, who runs Internet/Computer Addiction Services here in the city that is home to Microsoft, is a pioneer in a growing niche in mental health care and addiction recovery.
The patients, including Mike, 34, are what Dr. Cash and other mental health professionals call onlineaholics. They even have a diagnosis: Internet addiction disorder.
These specialists estimate that 6 percent to 10 percent of the approximately 189 million Internet users in this country have a dependency that can be as destructive as alcoholism and drug addiction, and they are rushing to treat it. Yet some in the field remain skeptical that heavy use of the Internet qualifies as a legitimate addiction, and one academic expert called it a fad illness.
I had this a long time ago...
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
If I'm sick, baby, I don't wanna be cured.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
My friend was telling me about her teenage daughter.
Daughter: "Mom, what's hypochondria? I think I might have it."
Mom: "I know you do, sweetie."
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
quote:Yet some in the field remain skeptical that heavy use of the Internet qualifies as a legitimate addiction, and one academic expert called it a fad illness.
I'd definitely call it an addiction. It may not be in your blood like alcoholism, but it's an addiction.
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
quote: It may not be in your blood
My siblings and I may argue that point.
--Enigmatic
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Hey, us non-drinking-non-smoking-non-drug-using addictive personalities with alcoholism rampant in our families have to have something to do.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Step One: We admitted we were powerless over problem — that our lives had become unmanageable.
Nah. I'm NOT taking that step. I could quit any time I want to. In fact, I think I will. Quit. Right. NOW.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Gah! Gasp! I'm back. That was hard, but I did it.
I can quit any time I want to. Now is just not a time that I want to.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Have fun.
Posted by MidnightBlue (Member # 6146) on :
quote:Originally posted by Uprooted: My friend was telling me about her teenage daughter.
Daughter: "Mom, what's hypochondria? I think I might have it."
Mom: "I know you do, sweetie."
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
I'm definitely addicted to love...opps I mean the internet. ("Addicted to love" is the song playing on my computer right now)
But yeah, they need to find an addiction to this cure. I just hope it's free.
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
I didn't realize I had a condition. I'd better blow up my computer and buy some crack so I can do something positive with my time.
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
"Hello, my name is Jenna, and I'm a HatCrackhead."
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
Hi jenna
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Hi Jenna!
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
quote:Originally posted by Evie3217: I'm definitely addicted to love...opps I mean the internet. ("Addicted to love" is the song playing on my computer right now)
But yeah, they need to find an addiction to this cure. I just hope it's free.
Now I've got that song going through my head ...
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
oooh, I can't wait for the Chick Tract--"Internet Addiction To H@#$@#!!!"
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Speaking of which... (and I'm trying to find a link) I read today that an Orthodix Jewish community's rabbi is commanding the members to ban all Internet access from their homes to protect their children?