This document discusses computer addiction, defining it as an excessive desire and use of computers or the internet that leads to negative consequences. It notes that computer addiction can involve excessive gaming offline or online internet addiction. The document states that people often turn to computers to manage unpleasant feelings like stress or loneliness. Signs of addiction include intense desires to use computers, lying about computer activities, mood issues around limited use, and using computers to escape reality. Effects include relationship, job, health and financial problems. Suggested treatments involve counseling, group support and changing interests.

2. Computer Addiction.
 “Excessive desire and subsequent use of
the internet or the computer that results
in negative consequences socially,
financially, physically, emotionally or
otherwise for the user. A preoccupation
with computers can lead to problems
with relationships, problems with
productivity or problems with self-care
and hygiene”.

3.  Offline Computer Addiction: excessive
gaming behavior, which can both be
practiced offline and online.
 Online Computer Addiction: Commonly
known as Internet addiction.

4. How do people become
addicted?
 Many people turn to the Internet
in order to manage unpleasant
feelings such as stress, loneliness,
depression, and anxiety.
 Losing yourself online can
temporarily make feelings such
as loneliness, stress, anxiety,
depression, and boredom
evaporate into thin air.

5. Are you addicted?
 Feeling an intense desire to go online, play a computer game, or socialize, being drawn by the
computer as soon as you have a chance.
 Spending time on the computer despite family functions taking place, special events, or other
activities.
 Replacing old hobbies with excessive use of the computer and using the computer as your
primary source of entertainment and procrastination.
 Performing actions on the computer that are outside the realm of what your original plans.
 Lying to your family and friends about the activities that you perform while on the computer.
 Having an emotional attachment to your computer.
 Possessing anxious feelings when wanting to use the computer or knowing that time on the
computer is limited.
 Exhibiting mood swings or irritability when you are not allowed to spend as much time on the
computer as you would like to or if your computer time is interrupted
 Losing track of time while on the computer and spending more time on it than intended
 Using the computer as a form of escapism from reality

6. Effects
 Overspending on hardware, software or other computer items.
 Loss of relationships.
 Loss of a job due to a lack of productivity, giving up career goals in
an effort to spend more time on the computer, lack of productivity
on school assignment.
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain and numbness in hands and wrists).
 Dry eyes or strained vision.
 Back aches and neck aches; severe headaches.
 Sleep disturbances.
 Pronounced weight gain or weight loss.

7. Treatments
 Counseling and therapy
 Group Support
 Changing Interests

8. References
 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm
 http://www.addictions.com/computer/