 |
Am I an Internet Addict?Are you a Internet (Net) Addict? Take this short survey to see if you need further evaluation. Adapted from Ten Symptoms of Computer Addiction (by James Fearing, Ph.D) Circle the question number for each "yes" answer
2. Being dishonest or minimizing the extent of the time you spend surfing the Internet (Net), or covering up or being dishonest about what activities you participate in when surfing the Net. 3. Negative consequences experienced by the Net surfer or friends or family as a direct result of time or activities spent surfing the Net. 4. Participation in high risk or normally unacceptable behaviors when surfing the Net... Compromising your morals and values based on the opportunity to remain anonymous and protected on the computer. (a good test for this is to ask yourself if your spouse, partner or family would approve of what you were doing on the computer) 5. An overdeveloped sense of importance for surfing the Net in ones life. Defending your right to surf the Net as much as desired, regardless of the fact that people in your life are feeling left out and neglected. (denial of the problem and justification; not being able to hear or feel what the other people are saying regarding your playing behavior) 6. Mixed feelings of euphoria (a "rush"), combined with feelings of guilt brought on by either the inordinate amount of time spent on Video Games or the abnormal behavior acted out while surfing the Net. 7. Feelings of depression or anxiety when something or someone shortens your time or interrupts your plans to surf the Net. 8. Preoccupation with surfing the Net when you are not on the Net (thinking about the Net when doing something else; i.e. having a family dinner, working on project deadline etc. 9. Finding yourself surfing the Net at times when you are feeling uncomfortable, irritated, or sad about something happening in your life. (feeling uncomfortable in your relationship, so you will self medicate and "hide out" on the computer) surfing the Net to become externally focused outside yourself as a way to avoid facing what is happening in your life, and avoiding feeling the appropriate feelings inside yourself. (self medicating) 10. Experiencing financial concerns or problems in your life as a result of money being spent on surfing the Net, hardware, computer on-line charges, or any other costs associated with surfing the Net. (Spending money on Net related items which should have been allocated to other normal living expenses) If you said yes to one question you may have a problem with Internet addiction. If you said yes to two questions, there is a good chance you do have a problem with Internet addiction. If you answered yes to three or more, you are demonstrating a pattern of behavior which would suggest that you are addicted to the Net. This questionnaire was adapted from Ten Symptoms of Computer Addiction developed by James Fearing, Ph.D., at the National Counseling Center in Minneapolis, MN.
|
