Under Pressure, Obama Exempts Religious Groups From Contraception Rule
Book Shatters Stereotypes On Muslim Women, Sex And Love
"Online addiction" probably makes you picture a nerdy guy staying up to the wee hours playing World of Warcraft or surfing "adult sites." But these days new moms are the fastest-growing group of Internet addicts.
Between being home alone with a newborn and feeling disconnected from her old self, the computer can be like crack for new mothers.
Typing to Reach You
Last May, Internet addiction disorder was nominated for inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -- the bible of the psychology community -- for the first time. LOLs aside (we all have a bit of an addiction, right?), experts say the condition is real; a Stanford University national survey found that 14 percent of Internet users feel it's hard to stay away from the computer for several days at a time (we plead the fifth).
Coleen Moore, coordinator of resource development at the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, says more young mothers are becoming addicted to blogs, message boards and sites like Second Life to fill the emptiness.
"In addiction treatment, we talk about the fact that there's a void," Moore says. "Whatever that void may be -- whether it's emotional, spiritual, physical."
Click here to find out why Internet addictions can be so bad for new moms.
Online All the Time
In the worst cases, online-obsessed moms neglect their kids and forget to do everyday things like shower. Even if it's not that extreme, Internet junkies run the risk of missing crucial bonding time with their babies.
Rachel Mosteller realized she had a problem when she saw that her laptop was prominently featured in photos of her two young children.
"Sometimes I found myself up into the wee hours of the morning, surfing the Web while my family slept," she said. "I read the news, kept up with friends, and looked up answers to endless questions. I wrote my personal blog and read dozens of others, just for something to do."
Elina from New York initially began using the Internet to do parenting research. She said she became so addicted to the Internet after having her son last year that she would "search every little issue, from feeding questions to sleep problems," she told Lemondrop. "I then would get sucked in reading stuff about SIDS and scaring myself in the process. I also got pulled into reading product reviews since I didn't want to waste money on something that wasn't exactly what I wanted or that wasn't useful."
When to Seek Help
Moms -- and the rest of us -- can curb the cyber urge by recording how they feel each time they log online. Much like other addictions, Internet overuse might be triggered by a stressful situation, like a fight with your spouse or a particularly draining night with the baby.
Moore says planning weekly "real world" activities, like meeting with other moms at the park, can help get you away from the computer. If that doesn't work, it may be time to see a shrink.
As for former Internet addict Mosteller, she quit her excessive blogging and is trying to meet "real" people. Elina went another route by creating an information site for new moms so they won't waste time scouring the Web for info.
Think you might be addicted to the Net? Take this test to find out.
Comments:
Add a comment
Friday 01 May
By Margaret
"INTERNET ADDICTION DISORDER", cuter to say, "IAD."
I have IAD but I want to have IAD because I am fully entertained, totally stimulated with all the colors, buzzes and whistles and I can look up information (though it is just some writers opinions, who can write well but still don't know a dam thing); even so, the times I have considered, "Are you wasting your life?", the alternatives sort of ache me. The one thing the computer age has taught us alll is that personable sociability is hard work, painful to the sensory and difficult to get your "central" (equilibrium) back again. It is difficult to stay graceful. But on the internet you can let off steam and say some nasty stuff to somebody and feel better again.
BUT EVEN MORE...on the net is where you can argue points and you can learn points and you can see how "powerful" and "controlling" people are still powerful and controlling online.
I am addicted but unaddictable. This is one of my work places. I am a writer. But if I was a young woman, especially a mother, I would certainly limit my time on the internet. Oh, I would use it, like I would watch one soap opera a day if I was home with my child, but I would certainly limit TV and limit the internet. I would enjoy my times as a mother because they pass fast and all the mistakes you wish you had not made are made and can't be erased but if you pay attention and make up your mind you are going to be fully engaged and have a devoted go of it, you will have a good life experience. And, you've got partners on the net to help you stay sane and stable in the process. As I was told: YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO LATER...be a good mother. That person was right. I do have time but to be honest it is not youthful time--my youth was spent devotedly. So, of course the answer to that is, If you think you want your youth for the internet, shopping for cute shoes and cute boys, barbles, bagels and beads, Broadway shows, travels and concerts, care-free living...then, don't get pregnant.
The internet can be a wonderful place, never a dull moment, but addicted?
Make a point to go outside in the sun, eat plenty of fiber, drink some fresh water, lay off the coffee (it is drying) and exercise 30 minutes a day, and do an hour of housework once a week. You'll be fine and your intellect will be stimulated and your emotional feelings won't be slammed every time you meet someone socially. There are benefits online but there are hells waiting online too if you want to go there. but that's real life, isn't it?
Reply