Healthy Computer Use or Addiction

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Healthy Computer Use or Addiction?

• Barbara Van Drie
• School Counselor

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Addiction

• No psychological disorder for computer
  addiction
• Research is in progress
• Most evidence is case study or anecdotal
• Spectrum of use
• Healthy Excessive Pathological

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Excessive computer use vs. pathological use

• Excessive computer use is more symptomatic of
  other problems or primary disorders
• Using the computer to counteract or escape other
  deficiencies

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Excessive computer use vs. pathological use

• Pathological use
• Look for problems, distress, tolerance symptoms,
  or mood-altering effects
• In the domains of academics, work, or
  interpersonal relationships

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Typical computer addict

• Teenager, usually male
• Technologically sophisticated
• Lonely
• May have little or no social life
• Low self-confidence
• Socially disinhibited online

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Video Games

• Most are great
• Problematic
• Point and shoot video games
• Combat conditioning through depersonalization and
  desensitization without the safeguard of military
  discipline and structure

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Internet Content

• Sexual
• Violent

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When to be concerned

• Is computer use excessive or pathological?
• Is it the problem or a symptom?
• Is depression, loneliness, or social anxiety
  present?
• Are impulse control disorders an issue?

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Healthy computer use

• Strong social skills
• Good self-concept
• Good relationships with family and friends
• Technology savvy
• Multiple interests