Posted by okydoky on July 30, 2008, at 19:16:18
In reply to Internet addiction - help!, posted by uncouth on July 27, 2008, at 21:27:23
I am trying to understand when this started? Did it start after you became depressed and continue in the periods when the depression was "successfully" treated, or did it start before the depression?
Do you think that it had a constructive place in your life during a time when it was not interfering with "social life, my growth as a young adult, my ability to extract pleasure from normal things in life, etc." and now that the need no longer exists the behavior has become routine? Perhaps it is as simple as changing your routine. I am not saying it is easily done. Sometimes when something outlasts its usefulness in our lives it is difficult to change our routine.
For example women with empty nest syndrome. All the routines they had existing around the need to care for their children become obsolete when the children can take care of themselves. Things in their lives that were once put on hold now need to be reinitiated or reexamined. The consequence of continuing in the same routines leaves their lives stagnant.
I dont know if this was a helpful analogy or not. I dont think it makes a hoot of difference what label you choose to give it. For some reason you are behaving in a way that is interfering in your life. Is that a pattern for you?
How long have you thought it was interfering with your life?
It is great that you recognized it. A lot of us are not able to do so. It is a big step. Being able to change it is your next step. From what you say it sounds like you are motivated. Beyond that, changing routines takes time and commitment.Do you see a therapsit you can discuss this with?
poster:okydoky
thread:842485
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080727/msgs/843122.html