Excessive emails and text are a mental illness

[ecstatic]

PEOPLE who send excessive texts and emails may have a mental illness, according to an article in a leading psychiatric journal.

As more people leave the office computer, only to log on as soon as they get home, the American Journal of Psychiatry has found addiction to text messaging and emailing could be another form of mental illness.

The article, by Dr Jerald Block, said there were four symptoms: suffering from feelings of withdrawal when a computer cannot be accessed; an increased need for better equipment; need for more time to use it; and experiencing the negative repercussions of their addiction.

Dr Block said that although text messaging was not directly linked to the Internet, it was a form of instant messaging and needed to be included among the criteria.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23414957-2,00.html

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I'm very bad when it comes to responding to phone texts, emails, etc, and I refuse to upgrade to a Blackberry. But... lately I've watched myself become OBSESSED with this election, and my posts on DU have skyrocketed, and I'm feeling slightly depressed. I think this article may be on to something.

[sharesunited]

1. What about posting to message boards

where the number of your posts is a direct status symbol?

[NashVegas]

2. Most People Get Over It

The rest are no more addicted to the internet than soap opera fans are to their favorite TV shows, and for the same reason: drama.

[Ordr]

3. Cute.

More "mentally ill" people who can abuse our welfare system.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. I hardly ever text and I'm the worst at returning emails

However, my 13,467 posts in under four years on DU no doubt puts me in that mix someplace. :P

[flor de jasmim]

5. On the up side, I'm not drinking, smoking.... ;-)

[Kokonoe]

6. I'm addicted

I'm addicted to shoes.

there were four symptoms: suffering from feelings of withdrawal when shoes cannot be accessed; an increased need for better equipment; need for more time to use it; and experiencing the negative repercussions of my addiction.

[KansDem]

7. You know, I have similar feelings...

I respond to emails almost immediately, but feel a sense of rejection when my emails aren't answered in a "timely fashion." It's as if I've become obsessed with "acceptance via email." I'll think to myself, "OK, what's going on here? Why haven't they answered?"

Then I go home and drink scotch...

Is your depression caused by the feeling that the more you post the less control you realize you have?

[ecstatic]

9. I want to tune out this election, but I can't

I want to swear off CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and DU. I will try starting tomorrow.

Oh, and they haven't answered because they are probably serial procrastinators, like me.

[RedCappedBandit]

8. Aye. I'm also addicted to chocolate chip cookies.