Out of curiosity

Are you an Internet addict?

Internet addiction can be defined as an impulse-control disorder which does not involve an intoxicant. Young (1996) developed a brief eight-item questionnaire to provide a screening instrument for addictive Internet use: 

1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous on-line activity or anticipate next on-line session)?
   
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
   
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
   
4. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
   
5. Do you stay on-line longer than originally intended?
   
6. Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
   
7. Have you lied to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?
   
8. Do you uses the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?

Patients were considered “addicted” when answering “yes” to five (or more) of the questions.

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