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Ask HN: How to Fight Internet Addiction?

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Re: Ask HN: How to Fight Internet Addiction?

#11

Post by p_ing »

lekker-kapsalon wrote: post #5
p_ing wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Therapist to start discussions about depression and porn addiction. As for engaging in new things, it's hard to say without knowing what city and I don't suggest saying which here, but maybe find the subreddit for your city and asking for ideas.

Thanks. It does not feel like depression as I had a few and they felt different. But definitely related to the lack of goals and meanings.

Depression doesn't mean 'sad' per se. Disengagement, lack of interest, etc. still fall into the window of depression. Overuse of addictive things (porn, drugs, alcohol) are also a sign.

Even if it is for a single session, I'd suggest talking to a professional therapist. If they're local, they even may have great ideas on things you may enjoy out of the house/connecting to other human beings in person. They may also suggest medications; I strongly suggest if you go the med route to see a psychiatrist over a primary care physician; psychiatrists simply know their stuff better/can monitor you more effectively.

Re: Ask HN: How to Fight Internet Addiction?

#12

Post by squeegee_scream »

- Find a way to make it impossible to do the things you're trying to avoid. For Apple products setup Screen Time and give someone else the passcode. I'm sure there are solutions for other OSes out there

- Practice self denial and doing things that hurt, such as fasting and cold exposure (like a cold shower or cold bath). These are good for people in general. I'm not sure how universal this is but doing these things gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment which makes it easier to do other difficult things that I want to do but otherwise avoid

Good luck, these things are designed to be addictive and our biology has not caught up to give us sufficient built-in resistances. This stuff is very difficult, and kudos for reaching out! You can do this!

Re: Ask HN: How to Fight Internet Addiction?

#13

Post by WarOnPrivacy »

lekker-kapsalon wrote: post #9
WarOnPrivacy wrote: post #7

The difference that ADHD meds made in my life: Effort finally led to results. Before I'd throw will and habit-making-changes at compulsions (like posting for hours) but it never really got better. When I went on Adderall, I gained critical control over my thinking. I could direct myself where I needed to be and didn't need to struggle every second with it. I later realized that control belonged in my hands all along…

How did you decide to go for meds? Some people mention that the usual sign is having study/career issues, but I don’t have any.

I tried an amphetamine tablet and it felt like a muddied cloud has been lifted from my brain. I asked my GP to try Adderall and he agreed.

That was ~20y ago. Since then, a lot of hostility has been ginned up by US press and politicians toward adhd meds. That led to state and federal enforcement constantly signalling to Dr's that prescribing adhd meds will earn them extra attention.

FF to today. You commonly need to establish a relationship with a prescriber before they'll consider writing these scripts. Psychiatrists do the lion's share of Rx'ng but they often want to try other meds first. This isn't always a great process but a good psych will work with you if you work with them. It takes time.

In theory, your very best bet is finding other people who are on adhd meds and find out who prescribes it for them and what that process is like. But for how you identify those folks - I have no advice.

edit: Two of my adult kids are on Ritalin variants; Adderall is not a good fit for them. There are also some non-stimulant focus enhancers. Psychiatrists are the specialists in this area.

If you get meds and they help, it can be like having new tools to work with. A therapist can save you some floundering around time - help you get productive with those tools.

Re: Ask HN: How to Fight Internet Addiction?

#14

Post by lekker-kapsalon »

squeegee_scream wrote: post #12

- Find a way to make it impossible to do the things you're trying to avoid. For Apple products setup Screen Time and give someone else the passcode. I'm sure there are solutions for other OSes out there - Practice self denial and doing things that hurt, such as fasting and cold exposure (like a cold shower or cold bath). These are good for people in general. I'm not sure how universal this is but doing these things g…

I set Screen Time blockers, it is fine for a day or two, then I need to lookup something on let’s say YouTube and it is blocked, I get mad, unblock everything, and scroll for hours.

Re: Ask HN: How to Fight Internet Addiction?

#15

Post by WarOnPrivacy »

lekker-kapsalon wrote: post #9
WarOnPrivacy wrote: post #7

The difference that ADHD meds made in my life: Effort finally led to results. Before I'd throw will and habit-making-changes at compulsions (like posting for hours) but it never really got better. When I went on Adderall, I gained critical control over my thinking. I could direct myself where I needed to be and didn't need to struggle every second with it. I later realized that control belonged in my hands all along…

How did you decide to go for meds? Some people mention that the usual sign is having study/career issues, but I don’t have any.

Among the jobs I've had after being on Adderall are prepping bankruptcy cases and bringing order to neglected, complex, technical systems.

I've gone from being the disorganized mess that needed help to being the guy that helps iron out messes.

Re: Ask HN: How to Fight Internet Addiction?

#17

Post by squeegee_scream »

lekker-kapsalon wrote: post #14
squeegee_scream wrote: post #12

- Find a way to make it impossible to do the things you're trying to avoid. For Apple products setup Screen Time and give someone else the passcode. I'm sure there are solutions for other OSes out there - Practice self denial and doing things that hurt, such as fasting and cold exposure (like a cold shower or cold bath). These are good for people in general. I'm not sure how universal this is but doing these things g…

I set Screen Time blockers, it is fine for a day or two, then I need to lookup something on let’s say YouTube and it is blocked, I get mad, unblock everything, and scroll for hours.

I was in the same cycle, until I had someone else add a passcode to Screen Time and now I can’t unblock myself, I have to get the other person to do it for me
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