Gadget mania may require psychotherapy

Shortly after a UK study concluded that consumer electronics like mobile phones and digital devices are addictive, James of jkOnTheRun confessed that he's a gadgetaholic. I suffer from an untreatable case of technophilia as well and keep a running list of my own gadget collection, so I certainly understand the joy of unboxing a brand new shiny-something.

Since previous research has also found gadgets to be addictive (this isn't a new claim, after all), I went back a few years and unearthed an alarming article from 2004 bearing the sub-headline "The uncontrollable desire to buy all new appliances without any reasons is the most explicit symptom of this sickness." Because my own gadget-buying behaviors are ruled by instant gratification and usually more about want than need, I read on with interest:

Gadget-addicted people have a bouquet of psychological symptoms, such as: euphoria and ecstasy from buying a new gadget, inability to stay away from appliances for long, the feeling of emptiness and depression that develops when a person does not purchase gadgets on a regular basis, disregard for family members and friends. Gadget mania can be harmful to health too: addicts suffer from dryness in the eyes, headaches and sleeping disorder.

I don't disregard my family and friends in favor of gadgets or have headaches, but I must admit that the rest of the description actually suits me pretty well!

The article concludes that psychotherapy may be the required to rid the severely addicted of their mania and offers suggestions from unnamed specialists:

• Reduce the number of visits to electronics stores
• Buy new things at least once every three months
• Communicate with people as much as possible

Is it  just denial or the fact that Pravda Online (no affiliation with the Communist Party newspaper) is somewhat sensationalist that I've never viewed my tech addiction as a real problem? How is my gadget collection any different from a lot of women's shoe closets?

Thoughts or information on the nearest GA (Gadgetaholics Anonymous) meeting below please. And will I see you there?

Comments

[Susan aka gasusan2005]

Jenn, I guess I need to go too ...lol

[Jenn]

Looking forward to meeting you, Susan! ;-)

[Bruno]

I am in... can I bring my gadgets with me?

[Lucas]

If Pocketables wasn't your full time job (it is, right?), then maybe it would be a problem. But your job is about new gadgets and reviewing them so I don't think the way you buy so much is anything to worry about. Your still eating, right? LOL!

[Franklin]

One of the salient symptoms of addiction is dishonesty. A real addict lies to conceal his addiction and steals to feed it. He is deeply anti-social inside his web of lies, totally self-absorbed and consumed either with fear or with resentment or with a nasty blend of the two. If we're addicted, we're strangely open about it, and if we're using our gadgets as conversation pieces and enjoying one another's company, insights and humor, we must be a whole new breed of addict. Now, can I please upgrade my cell phone again, and when oh when will HP upgrade the Jornada 720 with WM6, a 7-inch AMOLED display, WiFi and Bluetooth?

Thanks for article; I enjoyed the change of pace.

[Utew]

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Please sign up now, as there are only 189,445,239,000 consultations available!

The Jenn K. Lee International Counseling Center for Wayward Souls.

=)

[turn_self_off]

meh, lets call it shopping addiction in general...

as in, how different is this from someone having to buy new clothes and similar all the time, even if the old ones have been worn maybe ones?

[fab]

i have a notebook, a mobile phone and a digital camera. so i wouldn't fit into the addiction theory, but computer and gadgets fill my live nearly 16 hours (the other 8 hours are here to sleep). So i could be an addicted...but are you addicted if you own a certain amount of gadgets or is it just the behaviour that shows you could be addicted?

Jenn, I've SEEN your list...somehow i can figure out why you wrote the article...:-)

[Kent Multer]

How exactly does one distinguish between an addiction and a habit/hobby? Some people are extremely focused or dedicated to things ... I heard that Edison had to try 1,000 times before he found a type of light-bulb filament that would work. I bet if he did that today, by the 700th attempt or so, someone would be telling him, "Tom, don't you realize that your addiction to this silly light-bulb idea is taking away valuable time from your family and career!?"

I'd say that, to qualify as an addiction, the activity has to have some actual harmful affect on your life, like if you're behind on your mortgage because you spend too much on gadgets, or you're ignoring family obligations to play with them. Some other warning signs would be "semi-harmful" behavior such as: buying items and then tossing them in the closet, never using or reviewing them; wanting to quit and being unable; or, possibly, spending too much time trying to decide whether it's an addiction or not ...

[Kakyou]

Hey, sign me up! I've tried to get my company to cover something like this under our health plan, bu the HR manager just gave me a dirty look.

Next time you have a meeting, just give me an ip address to hit and I'll telepresence in via my cellphone...

shoot. I am soo screwed...