by Eulalia Prynn

Created on: November 13, 2009

You may be thinking, "So what?! I can stop whenever I want. I know my limits. I'm in control..." Ha ha. That is what they all say! Here are a few simple ways to tell if you may be a "Facebook addict" (dun dun dun!) Although, these are not the only ways to tell if a Facebook addiction has begun, there are a few sure fire ways to pretty confidently "diagnose" this serious, but treatable condition. Be aware, it can happen to anyone. It can sneak up on you, unawares, and take you by surprise. One minute, your just an innocent Facebook user, keeping in touch with friends and family; and the next, you're a drooling, ravenous creature who must have Facebook time, now! Don't be a victim. Know the signs, seek help when needed. This is the beginning of your healing process.

If you check your Facebook the moment you wake up, before even getting out of bed, you might be a Facebook addict. Your phone or laptop (or desk top computer) is your constant companion. The moment you open your eyes in the morning, you are on your Facebook account updating your status, "Just woke up. Going to get coffee, shower, off to work." This can be normal and not necessarily a sign of addiction until it goes a stop further. You update your status, check on friends/family, and write blogs every thirty minutes or more. This becomes so habitual that it seems strange when you go more than an hour or two without checking on your Facebook account.

If you panic when you can't find your Internet capable phone or your laptop because you're missing out on Facebook time, you might be an addict. This person has some sort of device within hands reach at all times that can access the Internet at every waking moment. If the computer crashes, the phone is misplaced, or someone is using it and prevents her from checking her Facebook, she becomes agitated, grumpy, panicky, fidgety, and distraught. Look out, because you could fall victim to her wrath! And God help you if you are the one that took the phone!

If you hide in corners and dark rooms so that you can check your Facebook because you know that someone will either poke fun at you or be annoyed, you might be a Facebook addict. Sure, it can be a bit funny to the onlooker that you have been on your phone or computer one hundred times in the last few hours, but this can become serious. The "user" becomes unable to eat or sleep without knowing what is happening on his or her Facebook account, and that of friends and family. He disappears for hours on end, only turning up for a few minutes here and there while they are waiting for Facebook notices to come up. People either joke or get frustrated about the number of times he is on his Internet capable device and the number of daily Facebook updates. This is definite sign of addiction. Seeking help before this point is reached will help tremendously. While this is the point of no return, and addiction is in full swing, there is still hope. With love and support, your loved one can still come back from this addiction and live a relatively normal life.

Will someone, please,start up a 12 Step Program for these helpless, sick individuals? Facebook addiction is a disease, and must be treated as such. It is serious, and will take lots of time and hard work to achieve recovery. Don't lose hope; there are others out there just like you. Help is on the way!

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