ADHD and Internet Browsing Habits

[digitaleye]

Are there folks who can speak about how their ADHD influences their Internet browsing habits? I'm interested especially in hearing from folks who've found that their browsing habits significantly interfere in getting their daily tasks accomplished.

When I say browsing habits, I'm not concerned about the contents and the effect of those contents on your well-being (e.g. porn). I'm just curious to see if anyone else out finds Internet a major distraction. Given that we ADHDers are constantly wanting stimulation and Internet being full of such avenues for stimulation, I wonder if having constant Internet access is a good thing for us ADHDers, especially when we are at work.

One of the main reasons why I sought psychiatric help (which, ultimately led to a ADHD diagnosis) was because I had trouble getting things done on time at work and was feeling too overwhelmed and ultimately became depressed. During this phase, I found myself browsing the Internet compulsively at work; I didn't browse things I wasn't supposed to be browsing at work, but I would spend way more time on the Internet than what was necessary. Anytime I had to accomplish an unpleasant or arduous task, my first instinct was to visit a favorite website of mine just as a way to de-stress myself. So, once I started browsing, I would loose track of time and then when I eventually catch myself spending too much time, I would immediately feel very guilty. Once I'm feeling guilty, it would take a little for me to settle down before I can start work again (more time lost). To make up for the lost time, I would try to work during the evenings or weekends (was easy when I was single). As you can imagine, this was causing a lot of stress, and not to mention my productivity levels were unacceptable (primarily to myself and to a lesser extent to my employer).

Initially I didn't know enough about my behavior to see a pattern, but after a few years after school spending every day at work sitting in front of a computer with round-the-clock Internet access, I can clearly notice how my work time is wasted due to Internet browsing and how as a consequence of this I have diminished standard of life. The major problem here is that I can't avoid the Internet, I need it as reference tool, I need it for work emails, and I also need it for various work related sundries. So, this is a classic catch22 situation and I'm feeling entrapped.

Anyone else dealing or dealt with this scenario? It would be of great help to me and to others like me, if you can share your experiences and strategies that you used to overcome this problem.

[ADHSki]

No question, I have to deal with this, too. Things were way worse before I was diagnosed and medicated, but I still have bad days. I find when a task isn't going particularly well or is ambiguous, it's way easier to hop on my favorite sites.

1. If I'm under some deadlines, I have to work very hard to force myself not to spend any time on the 'net.
2. That's tough, so I make a list of "to do's" every AM, then hourly I make a micro list with the top three items and a time limit. I find the estimated time limit helps me realize that "call morty" has a ten minute window, and if I hop on Facebook, I'll blow that entire task out of the water.
3. If you get productive on a long project (maybe you alloted 60 minutes) but you've gone over, let it ride provided there isn't a good reason not too. Momentum is critical, don't break it unless there's a good reason.
4. Reward yourself. If you pulled off an hour of hard work and can cross most/all off your micro list, make a new list, and allot ten minutes for food/drink/break. Get online and goof off if you like, but time yourself and stop at the ten minute window.

Let me know if this helps. It's not easy, and some days, nothing will pry me loose from my forums, sites, even Wikipedia. I can get lost for hours reading Wikipedia. How come I can't get lost for an hour or two writing a darn memo?

[tudorose]

I work for the government. The internet is monitered. If you spend too much time it triggers an alert and you get a 'please explain'. Now that I've changed jobs I don't even have time to check the weather.

[fatality]

Yes, sadly I'll admit that I am a internet addict. I never really understood why, it really started when I stopped taking my medication back in middle school. I was on the computer from 15 minutes a day to 3 hours to 6 to 12 to 15...

Since I've been back on the medication, I've found a less compulsive desire to browse / use the internet. It's actually become some-what boring, my video games of choice: "Modern Warfare 2, Battlefield 2, Company of Heroes" have become dull and boring... I'm outside working more of the time than I am on the computer anymore.

I had a huge problem with staying up late on the internet with compulsive google searches - while this did expand my knowledge of subjects and add to conversation, it wasn't healthy for me. The only way I could fall asleep was by the internet or loud music till 2 am - sometimes 4am...

I take half a tablet of 5mg Adderall 45 minutes before bed. It stimulates me enough to fall asleep. I started the whole medicine before bed thing when I found out I could fall asleep 3 hours into my Adderall XR. My doctor recommended that I try taking the IR before bed, I was weary in doing so, but am glad I made the choice.

It could be that your medication needs to be raised slightly - or you need to incorporate a computer timer - or schedule something in your day that you don't have time to use it.

just some thoughts.

[Padme]

Yep, I have to be really careful. A quick minute to google something can lead to much procrastination.

Unfortunately, a lot of my work gets done on a computer--class and counseling notes, emails, newsletter articles, handouts for my class, minutes and meeting notes, etc. I felt guilty today because I stayed on the computer for hours. Then I realized I was doing real work the entire time. Not something I am used to!

The adderall has helped some but I find if I ever get off on one of those tangents where you research something fascinating but totally useless, my hyperfocus is even more focused when I'm medicated.

[buggie]

Originally Posted by digitaleye

Are there folks who can speak about how their ADHD influences their Internet browsing habits? I'm interested especially in hearing from folks who've found that their browsing habits significantly interfere in getting their daily tasks accomplished.

When I say browsing habits, I'm not concerned about the contents and the effect of those contents on your well-being (e.g. porn). I'm just curious to see if anyone else out finds Internet a major distraction. Given that we ADHDers are constantly wanting stimulation and Internet being full of such avenues for stimulation, I wonder if having constant Internet access is a good thing for us ADHDers, especially when we are at work.

One of the main reasons why I sought psychiatric help (which, ultimately led to a ADHD diagnosis) was because I had trouble getting things done on time at work and was feeling too overwhelmed and ultimately became depressed. During this phase, I found myself browsing the Internet compulsively at work; I didn't browse things I wasn't supposed to be browsing at work, but I would spend way more time on the Internet than what was necessary. Anytime I had to accomplish an unpleasant or arduous task, my first instinct was to visit a favorite website of mine just as a way to de-stress myself. So, once I started browsing, I would loose track of time and then when I eventually catch myself spending too much time, I would immediately feel very guilty. Once I'm feeling guilty, it would take a little for me to settle down before I can start work again (more time lost). To make up for the lost time, I would try to work during the evenings or weekends (was easy when I was single). As you can imagine, this was causing a lot of stress, and not to mention my productivity levels were unacceptable (primarily to myself and to a lesser extent to my employer).

Initially I didn't know enough about my behavior to see a pattern, but after a few years after school spending every day at work sitting in front of a computer with round-the-clock Internet access, I can clearly notice how my work time is wasted due to Internet browsing and how as a consequence of this I have diminished standard of life. The major problem here is that I can't avoid the Internet, I need it as reference tool, I need it for work emails, and I also need it for various work related sundries. So, this is a classic catch22 situation and I'm feeling entrapped.

Anyone else dealing or dealt with this scenario? It would be of great help to me and to others like me, if you can share your experiences and strategies that you used to overcome this problem.

I can absolutely relate to your problem. I would say that I too compulsively check favorite sites to avoid stress. I also sometimes see it as a "warm up" for my brain as I often comment on blogs and stuff and I feel sometimes I can't start thinking about complicated work things until I get things flowing.

But yes, I lose track of time, and once I start looking at things I enjoy, it's really hard to switch gears. And then, of course, it just ends up stressing you out more.

Sometimes it can be a good thing, as I said it warms up my mind, and sometimes just quickly checking facebook for 5 minutes or something is a really good break for my thoughts and is all I need.

I also don't know if it would be that much different without the internet. When I was in college in the late 90s I had a summer job just doing admin work. Since it was a financial institution and were concerned with security, they didn't yet have internet access in the office. I remember there were days when I would just completely zone out for hours day dreaming or whatever. It may have looked better to the casual observer, but it wasn't anymore productive. I'm not sure which is worse. Maybe the internet is worse because it's more addictive. But on the other hand if you're having a major anti-focus day anyway, at least the internet keeps you from getting bored in the process. I dunno.

[buggie]

Originally Posted by Padme

The adderall has helped some but I find if I ever get off on one of those tangents where you research something fascinating but totally useless, my hyperfocus is even more focused when I'm medicated.

yup, exactly.

[namazu]

I could say more about this -- a whole lot more -- but for now let me suggest that some of you might find the book Cyber Junkie by Kevin Roberts interesting. He's a guy with ADHD and an internet addiction problem who seems to have learned to manage the 'net addiction, and also coaches people with ADHD.

[StoicNate]

I'm a self-professed Internet Addict. I love the wealth of information on it.
I can be on the internet for a really long time.

[Il-Miġnun]

I too love the net. It is makes for a lovely escape from the dull reality and environment I am imprisoned in. I can read about what's happening in hot spots, follow events, read people's views on certain subjects, engage in debates (or heated arguments at times) and get my daily lols. When I'm engaged in something interesting in the real world, the hours I spend diminish.

[wadergirl]

OHh god, me too. I leave a browser window open in the background behind my normal work window, and I'm constantly switching back and forth about every 5 minutes and trying not to let my boss catch me. They actually had to move my desk to one of the desks where he could keep a closer eye on me because it was becoming such a problem. And even when work started blocking most of the websites, I have my Android phone for anything I cant get on the desktop.

[K-Funk]

Man, I'm such a hard core internet addict I mean I will just go, go, go from article to article all day long. I use the computer as my primary work tool and the internet is part of that work and it really is nearly impossible for me to stay on task when something "fun" is just a click away.

Recently I've begun to wonder how much of my problems at work are ADHD and how much are b/c of "internet addiction" or if they're one and the same (stimulation)?

[K-Funk]

lol, this is 100% me!!!!!!!!!!

I've never been caught though

Originally Posted by wadergirl;1063260[B

]OHh god, me too. I leave a browser window open in the background behind my normal work window, and I'm constantly switching back and forth about every 5 minutes and trying not to let my boss catch me.[/b] They actually had to move my desk to one of the desks where he could keep a closer eye on me because it was becoming such a problem. And even when work started blocking most of the websites, I have my Android phone for anything I cant get on the desktop.

[RigelOrion]

Coincidentally I found this thread while burning way to much time online at work. It's way to easy for me to get constantly distracted online. I was hoping that medication would help me overcome my internet abuse (my word), but alas now I just focus harder on particular sites.

Best thing to do is set up your schedule of work items ahead of time, and don't open email or your browser for the first two hours of work. That way you tend to get into your tasks faster. Social networking sites can be murder - so even if your browser is open, close your Twitter and Facebook pages. Instant messaging too - way too easily to be distracted by these.

Unfortunately this requires more strength of will, and daily discipline. It's an uphill battle, but there are a lot of little things you can do you keep on track.