Are You Addicted To Your Computer?

Call them addicts, or call them compulsive users. But whatever the label, psychologists have no doubt that growing numbers of Web surfers are developing unhealthy dependencies on Internet use.

"Whether it's a true addiction, or whether it's a symptom of other compulsive behaviors, like gambling, people are losing control," says Maressa Hecht Orzack, a Harvard University Medical School psychologist who runs a clinic that specializes in treating this problem at McLean Hospital. "It's an emerging disorder, suffered by people who find the virtual reality on computer screens more attractive than everyday reality."

Check the boxes which describe your situation, then add them up to check your danger level. And remember: these are general guidelines, not a professional diagnosis. But if your score does raise any red flags, think about seeking help---offline.