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List of Problems I Have Developed From Computers

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Well I have been playing online computer games for 4 years now. After the 3rd year, my eyes started going wierd. I think I have lost my depth preception, I have trouble focusing on things close- then far away... And I use to freak out about it because I didn't know what was going on. Everything looks like I am looking into a picture.. Or a computer monitor.

I am sure I have developed anxiety disorders from this. There was a time where I would hyperventilate and start to panic, thinking I can't breathe. Now I learned to controll this, and relax. I still have chest pains, neck pains, back pains ect.

Aside from the anxiety the computer has caused me, I have also became very depressed. I use to be very popular throughout middle school and into freshman year highschool.. But since then things have been dramatically going downhill, socially that is. As a resault I am constantly thinking back to the good old days... Back in middle school, when I use to have girlfriends, play football, go to parties- almost as if I am having my "mid life crisis" at age 17. It's very depressing dropping so far on the social ladder, and I am just now realizing my problems... Which leads me to my next issue.

Sure it's easy to just say "stop playing computer games?" well the fact is, I have become addicted to them. Specifically, an mmorpg called world of warcraft. I have tried to quit, but I just end up playing a differant game and eventually go back to wow. I need to stop playing for the sake of my eyes.. If the computer is the cause of my eye problems.. Which yet again, leads to another issue...

I also have an abnormally "large" forehead, which makes the rest of my head look big. I start thinking of crazy things like "maybe my parents are hiding something from me, maybe I have some disease/tumor." all my life people have been nice to me, very rarely pointing out that I have a "large forehead" because I was such a cool person. I never once thought about my head being bigger then normal, because I just simpily didn't care. Now I flip out about it. I feel depressed every time I go to school, thinking people are just staring at my fat head. I wonder what people are thinking about me constantly, and i'm getting tierd of it.

I have came here for any advice people may have for me.. Or if anyone is in a similar situation. Thanks for your help.
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replied May 17th, 2006
Without a doubt they can be a cause. I started playing mmorpg (online games) seven years ago, I quickly became adicted and was playing for periods exceeding 12 hours a day. I admit I had a lot of other life stresses and a troubled childhood which certainly did not help, and I used the games both for enjoyment and as a means to escape.
My very first panic attack came whilst I was playing a game, six years ago. I still play regularly, not as much and not the same game, but I am sure that it was a big contibutor to my problems and still is, but moreso because being online now gives me free access to self diagnose my problems.
Spending too much time in one position causes muscle cramping, and as you said, hasa bad effect on your eyes after staring at the screen for too long. He games are often stressfull in their own ways and the often repetative nature seems to have subconcious effects.
Good luck, and try to take breaks and do some excercise/make sure you eat right :)
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