http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=264006

An earlier conversation in the CB, left me with a serious question, Am I addicted to The Chatterbox. After relizing I was I set out to create CBA (Chatter Boxes Anonymous). Membership already includes me, Theo, and dhoss. All other CBAs answer now, and get help for your affliction.

"Pain is weakness leaving the body, I find myself in pain everyday" -me

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by atcroft (Abbot) on Jun 07, 2003 at 22:57 UTC

    In order to determine if you are addicted to the CB, you must first determine the criteria for such an addiction. While I am sure I have not seen "ChatterBox (CB) Addiction" in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), I think criteria could be determined by examining the criteria for other impulse-control and substance abuse disorders (such as pathological gambling, or several of the substance disorders). An example of some of the criteria (based on the above) might be:

    • Persistant recurrant and maladaptive ChatterBox (hereafter referred to as "CB") behavior, characterized by several of the following:
      • is preoccupied with the CB (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past CB experiences, or planning the next venture into the CB, or thinking of ways to use the CB from other media)
      • needs to use the CB in increasing amounts in order to achieve the desired excitement
      • has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop using the CB
      • is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop using the CB
      • uses the CB as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)
      • lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the CB
      • has committed illegal acts in order to access, or during the use of, the CB
      • has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of CB use
      • relies on others to provide help to relieve a desperate chronological situation caused by CB use
    • Behavior not better accounted for by another disorder.

    While I would suggest professional help in the diagnosis and treatment planning should such a condition be suspected, I think a support group for such a thing (much as AA or GA) might be a good thing, as long as it does not become an excuse to feed the cycle with more use by scheduling the meetings thru or in the CB...

    I applaud you in recognizing and seeking help for your problem, and in trying to help others who may also be affected by it.

    Update: Fixed typos.

    Update: Fixed typos. (Thanks for letting me know, allolex.)

      That's a relief, I'm not addicted then..

      I just live there :)

      C.

      You know you're addicted to the ChatterBox when...

      you begin writing fanfic about your fellow denizens...

      Not that I have ever done that...

      planetscape does her best to radiate innocence...

      then smacks her halo a few times, muttering "damn lightbulbs..."

      planetscape
      ++atcroft, and I wish I could vote twice. :)
      -Tats

      /me is glad he has yet to post like this, though he occasionally uses it in conversation

      "Pain is weakness leaving the body, I find myself in pain everyday" -me

Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by theorbtwo (Prior) on Jun 07, 2003 at 21:46 UTC

    No way, man. The Chatterbox is like, the best thing that every happened to me, man. I've got, like, all these friends now, man... like, and, man, it's so totaly not addictive, man. All the cool dudes are doing it, man. And, man, so long as I use this incense, man, the squares can't even smell it, man.


    Warning: Unless otherwise stated, code is untested. Do not use without understanding. Code is posted in the hopes it is useful, but without warranty. All copyrights are relinquished into the public domain unless otherwise stated. I am not an angel. I am capable of error, and err on a fairly regular basis. If I made a mistake, please let me know (such as by replying to this node).

Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by phydeauxarff (Priest) on Jun 07, 2003 at 21:42 UTC
    no way man...I can quit anytime I want...;-)

    Of course the truly addicted are already listed here

    I suspect anyone in the top 25 probably needs help or a life...me included.

      #18: I knew about that page but had successfully "forgotten" it. Now I'm depressed, but at least I have my friends in the magic box. ;)

      --
      Allolex

Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by kutsu (Priest) on Jun 07, 2003 at 22:14 UTC

    I would like to inform people that much of the conversation on this node is happening/happened/or will happen in the CB, may not be best way to kick the habit though.

    "Pain is weakness leaving the body, I find myself in pain everyday" -me

Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by mrpilot (Curate) on Jun 07, 2003 at 22:13 UTC
    Can't say that I am. If I ever have an informal question or comment that isn't "important" enough to require a node, I just go to the IRC channel. But if you asked me if I was addicted to IRC, I would most definately answer yes. :-)
Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by Anonymous Monk on Jun 07, 2003 at 22:09 UTC
    Addiction: some informed people say there is no such thing. They say the term is used to excuse aberrant behavior.

    In this case there may be no excuse anyway.

    -ted-

      The "Anonymous Monk" reply above should have been by Theo.

        The "Theo" reply above should have been by Anonymous Monk.

        Sorry, couldn't resist 8^D

Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by Anonymous Monk on Jun 08, 2003 at 17:00 UTC

    Two signs that consititute positive confirmation of borderline CB addiction.

    Looking in the mirror in the morning and conducting conversations with your other self in the third person.

    Stepping from the shower and writing todo lists for the day on the steamy mirror in the form of

    .o0( bubble lists eminating from your head )
    .

    Posted anonymously to protect the afflicted.

Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by Limbic~Region (Chancellor) on Mar 22, 2006 at 20:07 UTC
    kutsu,
    My predilection for the CB is just a symptom of an underlying addiction. I have an unhealthy dependency on the Monastery in general. I take refuge in the fact that you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. I will not fight my desire to be here - resistence is futile.

    Cheers - L~R

    You know you are really addicted when you decide to write a CB client for fun.

Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by planetscape (Chancellor) on Jul 02, 2005 at 18:15 UTC

    Dude... the colors...

    planetscape
Re: Are you addicted to Chatterbox?
by shmem (Chancellor) on Feb 20, 2007 at 14:48 UTC

    May I cite Harry Rowohlt?

    Interviewer: Mr. Rowohlt, you are known to drink heavily. Are you an alcoholic?
    Rowohlt: No, Im a drinker.
    I: What's the difference?
    R: An alcoholic is ill. I'm not.

    as long as I feel sane...

    --shmem

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