I never was for the longest time I was never bothered but it just started happening a year ago... Technology has really started to give me some serious panic attacks and the like.... I've been trying to be careful online as best I can but still I keep thinking about things and it makes me panic, makes my gut churn and makes me paranoid.

If it wasn't for my best friends and my good friends here on Subeta and the fact I need something to do to pass the time.... I'd just stick to reading and writing... But still I wish technology wasn't such an ulcer making ordeal. Again it only started happening about a year ago and ever since I've just been careful and... again very paranoid.

Am I the only one who likes being online but also is damn well fearful of it as well in some way?

, , , , Sorry I need some comfort.... I swear technology is going to end me....

I'm the same way. I've decided to just do my best to only look at happier or more neutral things. I feel bad because I do need to stay informed but I've also been extremely stressed out about things in the news that I can't do anything about. I've got other things that I can do something about that I need to worry about.

I'm also careful of where I post online since so many places are flooded with trolls and community manipulators. If you say something they disagree with you get vicious PMs. I've deleted so many reddit accounts because I've lost my temper at seeing misogyny, transphobia, homophobia, racism, etc. being plastered all over reddit and gotten into arguments with scumbags. I know I shouldn't respond to them but sometimes I just lose my temper and finally say something to one of them.

The internet is just a horrible place to be compared to how it was when I was a kid, imo. :( I know a ton of bad stuff happened online even then but it also felt like people were friendlier and more welcoming. When new people joined a community they were welcomed sincerely and they quickly became members of that community. Now, it feels like some communities form slowly as people are suspicious of each other and then eventually they become an echo chamber and very exclusive. New members are "welcomed" but they're made to feel as if they're not really a part of the community yet until they prove themselves. It's weird and very combative.

I remember when a gal I met on myspace said her mom was sending her to therapy for internet addiction. Feels unreal in a day and age where people give their young children iPads and let them parent themselves.

@ Virus You're not the only one feeling like that. I can easily go into a paranoid state XDD and it doesn't even have to do with technology, but everyday items, such as being watched through the only hanged mirror in the house -the one in the bathroom [this one is the strongest i have]-

sometimes i'm scared people will be able to find me thanks to the online presence i have, though i use my real name in just 3 places and i'm not very active there to begin with. [and what happens if they find me? bully me for some reason u.u]

I hope you'll be able to deal with your inner demons and that they won't win. do know you're not alone nor weird for feeling the way you do. best wishes! [edit] You got a forum point while making a post! Check out the shop here! yay! my 2nd point today! <3

: Oh, it's definitely not just you, Amei; internet anxiety is a real thing, and I know psychology is looking to make a cadre of technology related...maladies (for lack of a better term) "real", as in get them listed in the next DSM. I know smartphone addiction and compulsive texting are things they offer therapy for. Kind of strange to think about, isn't it?

Isn't there actually a name put to this that's only just really been discovered? But yes, big mood. I had to distance myself from a favorite game because the community is one of the most toxic places to be in.

All I know is that as I get older, the pace of technological change seems to be speeding up. I am to the point of no longer buying music or movies until they promise me that the latest platform is the last thing they're going to invent. I'm tired of having the same titles on multiple platforms.

I know that is trivial, but my point is that I have started to simply opt out of things in life that cause me stress. Some things are unavoidable -- but some are an easy fix. I don't mean to belittle your situation -- I think it is very real and very serious. I mean to say that it helps to de-clutter, de-stress -- wherever you can. Little things add up, so even small annoyances can pile up until they overwhelm you. It will also give you a measure of control. When you make deliberate decisions about your environment, you are exercising control. I am hoping this empowerment will help you to stave off the anxiety onslaught that modern society has become.

We all have our demons to battle, no one is immune. My trials in life may not look like yours, but I can relate to being at the end of your rope and trying to find a way to hang on. I am glad that you reached out to your friends online rather than internalizing your struggle and giving in to the negative self-talk that plagues so many of us. This is a creative, brave, and positive way to tackle a problem. Kudos to you for a life-affirming approach rather than falling into a downward spiral of destructive behavior that is all too common.

Remember that you are loved, you have worth as a person, and you are allowed to be human. No one is perfect -- not even me. I take you as you are and I cherish our friendship. I'm here for you, Kiddo. HUGS

I think I'm somewhere in between. I've been using more heavily since about the end of 2015. Before that I was almost completely absent. It goes for all kinds, I watch about an hour of TV on any particular day. That includes gaming and movies. What I am I an audiophile, to drown out the junky music that everyone but me likes.

Only because of my situation do I recur to online activities, that is limited to this and occasional shopping.

Thank you all so much for your responses. It means a lot to me to know I am not alone.

I really wish things didn't have to be this way... I am tired of getting panic attacks over the smallest things when it comes to the internet and technology. But things are always changing and I will have to adapt... and just be careful with what I do online.

The times we live in can add stress indeed. Stress triggers or worsens anything else we have go in on. I can say at times taking a break from news networks, sites with high drama, and social medias can help relax this feeling. I cut al but sites like this out when I feel there's too much going on in a screen world so to speak. Sites like this is easy to control where we go and play alone or with others. News and other media style sites kinda throws everything in your face with click here and read this now urgency feelings they try to incite.

Taking breaks to do offline things usually is a good idea.