Jan 18 2009
Oh My! I’ve Developed a Case of Chronic Blogitis… Is There a Cure????
It was partly my own fault. I left myself vulnerable to contracting this illness because I was physically weak after my dental surgery. It also didn’t help that I had an entire week off of work. I’ve never been exposed to blogitis, so I had no immunity to fight it.
My symptoms came on quickly. After I got home from the dentist, I needed to sit upright and hold ice up to my face. I couldn’t sleep, so with one hand I held the ice and the other I used to browse the internet on my laptop. I started reading the blogging forums on Today.com. This started my freefall into blogitis.
As I delved into the forum topics, I learned there was so much more to blogging than I had realized. I learned about tips to increase traffic, and sites like Entrecard, Digg, and Reddit. I read about RSS feeds and FeedBurner. I learned how to properly use images in posts and how to format my site. I read introductions to new blogs, and I was impressed with the support and helpful comments that other bloggers gave them.
After a few days, the blogitis had consumed me. I was spending most of my waking hours on the laptop. I felt like I personally knew some 
of the other bloggers. I laughed with Man in the Moon and Your Dark Passenger. I cried while reading some of the posts by 30 Something and Searching. I learned about saving money with Dania at Stretch Your Dollar, and good books to read by Flitting on Fiction. I read and was touched by many more blogs too numerous to mention.
With the blogitis in full force, my behavior began to change. I started experimenting with widgets and new ways to get high traffic numbers. Even when my favorite T.V. shows were on, I was going to sites and dropping Entrecards. I became obsessed with my traffic stats, tormenting myself by checking them every 5 to 10 minutes (until I learned from the author of Convention Fans that they are only updated once an hour). Even when I was able to pry myself away from the computer, I had trouble focusing because I was continually running different story ideas through my head.
What happened? My blog began as a simple way for me to vent and get some feelings out since my Mom moved in with us. After the blogitis set in, I saw my blog as a real living creature. It was something that needed to be nourished, developed, and shared with the world!
What should I do? My husband is concerned. I’m behind on housework and the laundry is piling up. I have to go back to work tomorrow. Is the blogitis an addiction that Roxie in Recovery could help me get through? Is it a medical condition that I need to discuss with the doctor at Health by Dr. Atiff Arid? Okay, I’ll admit it. I really don’t want to be cured… But I do have to find a way to live with this condition so I can function in society. Are there other sufferers out there??? Please, tell me I’m not alone!!!
Do not worry. Many people with blogitis make a full recovery and are able to reintegrate with society relatively swiftly. It’s also a fairly common problem on the net.
Get well soon!
Awww I am sorry you never came across me on the forums I am usually on there quite a lot. I sometimes think I have the same ailment as blogistis as I am addicted to blogging myself. Anyway I hope to meet you on the forums.
My condolences. I can’t help you. That would be like a drunk trying to sober-up another drunk.
I love your humor, yet I wonder if you are “kidding on the square.” (A NYC expression for hiding a mustard seed of truth behind a mountain of humor.)
Yesterday, I researched a new addiction I want to write a blog post on: CrackBerry
“Hearing a “phantom ring” (or experiencing a phantom vibration) and constantly checking e-mail are signs of BlackBerry addiction. Experts say e-mail and text messages may feed the ego because they make people feel important. Treatment for CrackBerry or similar addictions (such as an Internet or e-mail obsession) involves, evidently, interrupting the pattern.
http://www.oddee.com/item_96496.aspx
I read a comment on a blog a couple of days ago that asked:
“If I am alone in my apartment, yet hang out and chat with someone online when I drink, is that still considered drinking alone?”
As society progresses, so does sickness, and the need for new research, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options.
Fascinating stuff.
As an aside, for your consideration:
Addiction is not about negative consequences to a behavior.
Addicts use drugs, have problems, but continue to use anyway.
In the clinical sense, true addiction is about PATTERNS of problems which interfere with major life areas.
Shew…that means I’m not a blogaholic.
Not yet anyways.
Roxie
http://recoveryrocks.today.com/
I will stand and admit I developed an addiction to blogging myself. I too learned a lot on the Today.com forums. Thanks for the link and sorry I made you cry!
~Kelly
http://www.30somethingandsearching.today.com/
I think I have the same illness. There are just not enough hours in the day for bloggers.
Oh Gee, Thanks! Blogitis is very viral and since I read you every day, you have just passed it on to me. Actually, I had a touch of it already, and it helps to know that someone has had the disease first. I never liked being different.
Oh my,,, Sherri this time you made me laugh,,,
And i thought that i was the only one going “obsessed” about bloging and terrafic. LOL,,my laundry is packing too, and the dishwasher is calling me, and my husband is waiting, and my children well they are fine LOL
I am still laughing ,, i am off to my laundry, dusting,emptying the dishwasher, and fixing dinner and spend the night with my husband.
Sherri,, from your blog, to all bloggers “Dania” is off this afternoon,calling “Mom” to duty!! i will be miising you though,,Catch you tomorrow
Now we all have it! Help! Is there a pill or something? You just gave this to me, I know it. Well here goes to starting a new support group. Today addicts.
I’ll start off.Hello my name is Robin and I am a today addict.
Who’s next?
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your concern and support! It is nice to know there are others out there… I did manage to make it out of the house to go to work today. It wasn’t easy, but was I able to successfully interact with others without using electronics or the internet. I did sneak a couple peeks at my traffic stats, but overall I was able to focus on matters at the office. As soon as I got home, I raced to turn on the computer and I’ll probably be here for a while trying to get my fix! Take care everyone, we’ll get through this together!
Yes it is addicting! You did great learning all the ins and outs of blogging. I am still learning.
You’re not the only one. I’m a part of it too. I started blogging in November and have been posting as much as I can. I don’t regret suffering from ‘blogitis’ (hehe), I’ve learned a lot over here, met new people and served my main aim of sharing health-related information.
Sometimes it’s hard for me to post everyday because of work at the hospital. But, I do make it a point to read all comments and check their blogs too. Loving it here
One word for this blog ‘Touching at its Extravaganza’…
www.popcornmasala.today.com
Yes, more blogitis sufferers!!!