Addicted to Facebook?

[Saffmonster]

We all know one: the Facebook friend who can't go for more than a few minutes without telling the world (or, at least, their long-suffering circle of friends) exactly what's happening in their life. Whether they're detailing the minutiae of their day, showing off about how 'down with it' they are by going on about some random band, or spamming the world with mundane pictures of their latest night out, they're the people with the least to say who spend the most time saying it.

It's an affliction like any other, this kind of Facebook addiction, and if you're concerned that you (or someone you know) may be falling prey to it, then read on.

Here, is listed 12 of the most common signs of FB addiction. If you tick the boxes on one or two of these, you're probably just as addicted to Facebook as the next person. If you find you're nodding along to most of the list, perhaps it's time to take a step away from the monitor...

You've ever written 'First!'

We're not sure where the idea came from that you got special kudos for commenting on something first, but just for the record - you don't. In fact, doing it repeatedly is more likely to get you booted off your friends' lists quicker than you can say, well, 'first'.

You've created a separate account for your baby/cat/favourite plant

Let's break this down - if you create an account for someone, or something, that can't actually use it, you're going to be the one updating it.

It'll start innocently enough. A couple of status updates here and there 'in character'. Maybe a few wall posts. But then before you know it, you'll be having full blown conversations with yourself between your real and fake profiles. That's the first sign of madness these days, don't you know?

You haven't seen your husband/wife/significant other recently

See that person you're listed as in a relationship with on Facebook? Well they also exist away from the computer too, remember?

Facebook was recently found to be a factor in one in five divorces, and we're sure the figures are even higher for relationship break-ups. If you've not seen your other half in a while, you might want to make sure they aren't filing the divorce papers and packing their bags while you're busy updating your status.

You take pictures of yourself

Are you guilty of posing in front of your webcam? Or have ever taken a photo of yourself in the mirror just to use as your profile picture? This is a sign of S.V.B - seriously vain behaviour, a condition contracted from extended use of Facebook.

We'd say the best course of treatment is to go out with your mates, take your camera and enjoy flicking through the photos afterwards. We'd wager there'll be plenty of cracking snaps to use as your profile picture, and no doubt great memories captured at the same time.

You check Facebook from your phone on holiday

The sun is shining, you're on an exotic beach somewhere and you've forked out your hard-earned cash to get away from it all. Why then, pray tell, would you be checking Facebook from your phone?

This is addiction at its most devastating - not only will you miss out on chunks of your holiday with your face in your phone, but when the roaming charges land on your next bill, you'll need to take out a loan to pay them off.

You speak to your best friend more often on Facebook than in real life.

Previously you'd pick up your phone if you wanted to tell your friends something, or maybe drop them a text message to meet for a chat. If you've found you're now talking to them more on Facebook than in real life, do your friendship a favour, close down the chat box and grab a coffee together.

You'd forget your friends' birthdays if it wasn't for Facebook reminders

Remember before the days of Facebook, when you wrote birthdays, important dates and events in a calendar or diary? If Facebook now runs your social life, telling you when to say 'happy birthday' and when you're going where, you could run into a pickle when you can't access it for some reason.

We're not sure how popular you'll be when you forget your mum's birthday because Facebook goes down for maintenance.

Your mood depends on how many 'friends' you've added to your account

Let's get one thing straight - the number of Facebook friends you have is not directly proportionate to your popularity in the real world. In fact there's plenty of evidence to suggest it may well be the opposite.

If you're finding yourself getting upset that you haven't had a friend request in a few hours, or that your next door neighbour has more Facebook friends than you, it's probably time to move away from the keyboard and get some face-to-face time with your real-life friends.

You've taken out a loan to cover your Farmville/Fish World/Mafia habit

If you've been hooked in to playing one of these Facebook games, not only will you have no doubt flooded your friends' feeds with news that you just bought a new fish/sheep/gun, but you've probably spent a fair bit of dough on it in the process.

If your bank balance is starting to see the effects of your addiction, you might want to think about reining it in a bit, and spending your cash on something away from your computer, in the real world.

You've ever updated your status while sat on the loo

There are some things that can just wait, and one of those is status updating. If you've ever found yourself coming up with something you just have to share with the world while sitting on the loo, put the phone down and wait until you're back at your computer.

Of course, if you've taken your computer with you, well then that's a whole different level of addiction you need to address...

You've started oversharing

Hey, depressed guy! Facebook isn't your agony aunt, ok? You shouldn't be broadcasting how horrible your break-up was or how much you still love your ex on your profile. Nobody really wants to read it. And we'd bet that includes your ex too.

Of course there is the other end of the scale - are you one of those couples who feel the need to express their love for each other at every possible opportunity? It might have been cute the first five times you did it, now it's just annoying.

When you're out, you're wondering what's happening on Facebook

It should go without saying - when you're with your friends, your mind should not be on Facebook. So if you're finding yourself getting a nervous tic when you've been away from Facebook for more than a few hours, it's definitely time for a break.

You can rest in the knowledge that all the news, comments and photos will be there when you get home, and you'll have plenty of material from the time with your mates to update your status with.

[Sarah]

this is one for Nix

[Lil Miss Bump]

lmao i feel like this about husky owners!!!!!!

[HuskyCouture]

my life

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

this is one for Nix

OI!! ive only done 2 ov those

You've created a separate account for your baby/cat/favourite plant - my dogs lol

You take pictures of yourself - only 2 show off my 2 tone hair! lol

[lauraxxx29]

I feel good know did not tick none of the above..yayeeee me not addicted..............lol

[Boshka]

Me neither Laura

[lokis_mom]

hahah hi my name is lena and im a facebook addict LOL

[Andy]

Yep, although I have a facebook account I hardly ever look at it.

This post just reinforces why. . . .

I've got better things to do. . . .like

[lokis_mom]

I just get very bored when there is nothing to do so whats left but go on facebook...

[Huskycat]

What did I do before Facebook?? Oh maybe I had a 'real' life lol - I am certainly glad I am a Facebook addict cos its where I met Nix and became a member of Husky Owners Forum