Are You a Problem Hubber?
67It's 2:18am. Do you know where your brain is?
A self-assessment guide to Hubaholism
How is HubPages like Cheers? When you become a regular, everybody knows your (user) name. Like Cheers visitors, HubPage participants experience a heady sense of camaraderie and fulfillment.
But there's no closing time for us. Luckily, the majority of those participating on HubPages can pick up or leave hubbing alone. They know when to say when and will never develop into problem hubbers or full-blown hubaholics. But for a small percentage of our community, hubbing can be addicting.
Are you Heading for Hub Trouble?
Answer these screening questions and decide for yourself if you, or someone you are a fan of, might be overdoing it.
HUBUSERS, or problem hubbers, are people who clearly hub too much on a regular basis and whose hubbing is self-destructive, non-lucrative, or presents a danger to others. Writers in this category still demonstrate the ability to set limits and establish some measure of control over their hubbing.
HUBUSE screening questions*
Would you answer "Yes" to one or more of the following during the past 12 months?
- Have you, more than once, driven a vehicle other than a computer while you were hubbing, or after recently completing a post?
- Have you gotten into situations while hubbing, or after hubbing, that increased your chances of getting hurt-like getting your hand caught in the refrigerator door, using machinery, walking in a dangerous or dark area, or near heavy traffic?
- Have you continued to hub even though you knew it was causing you trouble with your job, family or friends?
- Have you gotten into infantile comment debates or physical altercations with other hubbers or with family or friends directly related to your hubbing?
- Have you had a period when your hubbing activity itself -or being tired or distracted from over-hubbing-interfered with taking care of your home or family, or caused job or school problems?
- Have you ever gotten your hubs flagged? Have you been arrested, been held at a police station, or had legal problems because of your hubbing?
When hub abuse progresses it is called HUBAHOLISM, Hub Addiction or HubPage Dependence . In this state, the writer loses control and cannot stop hubbing despite severe physical and psychological consequences of excessive time spent writing, reading and posting comments to HubPages.
HUBAHOLIC screening questions*
Would you answer "Yes" to three or more of the following during the past 12 months?
- Have you had times when you ended up on HubPages more than you meant to, or stayed on HubPages for longer than you intended?
- Have you, more than once, wanted to, or tried to stop or cut down on your hubbing, but found you couldn't?
- Have you found that you have to hub much more than you once did to get the effect you want, or that your usual volume of hubbing has much less effect than it once did?
- When the effects of hubwriting and posting are wearing off, have you had trouble sleeping, or experienced physical withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, nervousness, nausea, restlessness, sweating or rapid heartbeat? Have you fantasized hub ratings that aren't there or had delusions of being a Best Hubber?
- Have you written other types of material to avoid experiencing unpleasant after-effects of hubbing, or to recover from a poorly trafficked or flagged hub?
- Have you continued to hub even though you knew it was making you feel depressed or anxious, causing a health problem or making one worse, or has caused writer's block or divorce?
- Have you had a period when you spent an extreme amount of time hubbing, being overly elated or depressed over your hubbing, or getting over the after-effects of hubbing?
- In order to hub, have you given up, or cut down on activities that were important to you, interesting or pleasurable?
*Adapted from: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
HUBAHOLISM - Treatment Options
Hubaholism is not yet a recognized condition like drug, gambling or sex addiction, although it is closely related to Internet addiction.
To my knowledge, there is no designated 12-step program or rehab specifically for Hubaholics. That's actually good news for us hubbers! It means we get to create our own recovery program - and it's already "anonymous" since all we know about each other is our user names and avatars.
You are all clever people, and very self-aware (as writers tend to be). If you see yourself slipping into hyper-hubbing mode, you might want to scale back or even go dark for a period (just to prove to yourself you can do it).
If you believe you've already crossed the line from hubbing for fun and profit to compulsive hubbing, I hereby invite you to share (as comment or as a separate hub) how you cope with your own dependency tendencies. Whether newcomer or expert hubber, your experience is invaluable to the rest of us -- and may even save a fellow hubber from disaster!
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Hi Lissie! We're glad you're here! Keep coming back!
Mighty Mom, Hubbing is my outlet yes I am a hubaholic but I enjoy this habit as to me it isn't dangerous or self destructive , it is as easy as Calgon "Take me Away". Great Article!!
Just be careful, AEvans! Bathtub hubbing can be quite seductive:-).
ROFLMAO! My name is Misha and I am a hubaholic, too :D And I enjoy it :P
No doubt! Hub addiction is a healthy form of self-expression -- and we're definitely in good company! Why, some of the most creative people I know are hubaholics (LOL).
I'm a borderline Hubaholic.
Due to the nature of my work, I can just "pop in" and see what's going on, or follow up on my previous conversations several times a day.
There's quite a few people here who I really enjoy communicating with, but as I discover more and more interesting people, I'd say I'm probably in mortal danger of becoming a hubaholic :-)
I'll admit to borderline . . . or border collie.
Lissie has taken the first step... And I like her a lot, since she was my first fan.
Great humor, Mighty M.
That's very brave to admit to a border collie, Rochelle! Wof woof! Eric, I've spotted a lot of borderline personalities on HubPages, too (not you, of course).
Gotta go send my comments about the Veep debate, so let me remind everyone to hub responsibly!
I guess I have to admit it. I'm a Hubaholic.
All right, all right. I answered yes to all your questions. The thing is...see...I like it too much to stop.
I'm perfectly in control of my hubbing...one hub or ten hubs...I can still walk away in a straight line. Now if I'd been asked to take a hubalizer test, I might have blown way off the meter...but the fact is I can handle a lot more hubs than most people.
Yes...I'm in denial.
Denial? What denial? I'm fine! REALLY! No problem here! The only thing I crave more than hubbing is potato chips!
blessings,
julia
julia ward - a BLINDING heart - a writer's blog - www.ablindingheart.com
Spryte, I've seen enough of your posts to know you are hard-hubbing gal who can hub one-for-one with the big boys (and girls). For now, I think you're safe, but something to keep an eye *wink* on!
Hubalizer test -- LOVE IT!!!
Ah, dear, dear Julia. it appears you suffer from dual addiction! Potato chips, you say? There is a clinical term for that. Are you ready:-) It's:Dipsomania
The term "dipsomania" was used in clinical psychiatry. It is not a psychoanalytic term but was used on occasion by Sigmund Freud and other psychoanalysts. The classic definition of "dipsomania" is that of Valentin Magnan (1893): Preceded by a vague feeling of malaise and a burning sensation in the throat, dipsomania is a sudden need to dip (especially DOUBLE dip) that is irresistible, despite a short and intense struggle. The crisis lasts from one day to two weeks and consists of a rapid and massive ingestion of chips and dip or whatever other strong, excitatory combination happens to be at hand, whether or not it is fit for consumption. It involves solitary chip/dip abuse, with loss of all other interests. These crises recur at indeterminate intervals, separated by periods when the subject is generally sober and may even manifest repugnance for potato chips and intense remorse over his or her conduct. These recurring attacks may be associated with wandering tendencies (dromomania) or suicidal impulses. Although "dipsomania" means compulsive thirst, the use of the term is reserved for the compulsive intake of onion, ranch or clam dip and potato chips (especially Ruffles cuz they have ridges).
Thank you so much. All I know is that it's not a good idea to leave me ALONE with a bag of chips. I absolutely most copy your post and put it on my blog. It's about time I got some credit for having a REAL problem. Here, all along, I thought it was just that "getting hit by the lightning thing". Hell, my dipsomania may have been what caused to me get hit by lightning in the first place.
Who knew?
blessings,
julia
julia ward - a BLINDING heart - a writer's blog - www.ablindingheart.com
Julia. By getting hit by lightning I presume you don't mean blinded by a flash of inspiration, but I'm sure when I check out your blog the connection to lightning will be clear:-). Meanwhile, please see #2 question above: Have you gotten into situations while hubbing, or after hubbing, that increased your chances of getting hurt - like getting your hand caught in the refrigerator door, using machinery, walking in a dangerous or dark area, or near heavy traffic? Getting hit by lightning certainly counts as "getting hurt." Substitute the word "chipping" for "hubbing" and there's a big old red flag. Only you can diagnose if you've got full-blown dipsomania, but take comfort knowing there are others who share your fear of being alone with a bag of chips.
Mighty Mom...Oh My GOD!...I've been hit by lighting more than once. My dipsomania is worse than I thought. And, well.......... there's the nipple thing. (Check out "Selling my body for home decor.") I think this is when you need to call your "sponsor"!
blessings,
julia
julia ward - a BLINDING heart - a writer's blog - www.ablindingheart.com
Hi my name is Dorsi and I'm definitley a hubaholic!!
Seriously, I think there are worse things I could be getting myself into...lol......
Julia, Mighty and Dorsi-- I identify with all of you much more than I care to admit, though you may notice that I hub in public less than any of you.
Closet hubbing, may be another problem -- maybe I should just let it all out, but the world may not be ready. Got to get the old blankets and mothballs out of here first.
Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope, Dorsi and Rochelle! Rochelle, please be careful of that solitary hubbing. Get yourself known by posting often (but responsibly, of course). Speaking of that, here is my current concern for myself (MM's most dangerous hubbing habit).
Question #4 states: Have you gotten into infantile comment debates or physical altercations with other hubbers or with family or friends directly related to your hubbing?
Well, yes. I have. There is one hubber who thinks I am going to sue her for not agreeing with her opinions! Obviously she is not one who "identifies with [me] more than [she] cares to admit." LOL. Glad that you do and glad we can all help each keep our hub habits healthy!
I won't say I'm a Hubaholic, but I do check in on my hubs and conversations a couple of times a day, when I'm free. Two jobs give me little down time, and since I work almost every day, social life's not much of an option anymore. I do take time off to go and hang out with my best guy friend, though. Like, tonight we went all the way to Buffalo, MN (about an hour's drive, though it took roughly an hour and a half to get there) for an acoustic concert that totally rocked. I had to call in sick to work to go, but I totally needed the break.
Hubbing, for me, is like an outlet for my creative writing style. Plus, it gives me the chance to share my knowledge of random stupid junk with anyone who might actually care about my random stupid junk. :-P I love answering requests, and since I type way too fast for my own good, writing hubs never takes up more than half an hour of my time. So I think I'm pretty well under control of my hubbing. ^_^
Great and humorous hub.
Kika Rose, as long as you are still willing to share your "random, stupid junk" with us rather than horde it for yourself, you're not in danger. Looks like you live a full (overfull) life not overly dominated by hubbing. Just know that if that changes... we're here for ya!
Sweetie Pie, thanks. I'm going to keep my eye on you, tho! The brevity of your comment indicates you might just be in denial yourself (LOL).
My name is Zsuzsy and I'm a hubaholic. I'm ashamed to admit that I'm hub dependant and I can not control my hub addiction... deep sigh
I don't bother to deny it I just accept it as a way of life...
Ciao, I gotttttta go I can hear hubs calling my name
great hub regards Zsuzsy
I'm a Hublhocic. I gotta STOP!
very good effort and nice hub
I enjoy hubpages and I am not addicted, I can stop if I must, really I can.
Welcome one, welcome all. I hope you will continue to find this a safe haven, whether you are problem hubber, hubaholic or just want to lend your experience and support to fellow hubbers.
My name is gwendymom and I am a huboholic. Thanks for opening my eyes. It's so very easy to become a hubaholic, there are so many great minds and writers all gethered in this one little corner of the web. They are almost like a family at times, giving moral support and cyber hugs. Whats not to love!!
I know it's gotta stop, but hey, why quit when I'm still enjoying it? I could go to HA and take it one day at a time, but, you know, I'm just not ready...
I'm with Bob Ewing on this one. I can quit whever I want to. No, I really can. Seriously. I'm not kidding.
Amanda, that's good news! If you're still enjoying it and have suffered no negative consequences ... YET... then by all means, keep experimenting. We'll be here when you ARE ready and will welcome you with open arms.
Hi I'm Michelle. I admit it's the first thing I do when I wake up early--I go hub hopping, hub commenting and hub snooping (seeing what's up and about!) LOL And gosh, I even go hub reporting -- telling my friends what this hubber wrote or said!
I have definitely caught the hub bug (as I used to name it a few months ago) :)
Shadesbreath says, "Seriously. I'm not kidding." Hmm. If you have to come right out and say you're not kidding... maybe you really are kidding? Or maybe you're just kidding yourself:-)?
And you've been here only 4 months!
I admit it, I'm an addict. I'm always checking the forum and hubitivity...4, 5 times a day.
hello mom
tis a joy to happen upon such a peach in the writer's nook...pylos.
Aye, laddie. Tis a great nook to be writin in!
Great Hub, I think I am now a borderline hubaholic, but never mind, I love it :)
Hi my name is Mary Antionette and I am a hubaholic. I have been a hubaholic for about three weeks. I guess it was that first hub that led me down this path. I hope someone developes a twelve step for us. Aha.. another idea for a hub. If I ever make one cent from all this hubbing I will need to check myself in. H....e......l....p.....
This is great. I'm glad I found this one. Good job, MightyMom!
Dear RJ, No one finds there way to this hub by accident. The first step is admitting you have a problem. Keep coming back. We're here for you, man. MM
I think I'm a hubaholic. I stay up way too late, stress about ratings, constantly check for comments, and constantly think of topics to hub about! Do you think we can start a class-action suit? :) Hubpages is ruining my life!
Hello Kea,
Sorry, I've been offline all weekend and missed your witty comment. A class action suit never occurred to me. My first thought was that HP doesn't have the deep pockets of say, a McDonalds. But after this hubber's challenge, I think they may be raking in beaucoup $$$.
Still, I hope you know that there are others here who have already dealt their Hub addiction and we are here to help you -- you've already taken the first step and admitted you have a problem:-).
Thanks for visiting. MM
I'm a binge hubaholic. I look perfectly normal 90% of the time, but whoa. That other 10%! Ack!
I need therapy! Help me!
reading hubaholic, yes definately, been on here on and off all day...help
Hilarious! I think I may be needing an intervention in the near future - Hubpages should issue a warning and hub addiction hot line!
I love the idea of the hub addiction hotline! Some of us have taken to contacting each other offline for support:-). Yes, HP CAN be hazardous to the rest of your life. But compared to other obsessions, it's pretty harmless! Thanks for visitng. MM
Mighty Mom - love this hub even though it's making me a bit jittery. I am looking out the window concerned that my family is spying on me, they might be checking on me to see if I am hubbing which I told them I would not be but doing something else entirely. I would like to write a longer comment but my hands are sweaty and the print seems to be jumping and wiggling around....
Hi,
you have posted great hubs on hubpages.I wannna join your fan club.It will be good for both of us to exchange our articles.
Thanks
IT PRO
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Not only am I a Hubaholic but I'm an AdSense sniffer too. As soon as I get to work I log on to AdSense and keep checking as the cents roll in. How can I quit? Is there an organisation that can help? When I reach the magic first $100 I'll stop I swear.
Rik, glad to have you as a member of HA! I know how easy it is to get intoxicated by money"-). A slow, steady flow of AdSense cents is perfectly normal. If you start to see regular upticks into the dollar+ range, tho, AND find this causes you to crave more and more ... it might be a good idea to check back for some cyberhugs and coffee.
Very good. I'm not quite there but it is addicting.
In order to become really good at hubbing I suppose I would have to become an addict - so it seems anyway. Later!
HAHAHAAAAHAAAAA, this is just what i needed to read, at 3:59 AM. I, too, am a Hub-Aholic...
Hello Cosmoca.I'd say you definitely qualify. 3:59 am. Good grief!
Thanks for visiting. Now go get a life:-) (ha ha ha). MM
MM,
i enjoyed this hub greatly very good idea and way to get alot of replies
I appreciate your honesty and respect the way you present your self though we may be at odds on many or at least some issues I look forward to your next post
TH
LOL this was a great hub. I have been using HubPages as an escape mechanism a lot lately.
Ha ha SG. Let me know when you get to the true addiction stage -- there are days when I have to force myself NOT to go into the forums:). Thx for visiting and commenting. And happy hubescaping:-)!!! MM
Lissie Level 1 Commenter 3 years ago
Hi my name is Lis and Im a hubaholic LOL