Internet addiction vs. perseveration

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What would be the difference between someone with an Internet addiction and an autistic person who has trouble getting offline because of perseveration? Is difficulty stepping away from the computer something that could be perseveration?

I honestly think the two are related, if not the same, but I would consider it perseveration more than addiction if there was a motivated, intense focus on a specific topic online, the person was able to step away from the computer (even if there was difficulty) but still thought and talked about the Internet a lot of the time, or was less drawn to things like videos and blogs/articles on the Internet, but rather rote facts (this last one is definitely not present in all cases when someone has a perseveration with the Internet). I might also add that somebody who is perseverating on the Internet could easily become addicted. Addictions and obsessions are virtually the same thing in my eyes though. If it interferes with daily life, then it becomes pathological.

I think for many on the spectrum internet is the way to escape overwhelming reality.

I had a problem a couple of years ago where I was obsessed with my Tumblr and I couldn't leave my computer without checking my blog and followers list three times. I would cry whenever I lost a follower or if someone I wanted to be friends with didn't follow me or respond to my messages. I've since then learned how to have a more healthy relationship with social media (including Tumblr). I think it was definitely perseveration for me, I would obsess about Tumblr anytime I was away from the computer and it affected my schoolwork. It was also a nice escape from reality and it still is for me, I like going someplace where no one tells me to stop talking about Doctor Who and where I feel like I am like other people.

addiction = a strong desire to be on the internet when you are not.

perseveration = a reluctance to leave the internet when you are.

That's my take anyway.

I would say that addiction is different because, at least to begin with, there is some amount of the stimulus that satisfies the need for a "fix", after which the addict can move on (substance addiction would be more complicated because the psychoactive effect of the substance itself may interfere with "moving on".) Of course, the frequency that an addict feels the need for a "fix", and the "dosage" needed to satisfy it tend to increase with time and exposure, maybe to the point that no amount is enough to satisfy them.

With perseveration, I think it is more like "an itch that can never be scratched"; no amount of the stimulus ever makes the person think "Great, I'm satisfied now, what's next?", even in the initial stages.

I agree with harry12345 and Trogluddite.

When I am perseverating on something, it never feels completed so I am reluctant to stop the activity once I start it, but if I do successfully stop, I never feel a desire to return to that activity.

_________________
31st of July, 2013
Diagnosed: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Auditory-Verbal Processing Speed Disorder, and Visual-Motor Processing Speed Disorder.

Weak Emerging Social Communicator (The Social Thinking-­Social Communication Profile by Michelle Garcia Winner, Pamela Crooke and Stephanie Madrigal)

"I am silently correcting your grammar."

Certainly, nowadays people spend plenty of time on the internet. Some of them earn money, but others just waste their time. Unfortunately, internet addiction is an actual problem today. Especially, for teenagers. My nephew is 16 years old, and he also was internet-addicted for some time. One day I found out about rehab clinics at https://promis.co.uk/ and I decided to share this information with his parents. For sure, they asked help from the doctors who work in these clinics. I can say that psychologists are wonderful there. My nephew became calm and spends much more time outside instead of the internet. He is so friendly and cute guy today. I sincerely hope that this addiction will come not back into his life again.

Yes, the internet has affected our world. It is great when it brings you benefits. But it sad when it becomes an addiction.