Selfie addict who spent up to 23 hours a DAY online seeks help after developing a painful disease caused by hunching over her laptop

                                               

A woman who became so obsessed with technology she took 200 selfies a day and used her phone in the shower, has warned other of the dangers after developing a rare medical condition.

Michelle Gore, from Bracknell, Berkshire, spent up to 23 hours online every day and was thrilled to receive the latest gadgets at Christmas 2014.

However after spending hours hunched over a selection of devices including a tablet, phone and laptop, the 21-year-old was diagnosed with Tietze disease in January last year.

    

Her GP said her addiction had put a strain on her rib cartilage, causing the inflammatory disorder - which is characterised by chest pain and swelling between the upper ribs. 

Now the graphic designer is warning others about the dangers of getting too hooked on technology and has made a hard-hitting video highlighting the perils with the charity Fixers.

Recovered Michelle said: 'I realised I had a problem when I woke up on Boxing Day 2014 tangled up in cables from different gadgets.

'I had the laptop wire round my leg, my headphones around my neck, my mobile under my pillow, my tablet charging on my bedside table and my Xbox and PlayStation controls at the foot of the bed. I thought, "this isn’t normal".'

'When the internet went down I suddenly found myself with so much free time, I just didn’t know what to do with myself.'

Michelle, who graduated from the University of Bath in July 2015, became so depressed she kept a diary as she grappled with her emotions.

She wrote: ‘Dear diary, the worst thing has happened, I woke up and there was no internet. I thought it was temporary but after calling my landlord, the broadband company can only check it on Monday… what am I going to do the next three days!? I guess since I have nothing to do you are stuck with me.’

On the second day, the internet disconnected again and Michelle’s distress escalated.

She writes: ‘I don’t know how long I can keep this up. I got the shakes I am sweating and unstable... and I am bored out my mind.

'I look in the mirror and I am a mess...My hair is a tangled mess... the colour from my face is gone... my once so lively eyes never looked so lifeless.... it’s like staring at a zombie version of myself.’

Reflecting on the diary posts, Michelle said: 'I just had to get back online; it was an urge I couldn’t ignore. I was worried that I was missing out and concerned that my internet friends would wonder where I was.