A short study about internet addiction.
Addictive use of the Internet is a new phenomenon which many practitioners are unaware of and subsequently unprepared to treat. Some therapists are unfamiliar with the Internet, making its seduction difficult to understand. The physical risk factors involved with an addiction to the Internet are comparatively minimal yet notable. While time is not a direct function in defining Internet addiction, generally addicted users are likely to use the Internet anywhere from forty to eighty hours per week [3].
The Internet provides a constant, ever-changing source of information and entertainment, and can be accessed from most smart phones as well as tablets, laptops, and computers. Email, blogs, social networks, and message boards allow for both public and anonymous communication about any topic. But how much is too much Internet usage?
Each person’s Internet use is different. You might need to use the Internet extensively for your work, for example, or you might rely heavily on social networking sites to keep in touch with faraway family and friends. Spending a lot of time online only becomes a problem when it absorbs too much of your time, causing you to neglect your relationships, your work, school, or other important things in your life. If you keep repeating compulsive Internet behavior despite the negative consequences in your offline life, then it’s time to strike a new balance.
There is debate over whether to include "Internet Addiction" as a diagnosis in DSM-V [1].Some argue that Internet addiction disorder exists and should be included, and some that it is neither an addiction nor a specific disorder and should not be included in DSM-V [2]. Why an official diagnosis matter? First aspect would be a legal one, as a clear diagnosis for a mental disorder can determine eligibility for health insurance, disability status, legal arguments and stigmatization.
Dr. Kimberly Young [3] has likened Internet addiction to addictive syndromes similar to impulse- control disorders on the Axis I Scale of the DSM. She developed the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ) to diagnose the disorder.
Also Dr. David Greenfield also is an advocate for internet addiction. He calls it an addiction like any other, claiming that for internet addicts, using the internet raises dopamine levels in the brain, producing a feeling of elation [4]. He also runs a website that deals with internet addiction. While researching this topic, I found that Young and Greenfield are the most frequently cited and referenced sources for information and statistics about internet addiction. They each have built businesses out of researching and treating internet addiction. However, not everyone is so sure about the legitimacy of internet addiction.
As Defined, Internet addiction is excessive, non-essential use of the internet that causes psychological, lead to impairment or distress (social or physical problems for the user) [5].
How to avoid excessive use of internet “Internet addiction” as called? Answer would be shortly (Socializing) from my personal experience as a computer engineer and being married, giving much attention to work and internet researching of new technologies to catch up with fast running field development, in addition to what so called “virtual social life” by communicating with friends and family on social sites, reading other posts, checking the news, the results come to be online using the internet more than the time I spend with my family.
Who is affected? (examples)
- Teen age who are avoiding direct contact with others (social problem, unstable family, severe acne, etc.)
- A bored spouse who is seeking some cyber-sex for entertainment, or looking for someone to talk to.
- Gamers, who prefer to live in the game fantasy words.
Who is at risk?
- People with pre-existing disorders that may be fueled by the internet (compulsive gambling, sexual addiction, pedophilia, etc)
- New users: Grohol[8] proposes a model in which new users become obsessed, then disillusioned, then eventually find balance in their internet use. Internet addicts never move beyond the initial obsession phase, or remain there for a long time.
Am I an addict?!
How can you tell if you are addicted to the internet? There are several tests available online. [6]
However, there are some common symptoms which might clue if a person is an internet addict such as:
- Preoccupation with the Internet
- Loss of control
- Inexplicable sadness or moodiness when not online
- Distraction (Using the Internet as an anti-depressant)
- Dishonesty in regard to Internet use
- Loss of boundaries or inhibitions
- Creation of virtual intimate relationships with other Internet users -Loss of a significant relationship due to Internet use
The attitude of internet addiction advocates seems to be that if you think you are addicted to the internet, you probably are. I find it more accurate to say, if you think you are addicted to the internet, you probably need to take a look at other symptoms and see if your internet use is causing your problems, or if you are using the internet too much because of other issues.
Online treatment!
While the online internet addiction treatment or online addiction support groups sounds counter- intuitive and ironic but it exist and has its fans. [7]
It seems evident that some people do have problems with their internet usage. What is not clear is if their internet use alone is a problem, or if it is combining with already existing problems. Is
treating internet addiction simply treating a symptom of something larger? If internet addiction becomes an official disorder, will people receive treatment that does not address their overall problems? Will people use it as an excuse for criminal behaviour, poor work performance or other areas of failure in their lives?
Conclusion:
Internet Addiction Disorder is currently not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), but public perception seems to be that it is a real disorder. Time only will tell whether it becomes an accepted mental disorder, or just another everyday consequence of technological development.
However we should differ between the addiction of the non-essential and essential use for daily communication, researching and for professionals and technicians who use the internet as a source of information, and the time they spend online would be the same time they spend researching in libraries in case of internet absence.
Avoidance:
Avoiding internet addiction is not a hard task, getting involved in real social life is the best protection against internet addiction, while there are a lot of articles suggests similar points to protect or treat yourself against internet addiction, most common tips are:
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Encourage other interests and social activities.
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Monitor computer use and set clear limits.
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Keep Busy by finding activities to keep your mind off of the Internet.
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Be sure to maintain lots of offline activities.
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Get more involved in real social life.
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Spend more time with family and friends.
References:
- http://www.slais.ubc.ca/courses/libr500/04-05-wt1/www/H_Maisel/risk.htm
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DSM-V http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-V
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http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/165/3/306
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http://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/center-for-internet-addiction-
recovery/biography-of-dr-kimberly-young/
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David Greenfield, Virtual Addiction: Help for Netheads, Cyberfreaks and Those Who Love Them, (Oakland, Calif.: New Harbinger Publications, 1999), 22.
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Surratt, Carla G (1999). Netaholics? : the creation of a pathology Commack, NY : Nova Science Publishers.
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http://www.healthyplace.com/psychological-tests/internet-addiction-test/
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http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Internet-addiction/
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http://psychcentral.com/netaddiction/
