Internet addiction
Is there anybody you know who uses the internet excessively in a day, like for playing video games, visiting porn sites, online shopping, using Facebook, or visiting different chatting sites again and again? Is his or her excessive internet usage interfering with daily life, interpersonal relationships, work, school, etc.?
If the answer is yes, then maybe he or she is suffering from internet addiction. Internet habit is a growing social issue that is being debated worldwide. The Internet has become an indivisible part of our daily lives. Troublesome use of the internet can lead us to various mental and physical problems.
Surveys in the United States and Europe have indicated alarming prevalence rates between 1.5 and 8.2% respectively. There are some standards to classify and analyze internet addiction disorder.
The following 5 standards are required to diagnose internet addiction:
The individual remains preoccupied with the internet (thinks about the previous online activity or anticipates the next online session) and Needs to use the web with raised amounts of time to attain satisfaction. Has created unsuccessful efforts to regulate, cut back, or stop internet use.
Is restless, moody, annoyed, or volatile when attempting to cut down or stop internet use. Has stayed online longer than originally intended. Additionally, a minimum of one in every of the subsequent should be present: Risked the loss of a major relationship, job, academic or career chance because of the internet.
Lying to conceal the extent of involvement with the internet.
Use the net as a way of escaping from issues or relieving a dysphoric mood (like; feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression) There are different models available to explain the causal factor of internet addiction disorder.
A comprehensive model of the development and maintenance of internet addiction by Winkler and Dorsing takes into account socio-cultural factors, biological vulnerabilities like genetic factors, abnormalities in neurochemical processes, psychological predispositions, and specific attributes to clarify excessive engagement in internet activities.
Apart from the above-discussed points, there are two significant psychological issues commonly seen in this group; one is a strong tendency to escape from reality is there among internet addicts. These individuals find difficulty in facing the real world may be due to certain conflict issues that evoke stress and anxiety in them.
Involvement with technology and the internet becomes a way to get rid of discomfort. Another psychological issue is the tendency to regulate the atmosphere. Humans have a tendency to get control over everything and it is a fact that we can't control other persons and situations. Internet addicts are involved in this compulsive behavior maybe because it is easier to get control of technology and the internet than the real world which is more threatening for them.
The impact of problematic usage of the internet on social relationships has become alarming nowadays. The habit of surfing the net continuously is often harmful indirectly. Even it has been seen that people drifting away to the point that he/she cannot interact t with people. Constant preoccupation with the internet is damaging one's social skills.
People are losing a bit of their life and their self-identity. Nowadays people do t make an effort to establish face-to-face conversations, as many easy ways are available over the internet, like chat messengers, email, etc. The constant effects of addiction to the internet can lead an individual to such situations that involve various mental and behavioral problems. Depression, anxiety, substance abuse, etc.
The lack of social interaction can also lead to several physical impacts on individual brain chemistry & general physical health. There have been many debates on whether treatment modality is effective for the treatment of Internet Addiction Disorder. In many cases, multimodal treatments have been employed. It has been seen that there are many underlying psychological issues found in internet addicts, like anxiety, depression, etc.
In such cases, medications are also considered to be effective. Apart from pharmacological interventions, different psychotherapeutic models are found to be very helpful in treating internet addiction like cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, art therapy, family therapy, skill-building training, etc. Studies have found cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, is very effective and can bring better outcomes among this group.
