Internet addiction diseases
What are the causes of this disease and what are the symptoms? How is it diagnosed? What treatment is available?
What Is Internet Addiction?
If you frequently play video games online, shop online, or check Facebook excessively, it may be interfering with your daily life. People who have Internet Addition Disorder also commonly referred to as Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), Problematic Internet Use (PIU), or iDisorder. It was first debated as a “real thing” in 1995 by Dr. Ivan Goldberg MD, who compared its original symptoms to those of a disorder he called “Internet Addiction”. This is a fake hoax meant to look like a real disorder. Since it has gained popularity so quickly, many researchers have labeled it as a serious mental health disorder. It is not officially recognized as such yet, but it is receiving plenty of attention from many professionals in the field. There is a wide discrepancy in the prevalence of mental disorders between American and European cultures- affecting up to 8.2% of the general population. However, some reports claim that it affects 38% of the population. This variation might be due to different methods of measuring the prevalence rate. There is no single, agreed-upon definition for Internet addiction Disorder. It is studied differently by scientists and mental health professionals. And it is studied differently across different cultures.
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The study of Internet addiction disorder has been hindered by the lack of a standard definition for this area. Researchers generally agree that Internet addiction is just one aspect of technology addiction in general, though the name implies otherwise. People become addicted to the Internet for many reasons - like other types of addiction, such as television addiction and radio addiction. Since the digital age has brought on an internet addiction epidemic, it has taken over as the most common type of addiction. This disorder is becoming more common. The bad news is that if you have it, you are constantly surrounded by technology. In the digital age the Internet has taken over. Most activities we do as a general population can be done on the Internet. If you can't find something you're looking for in a store, try looking online. Don't worry - the internet has got this! If you need to order pizza, why not just do it online? If you can't get to sleep, maybe there's someone on the internet who would like to play a video game with you at 3am. I'm awake and ready to play! That's why this disorder can be so troublesome - even treatment-wise. It's hard to live today without getting rid of the Internet. We're always surrounded by it - and for most of us, we use it every day.
It is not necessary to have Internet Addiction Disorder in order to use the Internet frequently or engage in online shopping. However, if these activities begin to interfere with your daily life, you may be suffering from an addiction. Internet addiction is categorized into various types. The most commonly recognized types of Internet addiction include gaming, social networking, emailing, blogging, and online shopping. Other researchers believe that it is not the amount of time spent online that is harmful, but rather the behaviors that are engaged in on the Internet. Internet use can be risky, just like any other activity. This is especially true for teenagers who are using teen dating sites that may have child predators lurking on the site. Internet addiction is one of the many multi-dimensional aspects of Internet addiction disorder. Other identified risk factors for Internet addiction disorder include physical impairments, social and functional impairments, emotional impairments, and impulsiveness in using the internet.
What Causes It?
It is not likely that an exact cause for Internet Addiction Disorder can be pinpointed. This disorder is typically characterized by having multiple contributing factors. Some evidence suggests that if someone suffers from Internet Addiction Disorder, their brain makeup resembles those who have other addictions. Some people have a chemical dependency, such as drugs or alcohol. Interestingly, some studies link Internet Addiction Disorder to physically changing the brain structure – specifically affecting the amount of gray and white matter in regions of the prefrontal brain. This part of the brain is responsible for decision making and controlling impulses. Decoupage is associated with memory-related tasks, such as attention planning and prioritizing. It is suggested that one of the causes of Internet Addiction Disorder is changes to the prefrontal region of your brain, which impede your ability to prioritize tasks in your life. Make sure that the Internet takes priority over necessary life tasks.
Internet addiction disorder is associated with other dependency disorders, such as addiction to drugs and alcohol. This behavior triggers the release of dopamine, which creates a pleasurable experience and activates the release of this chemical over time. This process can become addictive. If you enjoy online gaming or shopping, you may become addicted and need to engage in more of the behavior to achieve the same pleasurable feeling. You will become dependent on decoupage.
The causes of Internet addiction are due to the variable reinforcement effects of the Internet. The VRRS theory suggests that people become addicted to Internet activity (for example, gaming, gambling, shopping, or pornography) because it provides a predictable and repetitive behavior. The more you surf the Internet, the more rewards you will receive. These rewards might be unpredictable, as they may depend on your next visit to Facebook. Every time you sign on to your online account, good news or bad, happens. Maybe you found out one of your friends just got engaged. The next time you sign on, you learn another friend just had a baby! Or maybe the man you're interested in just posted an update that he and his longtime girlfriend broke up. Every sign on is a surprise, no matter what it is. Playing games that have unpredictable results can be fun, and you will want to keep playing them because they never end. Some games, such as MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online roleplaying games) and RPGs (role-playing games), can lead to internet addiction because they never end.
There may be biological factors that contribute to Internet Addiction Disorder. Your levels of dopamine and serotonin might be lower than average, which might require you to engage in more online activities in order to feel satisfied. People who are addicted to the Internet may experience the same pleasurable response as people who are not addicted, only in a larger quantity. To receive this pleasure, these individuals may engage in more public behavior, increasing their chances of addiction.
People who are prone to Internet addiction also tend to have anxiety and depression. This is because often when people are already struggling with these conditions, they turn to the Internet as a way to cope. People who are shy or socially awkward might also be susceptible to this type of addiction. People who are at a higher risk for developing Internet addiction are those with anxiety and depression. If you are shy or socially awkward, the Internet may be a way for you to fill a void in your life. It is rewarding emotionally without any social interaction required.
What are the Symptoms?
Some signs and symptoms of Internet Addiction Disorder may include physical and emotional symptoms. Some emotional symptoms of Internet Addiction Disorder may include:
- Depression
- Dishonesty
- Feelings of guilt
- Anxiety
- When using the computer, you can feel a sense of euphoria.
- Not being able to prioritize or keep schedules can lead to problems.
- Isolation
- No Sense of Time
- Defensiveness
- Avoidance of Work
- Agitation
- Mood Swings
- Fear
- Loneliness
- People can get bored with routine tasks.
- Procrastination
Some physical symptoms of Internet addiction disorder may include:
- Backache
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Not eating enough (or not eating at all) because you're worried about being away from the computer.
- Not taking proper hygiene measures (such as bathing) can lead to poor personal hygiene.
- Neck Pain
- Dry Eyes and other Vision Problems
- Weight Gain or Loss
If you have Internet Addiction Disorder, it might be affecting your personal relationships, work life, finances, or school life. People with this condition may be staying isolated from others for a long time. Internet addiction can have negative impacts on personal relationships. People who are addicted may become distrustful and dishonest, as they may try to hide or deny the time they spend online. In addition, they may create alternate online identities in an attempt to conceal their online behavior. If you are having serious financial troubles, it may also be because you have avoided filing for bankruptcy due to your continued online shopping, gaming, or gambling. Addicts to the internet may also find it more difficult to develop new relationships and withdraw socially – as they feel more comfortable in an online environment than in person. Physical objects have one side.
How is it Diagnosed?
While Internet addiction is gaining traction in the mental health field and has recently been added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a standardized diagnosis of Internet addiction disorder has not yet been discovered. This is significant A wide range of prevalence exists in the disorder--from 0.3% to 38%. This is a contributing factor to the overall variability in the disorder and its wide range of symptoms in different individuals.
One of the accepted diagnostic assessments of Internet Addiction Disorder is proposed by KW Beard in 2005. The five diagnostic criteria are as follows: 1. Preoccupation with the Internet or online activities to the extent that it takes away from important life activities such as school, work, or socializing; 2. A persistent or recurrent pattern of problematic Internet use that leads to significant impairment in personal, occupational, or social functioning; 3. The inability to cut back or stop using
- The person is preoccupied with the internet (thinking about past or future use of the internet).
- The Internet needs to be used more often in order to be satisfied.
- The person has unsuccessfully tried to cut back or stop using the Internet.
- When trying to control Internet use, is the mood generally restless, unhappy, or irritable?
- This website has remained online longer than originally intended.
According to Beard (2005), one of the following must be present in order to make a diagnosis of Internet addiction disorder:
- The Internet has endangered or risked a significant relationship, job, educational, or career opportunity because of its quickness.
- This person has lied to family members or therapists in order to conceal their involvement with the internet.
- Using the Internet can help you escape problems or relieve dysphoric moods (such as guilt anxiety and depression).
If you have sought help for an Internet addiction, you may have been given a mental test or questionnaire to assess your dependency on the internet. The most common assessment tools used to make a diagnosis of Internet addiction disorder include:
- Young’s Internet Addiction Test
- The PIUQ is a questionnaire that helps school officials identify students who may be using the internet in a problematic way.
- the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)
What are the Treatment Options?
The first step in solving a problem is recognizing that one exists. If you do not believe you have a problem, you are unlikely to seek help. Another problem with the Internet is that there is often no accountability and no limits on what someone can do online. You are hidden behind a screen, so you cannot see or be seen by others. Some things you say or do online may be embarrassing, but you would never do them in person.
Some people think that Internet Addiction Disorder is a "fad illness" and that it usually goes away by itself. Studies have shown that self-remediation can be successful. There are programs that control Internet use and which types of sites can be visited. Most professionals agree that trying to completely abstain from the computer is not an effective means of correcting behavior.
Some people think that medications can be very effective in the treatment of Internet addiction disorder. This is because if you have this condition, it is likely that you also have an underlying condition of anxiety and depression. It is generally thought that treating both conditions together will be more successful than treating one condition alone. Internet addiction may resolve with this treatment approach. Studies have shown that anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications can decrease Internet usage by more than 35 hours a week. Physical activity should be done for 16 hours each week. This will increase serotonin levels and reduce dependency on the Internet.
Some of the more common psychological treatments for Internet Addiction Disorder include: -Exercising regularly -Talking to a counselor or therapist -Staying away from the internet for set periods of time
- Individual, group, or family therapy is a type of counseling in which people meet with a therapist to discuss their problems.
- Behavior modification
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is a type of therapy that helps people deal with difficult situations.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps people change the way they think about things.
- Equine Therapy
- Art Therapy
- Recreation Therapy
- Reality Therapy
There are many treatment centers for Internet addiction, since the disorder is common among the general population. In some cases electroshock therapy was used to help individuals stop using the Internet – this method has since been discontinued. A residential treatment facility for people who have a pathological addiction to using computers was started in Seattle in 2009. In 2013, a USB-connected keyboard device was created that provides a very low voltage shock to users who visit certain websites. There are also de-addiction centers nationwide and internationally. This decoupage will help people with Internet Addiction Disorder.
In many cases, multimodal treatments are used to treat Internet Addiction Disorder. In this type of treatment, if you are suffering from this condition you might be prescribed both medications and psychological counseling to address your addiction to the Internet.
Continued or Questionable Existence?
Many researchers are unsure if Internet Addiction Disorder is a real disorder, since we live in the digital age and this has led to the Internet addiction. These symptoms are a result of other underlying problems.
Adding an extra complication to the situation is the fact that everything is online these days. It's hard to tell the difference between online and offline worlds. Everything is based on Internet interaction, from ordering food to communicating with friends and even watching television. There is a layer of confusion and distinction between other digital technology and the world. For example, we can now do anything from anywhere with just our phones, tablets, or other digital devices. Electronic devices.
Some researchers question whether excessive Internet use is an addiction or an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Indeed, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is correct in its acknowledgment that much more research needs to be done to study this topic.