Internet and Computer Addiction
Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
While time spent online can be hugely productive,
compulsive Internet use can interfere with daily life, work, and
relationships. When you feel more comfortable with your online friends
than your real ones, or you can’t stop yourself from playing games,
gambling, or compulsively surfing—even when it has negative consequences
in your life—then you may be using the Internet too much. Learn about
the signs and symptoms of Internet addiction and how to balance your
life online and off.
What
is Internet addiction or computer addiction?
Internet Addiction, otherwise known as computer
addiction, online addiction, or internet addiction disorder (IAD),
covers a variety of impulse-control problems, including:
- Cybersex Addiction – compulsive
use of Internet pornography, adult chat rooms, or adult fantasy
role-play sites impacting negatively on real-life intimate
relationships.
- Cyber-Relationship Addiction –
addiction to social networking, chat rooms, and messaging to the point
where virtual, online friends become more important than real-life
relationships with family and friends.
- Net Compulsions – such as
compulsive online gaming, gambling, stock trading, or compulsive use of
online auction sites such as eBay, often resulting in financial and
job-related problems.
- Information Overload – compulsive
web surfing or database searching, leading to lower work productivity
and less social interaction with family and friends.
- Computer Addiction – obsessive playing of off-line computer games, such as Solitaire or Minesweeper, or obsessive computer programming.
The most common of these Internet addictions are cybersex, online gambling, and cyber-relationship addiction.
Healthy vs. unhealthy Internet use
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.
How do people become addicted to the Internet?
To relieve unpleasant and overwhelming feelings
Many people turn to the Internet in order to manage
unpleasant feelings such as stress, loneliness, depression, and
anxiety. When you have a bad day and are looking for a way to escape
your problems or to quickly relieve stress or self-soothe, the Internet
can be an easily accessible outlet. Losing yourself online can
temporarily make feelings such as loneliness, stress, anxiety,
depression, and boredom evaporate into thin air. As much comfort as the
Internet can provide, though, it’s important to remember that there are
healthier (and more effective) ways to keep difficult feelings in
check. These may include exercising, meditating, using sensory
relaxation strategies, and practicing simple breathing exercises.
For many people, an important aspect of overcoming
Internet and computer addiction is to find alternate ways to handle
these difficult feelings. Even when your Internet use is back to
healthy levels, the painful and unpleasant feelings that may have
prompted you to engage in unhealthy Internet use in the past will
remain. So, it’s worth spending some time thinking about the different
ways you intend to deal with stressful situations and the daily
irritations that would normally have you logging on.
Risk factors for Internet addiction and computer addiction
You are at greater risk of Internet addiction if:
- You suffer from anxiety. You may
use the Internet to distract yourself from your worries and fears. An
anxiety disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder may also
contribute to excessive email checking and compulsive Internet use.
- You are depressed. The Internet
can be an escape from feelings of depression, but too much time online
can make things worse. Internet addiction further contributes to
stress, isolation and loneliness.
- You have any other addictions. Many Internet addicts suffer from other addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sex.
- You lack social support. Internet
addicts often use social networking sites, instant messaging, or online
gaming as a safe way of establishing new relationships and more
confidently relating to others.
- You’re an unhappy teenager. You might be wondering where you fit in and the Internet could feel more comfortable than real-life friends.
- You are less mobile or socially active than you once were.
For example, you may be coping with a new disability that limits your
ability to drive. Or you may be parenting very young children, which can
make it hard to leave the house or connect with old friends.
- You are stressed. While some
people use the Internet to relieve stress, it can have a
counterproductive effect. The longer you spend online, the higher your
stress levels will be.
Signs and symptoms of Internet addiction or computer addiction
Signs and symptoms of Internet addiction vary from
person to person. For example, there are no set hours per day or number
of messages sent that indicate Internet addiction. But here are some
general warning signs that your Internet use may have become a problem:
- Losing track of time online. Do
you frequently find yourself on the Internet longer than you intended?
Does a few minutes turn in to a few hours? Do you get irritated or
cranky if your online time is interrupted?
- Having trouble completing tasks at work or home.
Do you find laundry piling up and little food in the house for dinner
because you’ve been busy online? Perhaps you find yourself working late
more often because you can’t complete your work on time — then staying
even longer when everyone else has gone home so you can use the
Internet freely.
- Isolation from family and friends.
Is your social life suffering because of all the time you spend online?
Are you neglecting your family and friends? Do you feel like no one in
your “real” life — even your spouse — understands you like your online
friends?
- Feeling guilty or defensive about your Internet use.
Are you sick of your spouse nagging you to get off the computer and
spend time together? Do you hide your Internet use or lie to your boss
and family about the amount of time you spend on the computer and what
you do while you're online?
- Feeling a sense of euphoria while involved in Internet activities.
Do you use the Internet as an outlet when stressed, sad, or for sexual
gratification or excitement? Have you tried to limit your Internet time
but failed?
Physical symptoms of Internet addiction
Internet or computer addiction can also cause physical discomfort such as:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain and numbness in hands and wrists)
- Dry eyes or strained vision
- Back aches and neck aches; severe headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Pronounced weight gain or weight loss
Internet addiction: Cybersex and pornography
While online pornography and cybersex addictions are
types of sexual addiction, special challenges on the Internet include
its relative anonymity and ease of access. It’s easy to spend hours on
the Internet in the privacy of your own home, and engage in fantasies
impossible in real life.
Compulsively spending hours on the Internet viewing pornography or
engaging in other cybersex activities can adversely affect real-life
relationships, career, and emotional health.
