Internet Addiction

Posted by admin in Internet Addiction on Sep 11th, 2009 | no responses

Internet Addiction Every day the Internet grows with new Web sites. As this space develops, more and more people are finding it hard to get offline and back into reality.

According to a study done by Diane M. Wieland, associate professor and director of the Undergraduate Nursing Program at the La Salle University, between nine and 15 million people use the Internet daily. It is estimated that this number increases by 25 percent every three months and around five to 10 percent of these users will almost certainly develop an Internet addiction.

Internet addiction has become prevalent in the United States. This addiction has been described as an impulse control disorder. The interesting and obvious point is that Internet addiction is very similar in nature to pathological gambling. Just like other addicts, the lack of control they have over their behavior becomes a source of overwhelming distress for the user.

Signs of Internet Addiction

Like someone with a substance abuse, signs of Internet addiction will make themselves present in everyday situations. Some of these signs include:

Spending hours online without a break
Choosing to spend time on the computer instead of friends and family
Lying about how long the user is online
Hiding online activities
Always thinking about the Internet
Logging on as soon as family leaves the house

The preoccupation and anticipation of what is waiting for the addict takes away from being present in conversations and activities. As a result of this preoccupation and poor impulse control, more and more Internet addicts are suffering from:

Reduced sleep
Poor hygiene
Lack of physical activities
Increased anger
Poor social skills
Loss of important relationships

Online Activities

Many Internet addicts find themselves compulsively drawn to online communities. Sexual compulsivity at times is the root of the addict or online gambling. Other online activities include:

Shopping
Stock trading
General information searching
Constant Web surfing
Database searching
Interactive computer games

Symptoms of an Internet Addict

Once engulfed in their addiction, not only will the addict’s characteristics change, but you will also see the effects take place in their health and well-being.

Psychological symptoms:

Feelings of well-being or euphoria while at the computer
Inability to stop the activity
Craving more and more time at the computer
Neglecting family and friends
Feeling empty, depressed and irritable when not at the computer
Lying to family and friends about activities
Problems with school or work

Physical symptoms:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Dry eyes
Migraine headaches
Backaches
Eating irregularities, such as skipping meals
Neglecting personal hygiene
Sleep disturbances and changes in sleep patterns