Internet Addiction - Causes and Signs of Internet Addiction

Types of Internet addiction

Today, psychotherapists distinguish the following main types of Internet addiction:

• The desire to communicate on the Internet and make new acquaintances online. This can be staying on dating sites, chats, various forums. People who have problems with communication in real life suffer from this addiction. Often, friends on the Internet become more important than family and real friends, which causes problems with loved ones.

• An irresistible craving for new information flows, which makes a person regularly wander around the network. Online surfing contributes to an endless search for information without a specific goal and meaning. As a result, a person spends a lot of time meaninglessly wandering around sites, which leads to information overload and loss of productivity.
• Game addiction. This problem is extremely relevant in the field of mental health for the society of the modern world. Gamblers lose their families, their financial savings, even to the point of complete ruin, neglect their professional activities, since games come to the forefront.
• Addiction associated with gambling on the Internet. This type of addiction is very similar to gambling, but this addiction attracts more players than standard slot machines or casinos. Teenagers are at risk, since this addiction is quite common among them.
• Sexual addiction. People who suffer from this addiction watch, download or distribute pornographic products on the Internet. These people can also take part in role-playing games and communicate in appropriate chats. As a result of this addiction, relationships with a partner, family, children deteriorate, problems in professional activities arise, since the addiction becomes a priority for the patient.

Depending on the development of the disease, the following stages are distinguished:

• First stage. At this stage, the user gets acquainted with the Internet, its capabilities and chooses a suitable virtuality for himself.
• The second stage. There is a distance from reality, the addict spends more and more time online.
• The third stage is stabilizing. The problem becomes obvious, the symptoms of addiction are clearly expressed, becoming chronic. An increasing factor of addiction is stress or the emergence of new topics on the Internet that are interesting to the patient.

Causes

The basis for the emergence of Internet addiction is the ability to compensate for unrealized needs in real life on the Internet: significance, achievements, sex, communication, love and friendship. The Internet can improve mood, alleviate depressive states caused by low self-esteem, loneliness, resentment, failure, fear, etc. The factor in the development of addiction is improper upbringing, an unhealthy atmosphere in the family and lack of spirituality. Such principles of education as permissiveness, suppression of initiative, impunity and lack of accountability contribute to the development of addiction in a person.

Symptoms of Internet addiction

The clinical picture of Internet addiction is manifested by the following signs:

• A feeling of euphoria while online, when it is impossible to go online, despondency and apathy are observed;
• It is impossible to distract the addict from the monitor and motivate him to go outside;
• The patient does not communicate with the real world, does not visit friends and relatives, that is, gradually begins to lose contact with people;
• The addict regularly checks his mail on the network, updates the page on social portals, visits the account of a dating site, etc.;
• The patient discusses network topics even with people who are not informed in this area;
• The sense of time is lost. A person does not notice how time flies online, he can go online for just a few minutes on business, and leave after a few hours;
• While online, a person forgets about professional activities, household chores, meetings and promises;
• Resources on the Internet are visited automatically, and not with a specific purpose;
• The user spends money on hobbies on the network, trying to hide it from his family;
• At the physiological level, pain in the eyes, joints, sleep and nutrition disorders are felt;
• At the psychological level, aggression, anxiety, despondency caused by negative news appear;
• Close people complain about the irresponsibility of the addict and detachment from reality. The patient himself is not able to notice his passion.

Diagnostics

If a person has the above symptoms, he becomes psychologically dependent on the Internet and needs the help of a qualified specialist who will prescribe the necessary treatment.

Treatment of Internet addiction

Treatment of addiction is carried out by a psychotherapist. At the first stage of treatment, diagnostics of the causes of addiction and elimination of the depressive state should be carried out. The basis of addiction treatment is psychological support, which is selected individually for each patient and is carried out in special groups. Psychological support is aimed at improving relationships with family and friends, teaches self-control and the ability to solve problems, cultivates willpower in a person, increases his self-esteem, and forms new hobbies in life.

Addiction affects the atmosphere in the family, so during the treatment it is necessary to provide assistance to the patient's relatives in order to improve their relationships. Also, the treatment complex includes a medicinal method. A specialist prescribes antidepressants to the patient, which improve the patient's mood. Narcotic analgesic antagonists help to get rid of psychological dependence.

Prevention

People who are at risk should eliminate communication with Internet addicts. If a person feels a craving for the Internet, they should definitely consult a psychotherapist.

Prevention of Internet addiction consists of an active and healthy lifestyle. You need to move more and play sports, actively relax, walk in the fresh air. You need to learn to cope with difficulties and cultivate healthy optimism in yourself.

The Internet can be useful if you make this means of information the achievement of your goals and the solution of real, not virtual problems. You can use the Internet to learn and acquire new skills, such as learning a foreign language or typing quickly, and to gain knowledge that has real meaning in life.