The recent case of a Chinese youth beaten to death at an Internet addiction camp has once again highlighted the widespread reach of this disorder. The Chinese Government has stated that over 13 percent of Internet users are addicted to it, and in the US, a University of Stanford School of Medicine Study found that one out of eight Americans suffer from Internet addiction. These are high figures and they only seem to be growing.
While in the past, computer addicts also had joysticks in their hands and played games well into the night, currently, it’s the ever increasingly popular social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace that are beckoning newer recruits. And while Internet addiction does not differentiate between age or gender, it is growing at an alarming rate amongst the youth, whose parents can no longer ignore the fact that John or Sarah are now locked in their room for hours on end, Tweeting with their friends or sharing photos of their latest shenanigans with the world.
So when does spending time in front of the computer move from being "too much time" to an "addiction"? Officially, there is a still a question as to whether to include Internet addiction disorder (IAD) under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Supporters of Internet Addiction as a disorder state that patients need to get proper treatment as they would with any other disorder. Skeptics believe that this would lay open claims to insurance fraud on an unprecedented scale. However, despite its uncertain classification, there lies no doubt that there is a growing class of net users who cannot and do not live without their daily Internet fix.
The most popular sub-classifications of IAD are as follows: excessive viewing of online pornography, excessive visits to gaming sites, inappropriate or over usage of social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook and of blogs and of course, Internet shopping.
Based on DSM guidelines, there are a number of ways to indentify an Internet addiction and the following are just some of them:
- Being preoccupied with the Internet and constantly thinking about using it.
- Increasing the time you spend on the Internet in increments.
- Trying to cut back or even stop using the net, with no success.
- Feeling restless or irritable if Internet access is unavailable.
- Lying or concealing the amount of time you spend on the Net.
- Putting your job, relationship or studies into jeopardy due to excessive usage of the Net.
Physical symptoms may include:
- Insomnia
- Dry or itchy eyes
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Migraines or headaches
- Backaches and neck aches
- Skipping meals
- Neglecting personal hygiene
While Internet addiction may not officially be recognized as a disorder, it is a serious one nonetheless and should be treated accordingly. The engaging nature of the Web is such that it’s hard to keep a track of the time spent on it. While complete abstinence would work for alcoholics or drug abusers, it’s inconceivable to think that in today’s world, a person can be expected to stay away completely from the net. In this instance, a gradual reduction of usage would probably work better. While visiting a therapist is your best choice, the actual therapy recommended would vary from person to person. Most important however would be identifying the triggers which lead to this addiction. Why do you need to spend endless hours online? Or, why gamble away your salary on online poker? Once you realize why you are doing something, it’s always easier to find a workable solution. Similar to AAA meetings, group sessions are also an excellent solution of keeping Internet addicts on track with their goals. In the end, it’s recognizing you are addicted, identifying your triggers and seeking continuous support to help you stick with your plan, which will assist you in breaking this very addictive habit.
