Internet addiction disorder

Surveys conducted in the United States and Europe have indicated an alarming prevalence rate between 1.5 and 8.2 percent of its general population developing an internet addiction.

Internet addiction is a behavioral disorder where an individual obsessively becomes dependent on internet use and other online devices to cope with life’s stressors.

Begin by removing all temptations to go online such as shutting down devices, putting them to charge in a different room, or unplugging your wifi. Other ways you can control your internet use is by blocking notifications, making a schedule, and sticking by it.

Cybersex addiction is prevalent across the globe now. It is a self-explanatory addiction. Sexual fantasy/adult chat-rooms, pornography, adult websites, and xxx webcam services are the elements of it. Even married individuals may have addictions to pornography, and it can lead to serious relationship issues. Dependencies on any of these components can be harmful to the individual’s ability to form intimate, real-world sexual or romantic relationships. The treatment for cybersex addictions comprises of interventions to help the addicted person understand the damage caused. Ongoing or outgoing therapy are the next steps of the treatment process for this addiction.

Net compulsions are among the most dangerous addictions in the world. Online interactive activities, such as trading stocks, compulsive online shopping, gambling, and online auctions, fall within this category, and these habits can lead to adverse financial difficulties and job-related issues. Losing or spending excessive amounts of money can cause stress in relationships and economic problems. Some people are at higher risk of getting addicted to online gambling and shopping, and instant access to such online activities can make things worse. Many websites prey on these vulnerabilities.

This is another online threat that is affecting many thousands of relationships in our community. People who have addictions to these so-called online or cyber relationships either neglect or forget their real family and friends. Typical online relationships take place in chatrooms, social networking platforms, and other online services that facilitate interaction with people online. Some people who rely on online connections don’t even reveal their real identities, which has led to the term “catfishing.” Many people who spend hours chatting with online partners forget and neglect their relationship with real-life friends and family, preferring their virtual life to their real life.

A person with an addiction to online relationships struggles to have real-life connections that are genuine and healthy. The inability to make real-world connections is the downside of this addiction. A point then comes where the person has to rely upon those online relationships as their real-world connections fade away over time due to neglect. Therapy and counseling are the necessary components of a treatment program for such individuals.

The internet provides users with data and knowledge. Unfortunately, even this can turn into an addiction or an urge to organize and gather data. One may assume that gaining experience is a priceless act, but ruining your personal and professional life because of this habit is questionable behavior. This compulsion can turn into obsessive tendencies and result in the manifestation of any pre-existing conditions. In the worst case, this behavior can lead to reduced work productivity and even loss of a job. The right treatment for this compulsive behavior varies, depending on the severity of the addiction. Therapy, coping strategies, and medication are all part of the treatment program.

Addiction to computer games is predominant across the globe. Online and offline gaming that takes place on PCs, mobile devices, and laptops leads to this addiction. Playing online and offline games became a trend with the increased use of the internet. According to many studies, addiction to playing computer games can be considered a health disorder in specific settings. Some young individuals have missed or failed exams because of their addiction to computer games. Due to the lack of healthy activities, these individuals tend to lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Computer game addiction is perhaps the first type of PC/internet addiction, which has become a threat to the modern world.

Internet addiction can cause vision problems, insomnia, body aches, carpal tunnel syndrome, and weight loss/gain. It can also cause emotional effects such as mood swings, aggression, anxiety, dishonesty, and depression.

Research indicates the internet’s ability to make alterations in regions of the brain linked to cognition and subsequently affecting attention, memory, and social interactions.

Despite gaining serious attention from many researchers, mental health counselors, and doctors, internet addiction is yet to be classified as a mental disorder by the DSM-V.

A new study has found that teenagers addicted to the internet are more likely to develop depression and other psychological problems.

Internet addiction can affect both intimate relationships and relationships between family members. Commonly manifested issues include the breakdown of communication, and failure to meet family responsibilities, which in turn affects the quality of the relationship.

Technology addiction can cause an individual to spend more time in isolation, which could result in poor hygiene, the inability to form real-life connections, social anxiety, and depression.