According to recent studies as much as 10% or more of the global population could be addicted to the internet. Doctors are still researching and studying this new aspect of addiction. The center for internet addiction says that it’s not how much time that you are on the internet; it is how the way the use of it affects an individual’s life. Internet addiction is still classified as just an impulse disorder by some professionals and a full blown addictive disorder by others. According to the video, it’s not classified a full blown addiction yet, but there are many recovery centers for internet addiction all over the world.
According to The Center for Internet Addiction, the following are a few symptoms of internet addiction:
• Failed attempts to control behavior
• Heightened sense of euphoria while involved in computer and Internet activities
• Neglecting friends and family
• Neglecting sleep to stay online
• Being dishonest with others
• Feeling guilty, ashamed, anxious, or depressed as a result of online behavior
• Physical changes such as weight gain or loss, backaches, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Withdrawing from other pleasurable activities
These symptoms may look familiar to symptoms from other addictions.
The Mayo clinic considers the following as symptoms of drug addiction:
· Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — this can be daily or even several times a day
· Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
· Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
· Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
· Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
· Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
· Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
· Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug
(Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-addiction/DS00183/DSECTION=symptoms)
Comparing these two lists you can see how the internet could fill a void that is similar to a drug. People can actually get a "high" from using the internet. From what I know about studying addictions and the public health consequences it is not a simple topic.
Addiction has to do with genetics, psychology, emotional, hereditary traits from mother and father, environment, childhood experiences, exposures, and lifestyles that are conducive for creating addictions. For example if a child is constantly made fun of at school they may lock him or herself in their room and surf the internet for hours at a time. This overtime, may turn into a habit: they can stop whenever they want to. When that habit starts to alter the psychological component and they rely on the feeling of being on the internet to function is when it turns into INTERNET ADDICTION.
Medical news today defines addiction as:
Addiction - there is a psychological/physical component; the person is unable to control the aspects of the addiction without help because of the mental or physical conditions involved.
this isn't the first time i've heard that people could become addicted to the internet. it's always sounded very strange to me that someone could become addicted to it, like it kind of sounded like more of an excuse than something that's real. but it's nice to see that there's actually some research about this. i'd be more inclined to be more opened minded about this in the future.
ReplyDeleteI thought that at first also Jeanette, but some classify this as a very serious disease, and others don't buy it. I think if you have a realistic personality you would lean toward the perspective of it not being a disorder. I think many people don't have self control in many things in his or her life and this is just another thing added to the list.
ReplyDeleteBUT Doctors in the mental industry would argue that it is a real addiction and Doctors in a more physical arena would probably say it's not a real addiction. Generally there is still a lot of contradiction in the professional fields about internet addiction. I would generalize that it is Less addictive than most addictions, less prevalent, but a newer area that still needs research accomplished.
I believe that being addicted to the internet can be an addiction. In my opinion it can truly harm someone if they are neglecting all the other aspects of their life. Anyone can become addicted to anything, whether its drugs, or something like the internet, doesn't matter you can become addicted to either one. The effects of doing drugs may be effective much faster than the effects of internet addiction, but eventually that will harm you as well. Everything in moderation is important and in my opinion and we should be ware of internet addiction as an important type of problem.
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