There’s been a lot of controversy about some of the maladies included in the freshly revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-V). Internet addiction, or formally, Internet Use Disorder (IUD), may soon be included as an actual mental health disorder, although the authors do say it still needs a lot of additional study.
What is Internet Addiction?
Internet addiction is described as an impulse control disorder, which does not involve use of an intoxicating drug and is very similar to pathological gambling. Some Internet users may develop an emotional attachment to on-line friends and activities they create on their computer screens. Internet users may enjoy aspects of the Internet that allow them to meet, socialize, and exchange ideas through the use of chat rooms, social networking websites, or "virtual communities." Other Internet users spend endless hours researching topics of interest Online or "blogging". Blogging is a contraction of the term "Web log", in which an individual will post commentaries and keep regular chronicle of events. It can be viewed as journaling and the entries are primarily textual.
Similar to other addictions, those suffering from Internet addiction use the virtual fantasy world to connect with real people through the Internet, as a substitution for real-life human connection, which they are unable to achieve normally.
Similar to other addictions, those suffering from Internet addiction use the virtual fantasy world to connect with real people through the Internet, as a substitution for real-life human connection, which they are unable to achieve normally.
Internet Compulsions
The ACE model helps to explain compulsive online use.
Accessibility
Because of the convenience of the Internet, users now have easy and immediate access to gambling, shopping and gaming at any time of day, without the hassles of everyday life (e.g. travelling or queues).
Control
Users are in control of their own online activity. With the use of newer technology such as Tablet Computers, users can engage with the Internet without others knowing about it.
Excitement
Internet users often get an excited feeling of a 'rush' or a buzz that they get when winning. Gambling, gaming and online bidding all potentially result in a win. Users will use the net as a way of gaining this emotion.
Compulsive online gaming, online gambling, stock trading and use of online auction sites are all classed as categories of Internet Addiction, that are said to often result in financial and job-related problems. Internet users can become easily addicted to these types of online activity, rather than the Internet itself.
Internet users can become addicted to playing online games, gambling and shopping through the feeling it gives them. These online activities can create the feeling of convenience, independence and excitement, which makes the user want to do it again.
Young (1999), a founding member of The Centre for On-Line Addiction claims Internet addiction is a broad term that covers a wide variety of behaviors and impulse control problems. She claims this is categorized by five specific subtypes including:
Cybersexual addiction
Compulsive use of adult websites for cybersex and cyberporn.
Cyber-relationship addiction
Over-involvement in online relationships.
Net compulsions
Obsessive online gambling, shopping or day-trading.
Information overload
Compulsive web surfing or database searches.
Internet Game addiction
Obsessive computer game playing.
Accessibility
Because of the convenience of the Internet, users now have easy and immediate access to gambling, shopping and gaming at any time of day, without the hassles of everyday life (e.g. travelling or queues).
Control
Users are in control of their own online activity. With the use of newer technology such as Tablet Computers, users can engage with the Internet without others knowing about it.
Excitement
Internet users often get an excited feeling of a 'rush' or a buzz that they get when winning. Gambling, gaming and online bidding all potentially result in a win. Users will use the net as a way of gaining this emotion.
Compulsive online gaming, online gambling, stock trading and use of online auction sites are all classed as categories of Internet Addiction, that are said to often result in financial and job-related problems. Internet users can become easily addicted to these types of online activity, rather than the Internet itself.
Internet users can become addicted to playing online games, gambling and shopping through the feeling it gives them. These online activities can create the feeling of convenience, independence and excitement, which makes the user want to do it again.
Young (1999), a founding member of The Centre for On-Line Addiction claims Internet addiction is a broad term that covers a wide variety of behaviors and impulse control problems. She claims this is categorized by five specific subtypes including:
Cybersexual addiction
Compulsive use of adult websites for cybersex and cyberporn.
Cyber-relationship addiction
Over-involvement in online relationships.
Net compulsions
Obsessive online gambling, shopping or day-trading.
Information overload
Compulsive web surfing or database searches.
Internet Game addiction
Obsessive computer game playing.
Internet Addiction and Pornography
Hypersexuality has become an enduring focus of empirical consideration in recent years (Kafka, 2010). The study of compulsive Internet pornography use as a subdomain of hypersexuality has also become a prevalent empirical focus in recent years. Internet pornography use is increasingly common in Western cultures (Carroll et al. 2008). In tandem with this increase, the mental health community has witnessed a dramatic rise in problematic Internet pornography use (Manning, 2006; Warden et al. 2004; Owens, Behun, Manning, & Reid, 2012).
Joshua B. Grubbs, a specialist in Addictive Behavior Patterns, outlines in the journal: Internet Pornography Use: Perceived Addiction, that at present there is no widely accepted means of defining or assessing problematic Internet pornography use and the notion of Internet pornography addiction is still highly controversial.
The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not recognise Internet pornography as an addiction. DSM-5, which was published in 2013, mentions hypersexuality (which includes problematic, compulsive pornography use) when discussing other disorders. However, there is no such thing as hypersexual disorder in DSM-5. While pornography is mentioned inside DSM-5 when discussing several paraphilias, there is no such thing as pornography addiction or health hazard due to porn consumption, according to DSM-5. DSM-5 does not consider pornography to be a mental health problem.
Joshua B. Grubbs, a specialist in Addictive Behavior Patterns, outlines in the journal: Internet Pornography Use: Perceived Addiction, that at present there is no widely accepted means of defining or assessing problematic Internet pornography use and the notion of Internet pornography addiction is still highly controversial.
The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not recognise Internet pornography as an addiction. DSM-5, which was published in 2013, mentions hypersexuality (which includes problematic, compulsive pornography use) when discussing other disorders. However, there is no such thing as hypersexual disorder in DSM-5. While pornography is mentioned inside DSM-5 when discussing several paraphilias, there is no such thing as pornography addiction or health hazard due to porn consumption, according to DSM-5. DSM-5 does not consider pornography to be a mental health problem.
Cyber Relationship Addiction
Cyber-Relationship addiction is one impulse-control problem that is covered within Internet Addiction Disorder also known as (IAD). It has been supported through different theories and articles over the years such as Ramdhonee's, Psychological impact of internet usage on children and adolescents and Young’s Internet addiction: Symptoms, evaluation and treatment.
A Cyber-Relationship Addiction has been described as, the addiction to social networking in all forms. Social Networking such as Facebook, Online dating service such as Uniform Dating.com along with many other communication platforms, creating a place to communicate with new people. Virtual online friends start to gain more communication and importance over time to the person becoming more important than real-life family and friends.
Cyber-Relationships are in essence a virtual relationship or form of communication between two people. Visuals are removed as it is communication through text, all you know of a person is what they are communicating to you and what is displayed on their profile. Some People, “will be attracted to the silent, less visually stimulating, non-tactile quality of text relationships - which may be true for some people struggling to contain the over-stimulation of past trauma. A person's ambivalence about intimacy may be expressed in text communication because it is a paradoxical blend of allowing people to be honest and feel close, while also maintaining their distance. People suffering with social anxiety or issues regarding shame and guilt may be drawn to text relationships because they cannot be seen. Some people even prefer text because it enables them to avoid the issue of physical appearance which they find distracting or irrelevant to the relationship. Without the distraction of in-person cues, they feel they can connect more directly to the mind and soul of the other person. Text becomes a transitional space, an extension of their mind that blends with the extension of the other person’s mind".
A Cyber-Relationship Addiction has been described as, the addiction to social networking in all forms. Social Networking such as Facebook, Online dating service such as Uniform Dating.com along with many other communication platforms, creating a place to communicate with new people. Virtual online friends start to gain more communication and importance over time to the person becoming more important than real-life family and friends.
Cyber-Relationships are in essence a virtual relationship or form of communication between two people. Visuals are removed as it is communication through text, all you know of a person is what they are communicating to you and what is displayed on their profile. Some People, “will be attracted to the silent, less visually stimulating, non-tactile quality of text relationships - which may be true for some people struggling to contain the over-stimulation of past trauma. A person's ambivalence about intimacy may be expressed in text communication because it is a paradoxical blend of allowing people to be honest and feel close, while also maintaining their distance. People suffering with social anxiety or issues regarding shame and guilt may be drawn to text relationships because they cannot be seen. Some people even prefer text because it enables them to avoid the issue of physical appearance which they find distracting or irrelevant to the relationship. Without the distraction of in-person cues, they feel they can connect more directly to the mind and soul of the other person. Text becomes a transitional space, an extension of their mind that blends with the extension of the other person’s mind".
How do I know that there is a problem?
The warning signs include:
-Preoccupation with the Internet - Thoughts about previous on-line activity or anticipation of the next on-line session.
-Use of the Internet in increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction.
-Repeated, unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop Internet use.
-Feelings of restlessness, moodiness, depression, or irritability when attempting to cut down use of the Internet.
-On-line longer than originally intended.
-Jeopardized or risked loss of significant relationships, job, educational or career opportunities because of Internet use.
-Lies to family members, therapists, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet.
-Use of the Internet is a way to escape from problems or to relieve a dysphoric mood - for example feelings of hopelessness, guilt, anxiety, depression.
-Preoccupation with the Internet - Thoughts about previous on-line activity or anticipation of the next on-line session.
-Use of the Internet in increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction.
-Repeated, unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop Internet use.
-Feelings of restlessness, moodiness, depression, or irritability when attempting to cut down use of the Internet.
-On-line longer than originally intended.
-Jeopardized or risked loss of significant relationships, job, educational or career opportunities because of Internet use.
-Lies to family members, therapists, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet.
-Use of the Internet is a way to escape from problems or to relieve a dysphoric mood - for example feelings of hopelessness, guilt, anxiety, depression.
What are the Effects of Internet Addiction?
Internet addiction results in personal, family, academic, financial, and occupational problems that are characteristic of other addictions. Impairments of real life relationships are disrupted as a result of excessive use of the Internet. Individuals suffering from Internet addiction spend more time in solitary seclusion, spend less time with real people in their lives, and are often viewed as socially awkward. Arguments may result due to the volume of time spent on-line. Those suffering from Internet addiction may attempt to conceal the amount of time spent on-line, which results in distrust and the disturbance of quality in once stable relationships.
Some suffering from Internet addiction may create on-line personas or profiles where they are able to alter their identities and pretend to be someone other than himself or herself. Those at highest risk for creation of a secret life are those who suffer from low-self esteem feelings of inadequacy, and fear of disapproval. Such negative self-concepts lead to clinical problems of depression and anxiety.
Many persons who attempt to quit their Internet use experience withdrawal including: anger, depression, relief, mood swings, anxiety, fear, irritability, sadness, loneliness, boredom, restlessness, procrastination, and upset stomach. Being addicted to the Internet can also cause physical discomfort or medical problems such as: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, dry eyes, backaches, severe headaches, eating irregularities, (such as skipping meals), failure to attend to personal hygiene, and sleep disturbance.
Some suffering from Internet addiction may create on-line personas or profiles where they are able to alter their identities and pretend to be someone other than himself or herself. Those at highest risk for creation of a secret life are those who suffer from low-self esteem feelings of inadequacy, and fear of disapproval. Such negative self-concepts lead to clinical problems of depression and anxiety.
Many persons who attempt to quit their Internet use experience withdrawal including: anger, depression, relief, mood swings, anxiety, fear, irritability, sadness, loneliness, boredom, restlessness, procrastination, and upset stomach. Being addicted to the Internet can also cause physical discomfort or medical problems such as: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, dry eyes, backaches, severe headaches, eating irregularities, (such as skipping meals), failure to attend to personal hygiene, and sleep disturbance.
How may I treat myself?
Examine all of the negative effects that have come of your internet addiction
These might be include physical pain, diminishing physical and mental skills, and loss of productive time, which could be spent on school or earning money.
Make a new priority list
Remember that while the internet is useful, outside of productive use, it should only be used on your free time, so consider where your free time is on your list.
Commit yourself to making a change for the better
Realizing that you have a problem, along with seeing the effects of the problem, gives you an advantage. It gives you a reason to change and motivates you to stick with it.
Progressively quit
Some people can't get over an addiction unless they stop completely, while cold turkey actually makes it worse for someone else.
Make a plan for how many hours a day you're allowed to play at the most, if you choose not to go cold turkey. You can cut down in increments like hours or half hours, and by day or week.
Move the Source
It's easy to feel the urge to get up and browse the internet if your computer is in the living room or your bedroom, so if you have another room to put it in, move it there.
Complete your other responsibilities first
When you come home from school, do your homework. Do your chores and take care of the top priorities before settling down for the day.
Go to bed earlier
Often, someone addicted to the internet will stay up late. Try going to bed earlier each day, but not so early that you'll just lay in bed staring at the ceiling. If you go to bed at 10, try 9 the next night, then 8 the next, and 7 the night after that.
Replace the time with productive activities
You can exercise, read, or do something else that stimulates your brain.
Go out with friends
Friends are important in life: they're there to support you, they're a source of advice, and later in life, those connections can even help you get a job. Plus, walking around the mall or the park can help your health.
These might be include physical pain, diminishing physical and mental skills, and loss of productive time, which could be spent on school or earning money.
Make a new priority list
Remember that while the internet is useful, outside of productive use, it should only be used on your free time, so consider where your free time is on your list.
Commit yourself to making a change for the better
Realizing that you have a problem, along with seeing the effects of the problem, gives you an advantage. It gives you a reason to change and motivates you to stick with it.
Progressively quit
Some people can't get over an addiction unless they stop completely, while cold turkey actually makes it worse for someone else.
Make a plan for how many hours a day you're allowed to play at the most, if you choose not to go cold turkey. You can cut down in increments like hours or half hours, and by day or week.
Move the Source
It's easy to feel the urge to get up and browse the internet if your computer is in the living room or your bedroom, so if you have another room to put it in, move it there.
Complete your other responsibilities first
When you come home from school, do your homework. Do your chores and take care of the top priorities before settling down for the day.
Go to bed earlier
Often, someone addicted to the internet will stay up late. Try going to bed earlier each day, but not so early that you'll just lay in bed staring at the ceiling. If you go to bed at 10, try 9 the next night, then 8 the next, and 7 the night after that.
Replace the time with productive activities
You can exercise, read, or do something else that stimulates your brain.
Go out with friends
Friends are important in life: they're there to support you, they're a source of advice, and later in life, those connections can even help you get a job. Plus, walking around the mall or the park can help your health.