Some psychological conditions such as depression or obsessive compulsive disorder encompass other symptoms, such as internet addiction. Whether excessive internet use or internet addiction is part of a bigger mental health issue or is in its own category of psychological disorder is still being determined.
Signs of internet addiction include excessive internet use and poor relationships.
Internet addiction: how much is too much?
Researchers at Stanford University conducted studies in 2005 and 2006 about internet addiction, but have not reached a consensus about how much time is “too much” and is therefore a problem. Is one hour a day too much indicative of internet addiction? Three hours? Seven? Three is the average number of hours per day computer users spend on the internet. Whether this indicates an internet addiction in the scientific research world is separate from whether it's a problem in your household or life. Internet addiction may be a relative term.
A "small but growing number" of internet users are seeking medical help, says Elias Aboujaoude (assistant professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford). The drive to constantly check e-mail and visit chat rooms (signs of internet addiction) is similar to the struggles of substance abusers or impulse control disorders (such as obsessive compulsive disorder). Internet addiction may be as difficult to overcome as any other addiction.
Who is most likely to struggle with internet addictions?
Singles and young people are most likely to be addicted to the internet, perhaps because singles have more free time at home and young people are more comfortable with daily computer use, because they grew up with it. Even more specifically, single white college-educated men in their 30's are most likely to spend over 30 hours a week on non-essential computer use, which could lead to internet addiction. Even if some of this time is spent on creating and building internet relationships -- it may be unhealthy.
As with any addiction, an internet addiction can be a serious problem.
Signs of internet addictions
- You check your email every five minutes, and spend more time in chat rooms than chatting in your living room with friends and family.
- Your relationships suffer because of your internet use. Weak relationships are a sign of internet addiction.
- Your family and friends complain about your computer use (a sure sign of internet addiction is friends complaining).
- You hide the amount of time you spend on the internet. This is a strong sign of internet addiction.
- You hide the websites you surf. Secrecy is a sign of internet addiction.
- You use your computer to escape problems or avoid reality (this could be a huge sign of an internet addiction or other psychological disorders)
- You have a hard time staying off the computer for a day or two.
- You feel preoccupied by the internet when you’re not online. This is a sign of internet addiction.
Pay attention to the signs of internet addiction, because it can overtake your life. Dealing with an internet addiction can involve seeking medical or theraputic help, or simply limiting the amount of time you spend surfing or blogging. To beat an internet addiction, try new activities. Take a class or join a team -- often, kicking an internet addiction involves incorporating new activities into your life.
If you found Signs of Internet Addiction interesting, you might enjoy:
- Internet Addiction Treatment
- Overcoming Addictions
- 7 Signs of Addictive Relationships
- Resisting Temptation
