Internet Addiction Disorder

 

 

 

What Is Internet Addiction?

Do you play video games on the Internet in excess? Can’t physically stop checking Facebook? Are you compulsively shopping online? Is your excessive computer use interfering with your daily life – relationships, work, and school? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from Internet Addition Disorder, also commonly referred to as Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), Problematic Internet Use (PIU), or iDisorder.

What are the Symptoms of Internet Addiction?

Signs and symptoms of Internet Addiction Disorder may present themselves in both physical and emotional manifestations.
Some of the emotional symptoms of Internet Addiction Disorder may include:

• Depression
• Dishonesty
• Feelings of guilt
• Anxiety
• Feelings of Euphoria when using the Computer
• Inability to Prioritize or Keep Schedules
• Isolation
• No Sense of Time
• Defensiveness
• Avoidance of Work
• Agitation
• Mood Swings
• Fear
• Loneliness
• Boredom with Routine Tasks
• Procrastination

Physical symptoms of Internet Addiction Disorder may include:

• Backache
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Poor Nutrition (failing to eat or eating in excessively to avoid being away from the computer)
• Poor Personal Hygiene (e.g., not bathing to stay online)
• Neck Pain
• Dry Eyes and other Vision Problems
• Weight Gain or Loss

What are the Effects of Internet Addiction Disorder?

If you are suffering from this disorder, it might be affecting your personal relationships, work life, finances, or school life. Individuals suffering from this condition may be isolating themselves from others, spending a long time in social isolation and negatively impacting their personal relationships.

Distrust and dishonesty issues may also arise due to Internet addicts trying to hide or deny the amount of time they spend online. In addition, these individuals may create alternate personas online in an attempt to mask their online behaviours.

Serious financial troubles may also result from avoidance of work, bankruptcy due to continued online shopping, online gaming, or online gambling. Internet addicts may also have trouble developing new relationships and socially withdraw, as they feel more at ease in an online environment than a physical one.