Just When Can Someone be Considered an Internet Addict
Many experts have declined to comment on the status of the
internet addiction disorder for a long time. It was not really intended to be
part of the wide array of disorders that threaten the modern person’s sanity at
that time but as move on into the digital era, the very idea of internet
addiction as a form of diseases is no longer remote. In fact, many health
professionals are now convinced that too much attachment or destructive type of
dependency on the internet can already be classified as a form of disease. Yes,
there are still a lot of criticisms and discussions to be resolved before this
type of disorder can be included in the books but the possibility that this type
of disorder will indeed become a leading form of mental disorder in our
generation is not really remote.
What most people online who think they are addicted are probably
suffering from is the desire to not want to deal with other problems in their
lives. Those problems may be a mental disorder (depression, anxiety, etc.), a
serious health problem or disability, or a relationship problem. It is no
different than turning on the TV so you won't have to talk to your spouse, or
going "out with the boys" for a few drinks so you don't have to spend time at
home. Nothing is different except the modality. What some very few people who
spend time online without any other problems present may suffer from is
compulsive over-use. Compulsive behaviors, however, are already covered by
existing diagnostic categories and treatment would be similar. It's not the
technology (whether it be the Internet, a book, the telephone, or the
television) that is important or addicting -- it's the behavior. And behaviors
are easily treatable by traditional cognitive-behavior techniques in
psychotherapy.
People who work online and spend so much time working in front
of their computers are not exactly what you may call as internet addicts.
Internet addiction is much more than just spending some time online trying to
earn a living. In fact, even if you spend several hours surfing the net but you
do feel this obsessive need to be online most of the time, you cannot really say
that you are already an addict. We must understand that addiction is a strong
word and before you can say that you are addicted to something, you must have
that uncontrollable and insatiable craving for that something. Internet
addiction therefore should be viewed in a more complex manner than just simple
need to be online most of the time.
When exactly can you be considered as an internet addict?
According to some experts, internet addiction happens when one becomes dependent
on some aspects of the internet. Having a pathological relationship with some
specific online sires such as those online gambling, online auctions, adult
sites and others can actually make one an internet addict. A lot of people who
are hooked on these sites often become agitated and restless if they cannot log
into the internet and check out these sites during the day. In fact, some people
are known to spend long hours on these sites that they often forget some
themselves. In most cases, internet addicts face their computer the whole night
that they can no longer function well during the day. According to some experts,
denying this person access to the internet may result to extreme anxiety and
withdrawal symptoms.
Roger Thompson writes for Leading Leading Portal for health
care, medical, biotech and hospital jobs.
Article source: http://www.articledeshboard.com/.
Used with author's permission.
