Internet Addiction
What is internet addiction?
Internet addiction is an impulsive control disorder. Some internet users can develop an emotional attachment to their online friends, or an addiction to the activities they participate in, on their computer screens.
The addiction stimulates all the senses; the sounds from the computer, the visuals from the images, sounds and touch from the mouse and smells in the room. These are all part of the addiction stimulus. The dopamine (a chemical in our body) that is released acts as a drug that makes us feel good. This causes the person to keep repeating the behaviours over and over again.
Symptoms of internet addiction
- Feelings of guilt
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dishonesty
- Euphoric feelings when in front of a computer
- Inability to keep to schedules
- No sense of time
- Isolation
- Defensiveness
- Avoiding work
- Agitation when internet time cannot be accessed
Causes of internet addiction
As with other types of addiction, there isn’t a single cause, there are several factors that can play a role in the development of an addiction. These can vary from person to person and can include:
- An underlying mental health condition
- Genetics
- Environmental factors
Therapy approach for internet addiction
The first step to accessing treatment is acknowledging the problem and wanting to change. We would then offer an initial assessment with a consultant psychiatrist who would make a diagnosis and discuss a care plan. This could include referral to a therapist for 1:1 out-patient appointments. You would attend regular appointments and discuss the addiction and the recovery process, the emotions and habits that are formed as a result and your goals and the progress you are making. The consultant may recommend attending our day service where patients benefit from being part of a group. You can attend for a single day per week or up to three full days per week, and participate in the therapeutic programme that runs throughout the day. For those patients that require an intensive approach to treatment and to be away from the situations that are influencing behaviour, in-patient care may be recommended.
Outcomes
As part of your treatment you will learn and develop coping strategies to enable you to live in the digital world without returning to compulsive behaviour.
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