Internet Addiction

What Is An Internet Addiction?

Internet addiction refers to someone compulsively using the internet to the point that it becomes a problem, negatively affecting how they function in life.

While internet addiction is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, many professionals consider it a behavioral addiction. When evaluating someone for internet addiction, a mental health professional will likely use the following criteria to determine the severity.

• You are on the internet excessively; you are preoccupied with it.
• You need to be online more often due to developing a tolerance.
• You can’t quit or cut back your time online despite attempts.
• You experience withdrawal symptoms when unable to go online, like restlessness or irritability.
• You neglect home, work, school, or social duties to spend time online.
• You continue to spend time on the internet even though it causes relationship problems.
• You continue to spend time online even though it affects your psychological or physical health.
• You lie or try to cover up your internet use.
• You can’t stop going online despite legal, financial, or other negative consequences.

Having at least four of these criteria in 12 months is diagnosable as an addiction.

Types Of Internet Addiction

Internet addictions differ depending on the specific online activities with which a person engages. There are six main types of internet addiction, including porn and cybersex, social media, gaming, online relationships, compulsive information seeking, and online compulsions. A mental health professional will create an effective treatment plan based on the type of internet addiction you have.

Porn And Cybersex Addiction

Porn addiction, cybersex addiction, and AI porn addiction refer to online activities involving sexual activity. Viewing porn online entails viewing sexually explicit photos or videos on the internet, whether you pay for them or see them for free.

Cybersex occurs when you engage in sexual activities with another person online. You may be sending sexually explicit messages back and forth or engaging in sex using video technology.

If you are lying to loved ones about what you do online, hiding your activities, or spending excessive amounts of money to engage in these activities, you likely have an addiction to porn or cybersex.

Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction is the inability to stop engaging on social media platforms. Facebook addiction, Instagram addiction, Snapchat addiction, YouTube addiction, and TikTok addiction are all grouped under social media addiction.

Social media offers many advantages, like communicating with friends and family, purchasing products, creating retail stores, posting and watching videos, marketing, and more. However, social media addiction occurs when you cannot stop using the platforms despite experiencing adverse consequences.

If you find yourself spending hours on social media because you fear missing out on something, want to escape reality, or are trying to reduce stress, you may be at risk of developing an addiction.

Gaming Addiction

Gaming addiction refers to excessively playing video games, card games, sports games, skills games, and multiplayer role-playing games online.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 160 million Americans play internet-based games, many of which can enjoy their activities without problems. Others develop an internet-gaming disorder, which means online gaming activities become a priority over all other areas in your life. It causes problems at work, home, school, and socially, yet you can’t quit. You have a strong urge to continue gaming online that you cannot overcome alone.

Online Relationship Addiction

Cyber or online relationship addiction refers to finding and maintaining relationships online, like in chat rooms or different social networking sites. For some, this means managing multiple online relationships simultaneously, requiring numerous hours of online activity. It can occur anywhere you can interact with people online.

People who pursue online relationships often do so while concealing their real identity and appearance; this modern phenomenon led to the term “catfish.”

After being consumed by an online social life and persona, a person may be left with limited social skills and unrealistic expectations concerning in-person interactions.

Compulsive Information Seeking

Compulsive information-seeking is the constant need or desire to acquire information online. You may feel a strong desire to collect information from numerous sources. You may jump around from topic to topic, continuing to gather more information. You may even feel the urge to organize it. Ultimately, you turn to the internet for information that may or may not be helpful.

In some cases, information-seeking is a manifestation of preexisting, obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Compulsive information-seeking can also reduce work productivity and potentially lead to job termination.

Online Compulsions

Online compulsions, including shopping, AI addiction, crypto and stock trading, bidding in auctions, and gambling, are internet addictions that can have adverse financial consequences for you and your family.

Reasons for online compulsion may be to boost your mood, escape personal problems, or reverse previous poor financial decisions. You may be chasing a win to recoup money you lost in the past. Unfortunately, the few moments that make you feel good are outweighed by the times that increase anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and negative consequences personally, professionally, and socially.

Signs And Symptoms Of Internet Addiction

Each person may exhibit different signs and symptoms of internet addiction. Behavioral patterns will change, however, and can indicate whether someone needs help. Common behavioral patterns include the following:

• Being preoccupied with the internet and making it a top priority.
• Spending excessive amounts of time online trying to find relief for stress or negative emotions.
• Losing track of time while on the internet which often leads to missed appointments or deadlines.
• Using the internet as a coping tool, going online whenever something unpleasant occurs.
• Getting defensive or agitated when confronted about online use.
• Being easily annoyed or upset when required to go without internet.
• Missing out on work, school, or home opportunities due to internet use.
• Experiencing sleep-related problems.
• Changing weight, hygiene, or appearance.

When you can’t stop using the internet, lie or sneak around to use it, or schedule your life around it, you likely have an internet addiction. Because so many factors contribute, it is crucial to seek an assessment from a licensed mental health professional before the effects of internet addiction become overwhelming.

Effects Of Internet Addiction

An internet addiction can have many harmful effects on you physically and emotionally.

Body aches, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, vision problems, and weight gain/loss are just some of the physical difficulties you may suffer as a result of an internet addiction. Emotional effects of internet addiction may include depression, dishonesty, anxiety, aggression, and mood swings.

In addition, you may experience social isolation and harmful online interactions. Addiction can have a domino effect, like decreased productivity, poor performance, job loss, and financial hardships. These can lead to broken relationships, loneliness, and mental health problems.

Internet Addictions And Mental Illness

Internet addiction is often associated with co-occurring mental health disorders. For some, having an internet addiction can worsen mental illness, while for others, using the internet is a way to mask the mental health symptoms of internet addiction. Common co-occurring disorders with internet addiction include the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance use disorders
• ADHD
• Eating disorders

Because internet addiction and mental illness are both complex, determining if you have a co-occurring disorder happens with the help of a mental health professional. They can accurately diagnose you and, with your help, create a treatment plan for recovery.

Treating An Internet Addiction

Each type of internet addiction can have adverse consequences and effects and may require unique therapies to help you maintain lifelong recovery. However, there are evidence-based treatments to help you overcome an addiction, such as:

• Behavioral therapies to help you change thought patterns and behaviors regarding the internet.
• Mindfulness-based interventions to help you become self-aware.
• Couples therapy and family therapy for everyone affected by your addiction.
• Technology-based interventions include internet blocking and filters, digital detox programs, and apps for self-control.
• Pharmacotherapies or treatment medications to help you control symptoms.

If your internet addiction co-occurs with a substance use disorder, you may benefit from inpatient or outpatient addiction recovery programs that include individual counseling, group therapies, 12-step facilitation programs, telehealth options, or online support.

Taking The First Step

Sometimes, the first step is the most challenging since knowing where to begin can feel confusing and overwhelming. Fortunately, help is available.

If you are struggling with internet addiction, online therapy can help uncover the underlying issues that may be contributing to your addictive behaviors. In therapy, therapists will encourage you to explore these thoughts and feelings to help you heal. Get started today and get back to living a healthy, addiction-free life.

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