Internet Addiction Disorder

"It's a socially connecting device that's socially isolating at the same time."

New York psychiatrist Ivan Goldberg announced in 1995 a new addiction formed on the analysis of people staring into their computer monitor and abandoning previous obligations: Internet Addiction Disorder.

Internet Addiction Disorder is a condition that is presently hard to define because the abnormality has not been sufficiently researched yet. Computer Addiction and Cyberaddiction are additional names for this condition. There are many different beliefs about the origination and processes behind this disorder, however much research still has to be completed.

This addiction can be compared to ones such as compulsive shopping or pathological gambling. This inability to resist impulses leads to consequences that these instances can relate. Like other disorders, the person can feel their addiction will solve all their problems. Internet Addiction Disorder affects more then just the individual dependent on the computer. Friends, family, and coworkers can be affected because it can lead to a neglect of the normalcy the individual once contained.

It is estimated that out of the 189 million Internet users in this country, 6-10 percent have a potentially destructive addiction. However the skepticism remains in some of whether or not an Internet addiction justifies as a true addiction.

Different psychological symptoms have been targeted to the Internet Addiction Disorder. The person feels a sense of euphoria while on the computer, and does not have the desire to stop being online. The individual craves the computer, and neglects other people in the process. People could also use this as an outlet to their other problems. This addiction could lead to feelings of emptiness, depression, and irritability. There can be physical symptoms as well with the disorder. This included carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, back aches, and migraine headaches. The person may also not maintain a balanced diet, and neglect their sleep and personal hygiene.

There are different suggestions as to why the Internet is so addictive. A popular opinion is the idea of socialization in forms such as discussion forums, e-mail, chat, or games. Another hypotheses is that the addictive behaviors of the Internet are newcomers. Like other new activities, people can be drawn to something for extended periods of time because the experience is new for them. This is the first stage of the new environment, and this is the stage where most feel they are “addicted” at. Researchers feel that once the obsession is through, a healthy balance is reached. However, some people may need help to reach the stage of balance.

David Greenfield, founder of the Center for Internet Studies executed a survey on Internet addiction in 1998. He analyzed 18,000 Internet users who logged onto the ABC News Web site and found that 5.7 percent fit the criteria for compulsive Internet use, which was adapted from compulsive gamblers. These participants were found to spend a great deal of time on chat rooms, pornography, e-mail, and online shopping. Around 33 percent were found to use the Internet on a regular basis to lift their mood or escape their problems. There are other interesting studies being conducted relating to Internet addiction, one including depression. Depression is one aspect that is said to make teens more preoccupied going online. It is thought that depressed children find a small reward by going on the Internet. All the time alone makes the teen isolated which contributes further to their depression. Different studies that are being done are helping researchers gain further knowledge about Internet addiction.

Just because the addiction does not have concrete research does not mean one cannot seek help for it. Professional treatment is available for any addiction, including the computer. Professionals have helped people with other compulsive behaviors to become healthy, and can treat Internet addiction the same way.

Other researchers feel quite differently about an obsession to the Internet, and some feel that it does not exist. It is argued that addicted Internet users do not measure up to the same consequences on family life or health as other recognized additions. Professor Sara Kiesler at Carnegie Mellon University is one of these skeptics. She feels that while the Internet can be satisfying, it is no different then an addiction from bowling or playing the violin. She states that “there is absolutely no evidence that spending time online, exchanging e-mail with family and friend, is the least bit harmful. We know that people who are depressed or anxious are likely to go online for escape and that doing so helps them.” Professor Kiesler and other researchers call the addiction to the Internet a fad illness. She proclaimed she was doing a study of her own of heavy Internet users, and it showed the majority had greatly reduced their time online over the course of year which can show the problem is self-corrective.

There are still many discrepancies about Internet Addiction Disorder. Many question whether is it a disorder, and how one can generate the proper criteria to qualify it as one. It is suggested the further research should look not just as the person with the problem, but healthy Internet users as well. There is also the need for more theory and research as to the reason why the Internet is so fascinating to some people compared with other outlets. Internet Addiction Disorder is a new study, but one that will be greatly researched to find answers that will hopefully leave many questions today answered.




References

“Hooked on the Web: Help Is on the Way”
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/01/fashion/thursdaystyles/01addict.html?ei=5090&en=1a8916920717f083&ex=1291093200&pagewanted=print

“Internet Addiction Guide”
http://www.psychcentral.com/netaddiction/

“Internet Addiction Test”
www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm

“Computer Addiction Services”
http://www.computeraddiction.com/

“Medical Encyclopedia”
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001520.htm

“Internet Addiction”
http://www.nurseweek.com/features/97-8/iadct.html

“Is Internet Addiction Real?”
http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr00/addiction.html

“Internet Addiction May Mask Depression”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157555,00.html