Internet addiction
In the modern world, the Internet is a necessary element of the life of most of the world’s population. And this invention has many useful points. Unfortunately, the world Wide web is not only a blessing, but also a source of a common and dangerous disease.
Internet addiction is a pathological disorder of the psyche, a characteristic feature of which is the constant desire to be online, and the inability to give up this attraction. These two factors cause a large number of related problems.
CAUSES OF INTERNET ADDICTION
The most common cause of this form of dependence is recognized as the need for continuous communication arising from a network user. For this purpose, social networks, chats, forums, etc. are used. This problem occurs in people who have difficulties in real communication. Since they have a shortage of social and communication skills, they turn towards virtual reality, where they find a replacement for their circle of friends and relatives. A characteristic feature of this dependence is the desire to make as many contacts as possible, whereas for people independent of Internet communication, it is characteristic only to keep in touch with existing contacts.
An equally common reason for this dependence is the desire to receive a continuous flow of information, for which a person turns to the Internet. A person searches for information without any definite meaning, endlessly moving from one resource to another, wasting time and emotional strength, which leads to information overload.
The desire to abstract from the outside world with unresolved problems can provoke such an Internet addiction as gaming. Since it is much more difficult to succeed in the real world than in the virtual space, a person chooses this method to increase self-esteem, although in the end it only increases the number of unresolved problems.
The presence of problems in sexual life can also provoke the emergence of dependence on the World Wide Web, since the so-called cybersex seems not only attractive, but also safe for people who are addicted. The presence of such dependence threatens to cause big problems, both in the sexual and psychological life of a person.
SYMPTOMS OF INTERNET ADDICTION
Joyful anticipation of each new session, and when it is canceled, the appearance of sadness and depression.
Lack of desire for real communication with relatives and acquaintances.
The feeling of a constant desire to update the page on social networks and check new messages on e-mail.
Loss of a real sense of time, during a session on the Internet.
Neglect of household chores, official duties and studies, for the sake of visiting your favorite social networks and forums.
Physiological consequences of prolonged sessions in front of the computer: headache, aching joints, fatigue.
Indignation of close people that you spend too long periods on the computer.
DIAGNOSIS OF INTERNET ADDICTION
This diagnosis is confirmed by a psychologist who relies on the direct treatment of the patient and the complaints of his relatives.
TREATMENT OF INTERNET ADDICTION
In order to effectively cope with the presence of this addiction, a comprehensive approach from psychiatrists and psychologists is needed. It is extremely difficult to cope with this disease on your own, since an impartial specialist’s view of the overall picture of addiction is required. Experienced doctors will help the patient understand the reason that forced them to turn to the virtual world, since this is a necessary condition for getting rid of cravings for pathological addiction.
