Dr. Kimberly S. Young
Summary
The internet, a facility which was originally developed to facilitate research between academics, in recent years has become a hot topic among the mental health community.
Internet addiction is a new occurrence in the 21st century and this article deals with diagnoses, negative consequences, triggers and treatment of internet addiction.
The internet, a facility which was originally developed to facilitate research between academics, in recent years has become a hot topic among the mental health community.
Internet addiction is a new occurrence in the 21st century and this article deals with diagnoses, negative consequences, triggers and treatment of internet addiction.Diagnoses of internet addiction
Two problems stand in the way of diagnosing internet addiction;
· Physical substances ingested into the body can easily be termed addictive as they result in a physical reaction in the body though ‘’ defining addiction has moved beyond this to include a number of behaviours which do not involve an intoxicant such as compulsive gambling (Griffiths, 1990), video game playing (Keepers, 1990), and television-viewing (Winn, 1983). Therefore, linking the term "addiction" solely to drugs is no longer viable.
· The other contentious element related to the use of the Internet addiction is that unlike chemical dependency, the Internet offers several direct benefits such as social networking, research, education, online banking, shopping, simply checking the weather! Where is the line between addiction and healthy usage?
Proper diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that there is currently no accepted set of criteria for addiction much less Internet addiction.
Pathological Gambling is viewed as most similar to the pathological nature of Internet use. By using Pathological Gambling as a model, Internet addiction can be defined as an impulse-control disorder which does not involve an intoxicant.
Young (1996) developed a brief eight-item questionnaire which modified criteria for pathological gambling to provide a screening instrument for addictive Internet use:
1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous on-line activity or
anticipate next on-line session)?
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to
achieve satisfaction?
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
Etc.
Patients were considered "addicted" when answering "yes" to five (or more) of the questions and when their behaviour could not be better accounted for by a Manic Episode.
Negative Consequences Of Addictive Use Of The Internet
One of the main concerns in substance addiction is the negative and often dangerous physical implications of that substance on the body. However, the physical risk factors involved with an addiction to the Internet are minimal yet notable.
· The patient typically stays up past normal bedtime hours and may report staying on-line until two, three, or four in the morning with the reality of having to wake for work or school at six a.m.
· In extreme cases, caffeine pills are used to facilitate longer Internet sessions.
· Such sleep deprivation can have negative effects on the patient’s social, academic and working life, as well as lowering the immune system making them more susceptible to illness.
· Familial Problems - Marriages appear to be the most affected as Internet use interferes with responsibilities and obligations at home
· Academic Problems - Young (1996) found that fifty-eight percent of students reported a decline in study habits, a significant drop in grades, missed classes, or being placed on probation due to excessive Internet use.
· Occupational Problems – while the internet is undoubtedly a useful tool for business one firm tracked all traffic going across its Internet connection and discovered that only twenty-three percent of the usage was business related (Machlis, 1997).
Two problems stand in the way of diagnosing internet addiction;
· Physical substances ingested into the body can easily be termed addictive as they result in a physical reaction in the body though ‘’ defining addiction has moved beyond this to include a number of behaviours which do not involve an intoxicant such as compulsive gambling (Griffiths, 1990), video game playing (Keepers, 1990), and television-viewing (Winn, 1983). Therefore, linking the term "addiction" solely to drugs is no longer viable.
· The other contentious element related to the use of the Internet addiction is that unlike chemical dependency, the Internet offers several direct benefits such as social networking, research, education, online banking, shopping, simply checking the weather! Where is the line between addiction and healthy usage?
Proper diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that there is currently no accepted set of criteria for addiction much less Internet addiction.
Pathological Gambling is viewed as most similar to the pathological nature of Internet use. By using Pathological Gambling as a model, Internet addiction can be defined as an impulse-control disorder which does not involve an intoxicant.Young (1996) developed a brief eight-item questionnaire which modified criteria for pathological gambling to provide a screening instrument for addictive Internet use:
1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous on-line activity or
anticipate next on-line session)?
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to
achieve satisfaction?
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
Etc.
Patients were considered "addicted" when answering "yes" to five (or more) of the questions and when their behaviour could not be better accounted for by a Manic Episode.
Negative Consequences Of Addictive Use Of The Internet
One of the main concerns in substance addiction is the negative and often dangerous physical implications of that substance on the body. However, the physical risk factors involved with an addiction to the Internet are minimal yet notable.
· The patient typically stays up past normal bedtime hours and may report staying on-line until two, three, or four in the morning with the reality of having to wake for work or school at six a.m.
· In extreme cases, caffeine pills are used to facilitate longer Internet sessions.
· Such sleep deprivation can have negative effects on the patient’s social, academic and working life, as well as lowering the immune system making them more susceptible to illness.
· Familial Problems - Marriages appear to be the most affected as Internet use interferes with responsibilities and obligations at home
· Academic Problems - Young (1996) found that fifty-eight percent of students reported a decline in study habits, a significant drop in grades, missed classes, or being placed on probation due to excessive Internet use.
· Occupational Problems – while the internet is undoubtedly a useful tool for business one firm tracked all traffic going across its Internet connection and discovered that only twenty-three percent of the usage was business related (Machlis, 1997).
Triggers
Triggers go beyond physical situations or people, and may also include negative thoughts and feelings (Fanning & O ’Neill, 1996). When feeling depressed, hopeless, and pessimistic about the future, an alcoholic may resort to drinking. In this same manner, Internet addiction operates on triggers or cues which lead to "net binges." Young believes that behaviours related to the Internet have the same ability to provide emotional relief, mental escape, and ways to avoid problems as do alcohol, drugs, food, or gambling. Therefore, origins for such net binges can be traced back to the following four types of triggers: applications, feelings, cognitions and life events.
Treatment Strategies For Pathological Internet Use
· Practice The Opposite
· External Stoppers
· Setting Goals
· Abstinence
· Reminder Cards
· Personal Inventory
· Support Groups
· Family Therapy
· Practice The Opposite
· External Stoppers
· Setting Goals
· Abstinence
· Reminder Cards
· Personal Inventory
· Support Groups
· Family Therapy
Link to the full article; http://www.netaddiction.com/articles/symptoms.pdf
The internet, a facility which was originally developed to facilitate research between academics, in recent years has become a hot topic among the mental health community.
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