As the conversation about mental health began to boom, the conversation regarding internet addiction (IA) has also risen along with it. Internet addiction has been defined as “excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges, or behaviors regarding computer use and internet access that lead to impairment or distress.” Its risks and consequences have been found to be along the lines of drug abuse. It is a mental health issue that can have many side effects on its own but has also been found to affect and trigger other mental health conditions.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of internet addiction disorder may be both physical and emotional. Examples of emotional signs may include failure to prioritize or keep schedules, isolation, loss of the sense of time, defensiveness, avoidance of work, anxiety, mood swings, loneliness, and procrastination. In regard to the physical signs of IA, the most widely recognized models include headaches, insomnia, poor personal hygiene (e.g. not showering to remain on the web), vision problems and eye irritation, failure to eat for long periods, and limited physical activity.
The Impact it has on Mental Health
The symptoms of internet addiction could trigger deeper mental health issues if not treated. Those can include depression, anxiety, and OCD. This could, in turn, affect personal relationships, work, or school life as well. Oftentimes, this is due to the fact that internet addicts spend a lot of time in isolation which, in turn, may negatively influence personal relationships. An issue that usually arises is distrust and dishonesty as they usually try to hide their online personality as well as trying to hide the amount of time they spend on the internet. Another important issue is related to social media. Excessive social media use may lead to frustration and psychological distress, which may leave a person with a deep feeling of dissatisfaction and low self-esteem.
Treatment
The first step in treatment is realizing that a problem exists. Because only when people start to realize that they are facing a real issue is when they are likely to go and seek help. It is very crucial for IA patients to seek the help they truly need due to the fact that there could be underlying conditions comorbid with IA. Treating the underlying conditions will also significantly help the internet addiction and the time spent on the internet. Treatment options may include medication, therapy, or a combination of both.