Internet
Internet addiction has been described as an impulse-control disorder which does not imply any substance abuse, similarly to pathological gambling.
Some internet users may develop an emotional attachment towards online friends and online activities. Internet gives people the possibility to meet up, socialize and exchange ideas in chat rooms, social networks or virtual communities.
Other internet users spend the majority of their time looking up their interests and blogging. Blogging stands for “Web Log”, and it implies a person sharing and commenting every single news. It can be seen as another way of written journaling.
Just like any other addicts, internet addicted users use the virtual/fantasy world to connect with real people, substituting the human connection with a virtual one, since they are not able to connect with people in real life anymore. Internet users or players may become compulsive when it comes to using technology. They can play excessively online, distancing themselves from family, friends and other activities which they once enjoyed.
SYMPTOMS
- A constant worry for online activities, both past and future (anticipation);
- An increased quantity of time spent online to get to the same level of satisfaction;
- Unsuccessful attempts to control, decrease or stop the use of internet;
- Discomfort, bad mood, depression or irritability when the individual tries to reduce time spent online;
- Staying online longer than initially intented;
- Loss of relationship or of job opportunities, of education or of career due to internet use;
- Attempts to minimize the problem to therapists or relatives or closed ones;
- The use of internet as a way to avoid problems or decrease a dysphoric mood (such as feelings of desperation, guilt, anxiety or depression).
EFFECTS
Internet addiction may result in personal, financial, academic or professional struggles, just like any other addiction. Real life relationship can also be impaired, since internet addicted spend a lot of time isolated and without human connection in daily life.
Those who suffer from internet addiction can make numerous attempts to hide the real quantity of time they spend online, which translates into distrust of real life social relationship.
Some users will create fake profiles online as an attempt to alter their identity and perceive themselves as somebody else. Those who experience feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem or fear of judgment are the most prone to develop this disorder. These negative states may lead to depression or anxiety. As a consequence, those who attempt to stop themselves from using internet will experience: anger, sadness, mood swings, anxiety, fear, irritability, solitude, boredom, restlessness, procrastination.
Internet addiction may cause physical discomfort such as: carpal tunnel syndrome, dryness of the eyes, back ache, headaches, malnutrition (due to missed meals), low personal hygiene or sleep disorders.
TREATMENT
It can be necessary a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, which includes both a psychotherapeutic and a pharmaceutical approach. Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be the most successful to gradually reduce internet addictive behavior while also uncovering alternative and equally satisfactory behaviors to implement. It can also help the patient develop his/her socio-relational skills.
Videogames
Videogames addiction is a disorder which affects many people around the world and has huge repercussions in the scholastic, personal and professional life of those who suffer from it.
Videogames addiction is characterized by a persistent and uncontrolled gaming behaviors, both online and offline. Gaming becomes the priority over every daily activity or personal interest.
Many people engage in online gaming, and only a few of them will develop an addiction to it. The difference resides into the negative effects that this gaming compulsive behavior has in the addicted person’s daily life. Gaming addiction has a huge impact in the personal, working, academic and family life of the individual.
SYMPTOMS
- A constant worry for gaming: the individual often thinks about gaming activities and the next time he/she’s going to play. Gaming becomes the predominant activity in one’s life.
- Withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, irritability, boredom, sadness, craving;
- Tolerance: a need to spend always more time gaming in order to achieve new and more complex goals online or to achieve the desired level of satisfaction;
- Loss of control: unsuccessful attempts to control the pathological behavior;
- Loss of interest: in the activities previously considered interesting;
- Compulsion: excessive and persistent gaming in spite of the negative consequences it has brought upon the person;
- Lies: about gaming and the time the person dedicates to it;
- Escape: gaming as an attempt to escape from negative feelings (such as powerlessness, sadness, shame, feelings of guilt and shame);
- Loss or impairment of personal relations, work related relations, job or career opportunities.
CAUSES
Videogames are very engaging and can therefore easily lead to addiction. While gaming a great amount of dopamine is released, which influences the reward system of the brain, leading the subject to perpetuate the behavior that led to that initial pleasure.
Overexposure to this specific kind of stimulation can lead to structural changes of the brain, which leave the subject to have unrealistic and immediate expectations of feelings of gratification from his/her activities. Videogames are so engaging that one does not realize time is passing by, they offer an escape from reality and they give the impression of being in a controlled, safe environment.
EFFECTS
It is common to spend at least 10 hours gaming, usually at night until the first lights of day. This causes sleep deprivation, malnutrition and dehydration, but it can also lead to epilepsy, due to the overstimulation caused by light impulses.
Anxiety disorders (such as agoraphobia, social anxiety), mood disorders (as depression or maniacal status) are also very common. One of the most severe effects is social isolation, as in Hikikomori syndrome, a Japanese term which refers to the total isolation from social life.
Gaming addicts tend to get angry easily, be depressed or violent and refuse to go to school/work. The impairments are shown in all the various spheres of life and long term effects can be pretty severe; in extreme cases it can lead to suicide.
ACCOMPANYING TROUBLES
Videogames addiction has many aspects in common with substance addictions. Some of the concomitant problems may be:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Other behavioral or substance addictions
- ADHD
TREATMENT
Treatment focuses on the correction of the pathological behaviors due to the addiction itself and on the focus on the pre-existent or subsequent psychological issues related to the addiction. A pharmaceutical approach (mood stabilizers or anxiety medications) is accompanied by psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be the most successful.
