Wendel Abel
JOHN SPENDS a lot of time on the Internet viewing pornography. This has affected his relationship with his girlfriend and has been affecting his studying.
Lena has been doing a lot of shopping on the Net. She is almost on the verge of bankruptcy.
Paula is hooked to the Internet playing games. Her mother complains that she cannot get her to do anything around the home anymore.
What do these persons have in common? They are all addicted to the Internet. "Internet Addiction Disorder" is what it is called, this is a term coined by a psychiatrist, Ivan Goldberg.
Millions of persons spend a lot of time online gambling, shopping, meeting people, getting involved in relationships, sometimes even potentially dangerous ones. There are hundreds of pornography sites on the Internet and many people are logging on to them, neglecting their relationships and causing problems in their marriages. Other persons are finding that they spend a lot of time sending emails and in chat rooms.
THE FEATURES OF INTERNET ADDICTION INCLUDE:
1. Compulsion with using the Internet and preoccupation with a particular activity on the Internet.
2. Withdrawal symptoms. Some persons actually develop withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, sweating and inability to sleep when they try to reduce or stop these activities.
3. Impairment in functioning. A common feature of any addiction is that it may affect important areas of functioning. It may affect relationships, school performance, job and other important functions.
4. Increasingly the addicted person need to spend more time on the Internet. This is referred to as tolerance, and persons who suffer from any type of addiction find that they have to engage more time in the particular activity in order to get the same amount of pleasure.
5. Individuals who are addicted to the Internet may be at risk of losing their relationships, jobs, careers, and their educational pursuits may be affected.
CAUSES OF INTERNET ADDICTION
Internet addiction may be like any other addiction and can be as devastating as addiction to drugs, alcohol or even gambling. People may become addicted to anything for a variety of reasons; these reasons may include factors going back to childhood, boredom, depression, anxiety or loneliness. Some people may have an "addictive or compulsive personality" and in many individuals the addiction may be linked to chemical imbalances in the brain.
So you may be asking, "Are all persons who spend a lot of time on the Internet addicted?" Definitely not! Spending a lot of time on the Internet does not make everyone an addict. The reality is that some people have to spend a considerable amount of time on the Internet because of career or school requirement; they may be researchers, journalists, students among others. It is therefore important that before we label persons as being addicted to Internet, that place their usage in context with their everyday functioning.
Can Internet addiction be dangerous? Yes, certainly! Especially if one is spending a lot of time on the Internet and this is affecting one's relationship, productivity at work or school and if one is spending a lot of money on these activities. In addition, the forming of relationships with strangers can be dangerous.
HOW TO DEAL WITH INTERNET ADDICTION?
1. Moderation is the key. Whatever we do should be done in moderation, and we should strike a happy balance in life.
2. Identify your triggers and try to avoid the people, places and things that may trigger your addiction.
3. Seek professional help if you find that your behaviour is getting out of control.
You may call 922- 3216 to get help on Internet addiction. Group counselling is also available.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer, University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
