ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?

INTERNET
ADDICTION

Prepared by:
The Legendary April Torres
palamos
Internet addiction
disorder (IAD), also
known
as problematic
Internet
use or pathological
Internet use, is
excessive Internet
use that interferes
with daily life.
 As adolescents (12–17 years) and emerging adults (18–29 years)
access the Internet more than any other age groups and undertake
a higher risk of overuse of the Internet, the problem of Internet
addiction disorder is most relevant to young people
Coping with life's stresses. Internet addiction is becoming widely
recognized and acknowledged, particularly in countries where it
is affecting large numbers of people, such as South Korea, where
it has been declared a national health problem. Much of the
current research on the subject of Internet addiction has been
carried out in Asia.It is also a growing concern in developed
nations in North America and Europe.
• China
Internet addiction is commonly referred to as
"electronic opium" or "electronic heroin" in
China. The government of the People's Republic
of China is the first country to formally classify
Internet addiction a clinical disorder by
recognizing Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for
Internet Addiction in 2008.
 South Korea
• Being almost universally connected to the Internet and boasting online
gaming as a professional sport, South Korea deems Internet addiction
one of the most serious social issues and describes it as a "national
crisis”.
• And because of the Internet addiction, so many tragedies happened in
South Korea: A mother, tired of playing online games, killed her 3-year-
old son.
• In 2011, the Korean government introduced the “Shutdown law”, also
known as the “Cinderella Act”, to prevent children under 16 years old
from playing online games from midnight (12:00) to 6 a.m.
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
INCLUDE A
WEAKENED IMMUNE
SYSTEM DUE TO LACK
OF SLEEP. LOSS OF
EXERCISE, INCREASED
RISK FOR CARPEL
TUNNEL SYNDROME
AND EYE AND BACK
STRAIN
 Symptoms of Internet
Addiction

As Internet addiction is not formally

recognized as an addictive disorder,
it may be difficult to get a diagnosis.
However, several leading experts in
the field of behavioral addiction have
contributed to the current knowledge
of symptoms of Internet addiction.
All types of Internet addiction
contain the following four
components:
1. Excessive Use of the Internet.
Despite the agreement that excessive
Internet use is a key symptom, no one seems
able to define exactly how much computer
time counts as excessive. While guidelines
suggest no more than two hours of screen
time per day.
2. Withdrawal

Common Internet withdrawal symptoms

include anger, tension, and depression when
Internet access is not available. These
symptoms may be perceived as boredom,
joylessness, moodiness, nervousness, and
irritability when you can’t go on the
computer.
3. Tolerance

This can be understood as wanting—and from the

user's point of view, needing—more and more
computer-related stimulation. It can take several
forms.
You might just want more time on the computer, so
it gradually takes over everything you do. Or you
might want more technology—bigger, better or the
latest software, hardware or gadgets.
4. Negative Repercussions

You may see your grades and other achievements

suffer from so much of your attention being devoted
to Internet use. You may also have little energy for
anything other than computer use—Internet addicts
are often exhausted from staying up too late on the
computer and becoming sleep deprived.
Next Steps to Consider
If you recognize the symptoms of Internet addiction in
yourself or someone in your care, talk to your doctor
about getting help. As well as being able to provide
referrals to Internet addiction clinics, psychologists, and
other therapists, your doctor can prescribe medications
or therapy to treat an underlying problem if you have
one, such as depression or social anxiety disorder.
 Cell phone addiction may not be
formally recognized, but for many
people, the thought of not having their
cell phone is impossible. As we
become more and more dependent on
cell phones to connect with others,
organize our time, and track down
information, it can seem hard to cope
without

So what should you do when you want to disconnect

from your cell phone and find it difficult?
These tips can help:
 1. Meet Face to Face
Whether for business or pleasure, arrange
to meet in person rather than relying on
the ease of texting or talking on the
phone. Replace your cell phone with face
to face communication.
 2. Choose Real Over Virtual Experiences
Make a conscious choice to have real rather than
virtual experiences. Instead of checking
the internet for information, head to the library and
pick up a book. Instead of playing video games, join a
team or a chess club. Get out to see live entertainers,
rather than viewing everything online.
 3. Save the Bedroom for Sleep

A central component of good sleep habits,

keeping your bedroom for sleep , and leaving
your cell phone in another room of the house
will not only improve your sleep quality. It will
reduce the likelihood that texting and phoning
will encroach on your personal time.
4. Value the Empty Spaces in Your Day

The empty spaces are important for being

comfortable with yourself, and the process
of just being, which is an important part of
mental wellness. Practicing mindfulness
can help.
 5. Set Your Own Limits
Instead of automatically thinking your should have
your cell phone to hand at all times, set limits around
when you will or will not look at it. Deliberately leave
it out of reach when you would really rather focus on
some other part of your experience. You can always
return calls or reply to emails later.
Psychosocial Treatment:
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Reality Therapy
• Naikan Cognitive Psychotherapy
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Multimodal Psychotherapy
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
• Pharmacologic Therapy