When the Internet becomes a problem

The use of technology represents a great communication potential today. It is a creative and educational tool; However, its use in excess can carry risks and consequences.

The behaviors that are generated in people with Internet addiction can interfere with the physical and mental well-being of the affected person and their environment; family, friends and co-workers.

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Internet Addictive Disorder

The so-called Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is characterized by the time of prolonged use in mostly playful internet activities and with high frequency in children and adolescents. Affected people spend hours in front of the computer browsing the Internet, neglecting other aspects of life to the point of generating an addiction.

On the other hand, an addiction appears when it is not possible to control the behavior towards something, and it appears chronically and creating dependency, and there is a pathological search for the specific reward that produces dependence

. Some of the most frequent are: addiction to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography and gambling.

In the case of Internet Addictive Disorder, people spend most of the day using social networks, instant messaging, or in the most frequent cases, with online games and video game. In more severe cases they can lose track of time and realityThey even become immersed in the identity of a character.

Furthermore, these Internet users they constantly worry about being connected and they lie about the time they spend online browsing the Internet or doing any other online activity. This leads to social isolation, physical problems such as back pain, headaches, and weight gain due to extreme sedentary lifestyle.

TAI can be associated with other addictions such as drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or sex. Also a relationship has been found to other disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders and attention deficit. Other physical problems are visual problems, headache, back pain, etc.

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General symptoms

In internet addiction impulse control difficulty predominates, and the following is valued:

1. Overuse

It is associated with the loss of time or neglect of the most fundamental needs.

2. Abstinence

Includes feelings of anger, tension, and depression when the computer or connection is inaccessible.

3. Tolerance

It includes the need for a better equipment, that is, more memory for the computer, more hours of use, equipment upgrade, etc.

4. Negative repercussions

It includes behaviors such as lying, seeking social isolation, etc.

Specific symptoms of online gaming addiction

Internet Gaming Disorder raises criteria specifically related to Internet gaming addiction. Present the following clinical criteria for evaluation and diagnosis:

• Online games become the most important activity for the person.
• Tolerance is generated, as happens with all addictions; it takes more and more time to be satisfied.
• Even if you try, you cannot stop using the Internet to play; there is lack of control.
• People are lying about the time they spend playing online, especially to family members and the health professionals involved.
• Interest in other hobbies that involve stopping gambling and adopting a less sedentary lifestyle is lost.
• A state of irritability and anger arises when you have not played for a long time.
• You tend to lose meaningful social relationships, as well as opportunities to have a job or start projects.

Treatment

In most cases, people with addiction do not undergo any treatment. However, those who manage to ask for help improve their quality of life significantly. Addictions are addressed in a multidisciplinary way, psychological therapy is an essential factor in the intervention. Each person requires an individualized help plan for their case.

The objective is restore and improve each of the important areas of life, physical and mental health, family relationships, social contexts, work and all environments damaged by addiction.

In this way, it seeks to achieve increased impulse control, improved self-esteem, greater recognition and regulation of emotions, and obtain coping strategies and tools to prevent relapse.

On the other hand, it is very important supervise the use of the Internet by minors, as well as being interested in knowing what the children do at school, with whom they interact, what activities they carry out outside and inside the home, etc.

It is appropriate to worry about the sites they visit on the Internet, the people with whom they communicate on the network and the degree of knowledge in technological aspects that they have. As with television, children tend to get hooked and abuse the use of technologies if they are not helped to manage time.