Internet Use Addiction is now classified as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-V). People in society today have become so reliant on the internet that this should come as no surprise. However, the questions on the minds of many are how to know if you are addicted and how this addiction would be treated.
People who are considered addicted to the internet will experience preoccupation with the internet or internet gaming, withdrawal symptoms when the internet is no longer available, the need to spend more and more time on the internet, loss of other interests, unsuccessful attempts to quit, and use of the internet to improve or escape a bad mood. People who are forced to use the internet for work or school purposes should not worry unless these symptoms present themselves.
Treatment for this addiction is not as simple as getting a prescription and taking a medication. Psychologists have determined that the best way to treat this addiction is through the use of cognitive behavior therapy. This treatment teaches people to replace their current thought and behavior patterns with more positive thoughts and behaviors. This can be a long and difficult process for internet addicts, but the results are well worth it. If using the internet is taking priority over more important aspects of life, consider seeking cognitive behavior therapy.
By: Lauren Keyser