Free articles
Google
Web www.media13.com


Media13.com is a source of free to republish or reprint articles, writers may submit your articles in our database as long so you agree that your article will be freely republish or reprint by other.


Submit Article

Search our database

Received article from us.

Name

Email Address

Friends

Bollywood News
Link building
Article submission service
Freelance Writers
Laser hair removal

We have been looking for freelance writers. Contact us

 


Internet Addiction Disorder: a Review (Part 1)   by Ms. Aditi Singh, M.A. (Psychology), M. Phil. (Medical & Social Psychology)



<strong>What is Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)</strong>?

The World Wide Web is informative, convenient, and fun. There are varying opinions on the subject of Internet addiction. Recent reports indicate that some on-line users are becoming addicted to the Internet in the similar way that others became addicted to drugs, alcohol, or gambling, which resulted in academic failure (1,2), reduced work performance (3) and even marital discord and separation (4). As the Internet increasingly becomes part of our lives, Internet addiction disorder has received much attention. The term Internet Addiction Disorder was coined by psychiatrist Ivan Goldberg. Those who are addicted to Internet may withdraw from social and interpersonal interactions other than those on the Internet. Their family relationships and academic or occupational functioning may deteriorate.

<strong>Internet Addiction Disorder: Myth or Reality?</strong>

Do some people have problems with spending too much time online? Sure they do. Some people also spend too much time reading, watching television, and working, and ignore family, friendships, and social activities. But do we have TV addiction disorder, book addiction, and work addiction being suggested as legitimate mental disorders in the same category as schizophrenia and depression? While many believe the term addiction should only be applied to cases involving chemical substance (5,6); similar diagnostic criteria have been applied to a number of problem behaviors such as pathological gambling (7,8,9) eating disorders (10, 11), sexual addictions (12), generic technological addictions (13), and video game addiction (14,15,16,17).

Like all other addictions, Internet addiction is a psychophysiological disorder involving tolerance (the same amount of usage elicits less response; increased amounts become necessary to evoke the same amount of pleasure), withdrawal symptoms (especially, tremors, anxiety, and moodiness), affective disturbances (depression, irritability), and interruption of social relationships (a decline or loss, either in quality or quantity). Due to the nature of Internet Addiction Disorder, of all other addictions, it is said to be closest to pathological gambling.

<strong>Diagnostic Criteria</strong>

A maladaptive pattern of Internet use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period, is all that is required to diagnose a person as having Internet Addiction Disorder:


(I) tolerance, as defined by either of the following:

(A) A need for markedly increased amounts of time on Internet to achieve satisfaction

(B) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time on Internet

(II) Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following


(A) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome

(1) Cessation of (or reduction) in Internet use that has been heavy and prolonged.

(2) Two (or more) of the following, developing within several days to a month after Criterion 1:

(a) Psychomotor agitation

(b) Anxiety

(c) Obsessive thinking about what is happening on Internet

(d) Fantasies or dreams about Internet

(e) Voluntary or involuntary typing movements of the fingers

(3) The symptoms in Criterion B cause distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important other area of functioning

(B) Use of Internet or a similar on-line service is engaged in to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

(III) Internet is often accessed more often or for longer periods of time than was intended

(IV) There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control Internet use

(V) A great deal of time is spent in activities related to Internet use (e.g., buying Internet books, trying out new browsers, researching Internet vendors, organizing files of downloaded materials

(VI) Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of Internet use.

(VII) Internet use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical, social, occupational, or psychological problem that is likely to be caused or exacerbated by Internet use (18) (sleep deprivation, marital difficulties, lateness for early morning appointments, neglect of occupational duties, or feelings of abandonment in significant others).

<strong>What Makes the Internet So Addictive?</strong>

Given the recent surge in access to information technologies (19), we have a new generation of diverse computer users. Internet itself is not addictive, but, perhaps specific applications play a significant role in the development of Internet abuse. Secondly, internet users report a sense of excitement while using the Internet, which can be paralleled to the `high` experienced when people become addicted to video games (16) or gambling (7). This implies that the level of excitement experienced by the on-line users while engaged in the Internet may be associated with addictive use of the Internet.

Since the aspects of the Internet where people are spending the greatest amount of time online have to do with social interactions, it would appear that socialization is also one of the factors what makes the Internet so `addicting.` Whether it`s via e-mail, a discussion forum, chat, or a game online, people are spending time in exchanging information, support, and chit-chat with other people like themselves (20). On the other hand, the type of application utilized by the on-line user may also be associated with the development of Internet abuse.

<strong>Who Are Internet Addicts?</strong>

In the first concentrated study of the social and psychological effects of Internet use at home, researchers have found that people who spend even a few hours a week online experience higher levels of depression and loneliness than they would have if they used the computer network less frequently (21). On the other hand if we analyze Internet addiction in terms of behaviour, it is found that most people who think they are addicted are probably suffering from the desire to not to deal with other problems in their lives. Those problems may be a mental disorder (depression, anxiety, etc.), a serious health problem or disability or a relationship problem. It is no different than turning on the TV so you won`t have to talk to your spouse, or going `out with the boys` for a few drinks so you don`t have to spend time at home. Nothing is different except the modality.

An alternative hypothesis has been given by Dr. John M. Grohol (20). It mentions that the behaviors we are observing are phasic. Most people with `Internet addiction,` are likely newcomers to the Internet. They are going through the first stage of acclimating themselves to a new environment -- by fully immersing themselves in it. Since this environment is so much larger than anything they have ever seen before, some people get `stuck` in the acclimation (or enchantment) stage for a longer period of time than is typical for acclimating to new technologies, products, or services.

(References are included in part 2 of the article)

Author Info:

Ms. Aditi Singh, M.A. (Psychology), M. Phil. (Medical & Social Psychology) is a Ph. D. Scholar at Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, India. She is an editor of www.mind.in and a contributor to www.psyplexus.com .


Latest 20 articles

Most Common California Overtime Law Violations – Find Out Now! Before discussing the California overtime law, it’s important to know who is eligible to receive overtime. There are two types of employees: “exempt” and “non-exempt”. Exempt employees are often referred to as salaried employees and non- exempt employees are often referred to as hourly employees. However, an employee may be salaried and still be considered non-exempt and entitled to overtime. Exem

Attention IT Pros: The California New Overtime Law – What’s the Impact? California overtime laws were created to protect the California workforce and ensure an employee’s standard of living with a reasonable work week schedule. In keeping with this “reasonable” work week concept, there were also strict guidelines for California overtime wages established to protect California employees. In general, under California overtime laws, if a non-exempt employee works more th

Lush Lawns, The professional Way Are you one of those people who give more importance to internal beauty that superficial appearance? Well, while it may be a good thought talking so about individuals, when it comes to your abode the idea needs correction. Picture this. Your new house looks beautiful complete with the designed interiors and great furniture, but the area outside is nothing but an eyesore. It will definitely kill th

Discipline Your Pet in a Ziffy We all love pets, don’t we? Having a pet is therapeutic; it not only entertains and alleviates worries but also makes up for a very good companion. Playing with the pet is soothing and scientists vouch for the unlimited benefits, both physical and psychological a human receives by being with a pet. Having a pet teaches the children the virtues of caring and sharing, and instills in them a sens

Underground fencing to keep your Pet In A pet is a cute addition to a family and brings about a new zeal to life. Playing with the pet is one of the biggest stress busters, and alleviates worries like nothing else. It also makes up for a good and faithful companion along with doubling up as a playmate for the kids. However, just as the pet brings joy and happiness to our lives, we must also ensure that it is taken care of. Keeping a pe

Train Your Dog the way Vets recommend Pets are perhaps one of the most cherished companions by kids and adults alike. They are not just cute but also therapeutic for the nerve-calming effect they have on people. The safety factor that a pet such as dog provides cannot be overlooked. Pets are selfless creatures; however keeping one requires maintenance and keeping up to the regime to keep the pet healthy and safe. This is because when

Dog Trainer in Your Lawn! Are you one of those proud pet owners who can go any lengths to ensure the safety and well being of your pet? If you own a pet you must be concerned about its health and lifestyle. Having a pet can bring about positive changes in the lives of the family members, but it also becomes the responsibility of the owners to look after the needs of the pet. Many pet owners commit the mistake of keeping th

Dog Trainer in Your Lawn! Are you one of those proud pet owners who can go any lengths to ensure the safety and well being of your pet? If you own a pet you must be concerned about its health and lifestyle. Having a pet can bring about positive changes in the lives of the family members, but it also becomes the responsibility of the owners to look after the needs of the pet. Many pet owners commit the mistake of keeping th

California Employee Break Laws: Know Your Rights! All over the United States, as well as in the State of California, Americans began developing labor laws during the industrial age to set standards of what was acceptable in the work place. During this time in our country, child labor and 16 hour days without breaks were commonplace. As time progressed, workers began to stand up for their rights in their workplace, fostering the progress that has

California Exemptions: Are you REALLY Exempt from Overtime Pay? One of the most common and often expensive mistakes an employer can make is to misclassify their employees as being exempt from overtime, if they are, in fact, non exempt employees by law. Exempt employees are often referred to as salaried employees and in very basic terms it means that the employee is therefore is not eligible for overtime. California labor law addresses what criteria are necess

Pet Stuff Warehouse - Your home for all your pet supplies Dogs are a joy to have at home. It feels so good to come home to a cute little fur ball who loves you unconditionally and asks so little in return. Playing with our dogs is not only fun, but it also eases the stress of the day and makes us feel happier. But besides being fun to play with, a pet dog is also our responsibility and it is your duty as his owner to provide him with best possible car

When You Need California Brain Injury Lawyers: SUV Rollovers and Truck Crashes! It is well known fact that California has a substantial amount of traffic and that motor vehicle accidents occur daily. What might not come to mind immediately is that a good portion of those accidents involve SUV’s and Big Rig trucks. These SUV crashes or truck crashes often times result in injury. The NHTSA reported that there were 5,987,000 non fatal accidents in 2007; of which 2,491,000 of tho

IRS Offer in Compromise – Can It Solve Your IRS Tax Debt Problems? Taking on IRS tax debt is a daunting task that presents many confusing issues. The majority of taxpayers are aware of the option to pay their IRS tax debt in full or pay the tax debt in monthly payments or installments. But there is another option, the IRS “Offer in Compromise.” Knowing the steps to success with an IRS Offer in Compromise, also commonly called IRS tax settlement is important, bec

IRS Tax Debt Settlement Help – When You Need Expert Tax Debt Help With the recent downturn in the economy, Americans find themselves not only facing unsecured credit card debt problems, and difficulties handling their home and vehicle loans, but oftentimes unable to pay their IRS taxes in a timely manner. There is IRS tax debt help available to anyone who finds they owe money for back income taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. The federal government offers

Hidden Dog Fence for your dog Almost everyone who has a pet at home knows value of added exercise and the troublesome task of confining him within the boundaries of their own property. This task is especially difficult with dogs as they take it as a personal challenge to try and defy the fence boundaries. However, you can train your dog to respect his boundaries with the help of an invisible, underground wired dog fence /

Top Dog Containment Solution to make you Worry Free Is your dog driving you crazy? Are you sick of listening to your neighbors’ complaints about your dog running around in their yard? Then you are not alone; almost every pet owner suffers with this problem. Often they confine their dogs to the house due to fears that their dog may wander away. This is a valid fear, as dogs, especially the ones who are new to the house or have not been trained prope

Outdoor Services in Virginia A front lawn is the face of a house and no matter how beautifully you have decorated your house, if your lawn is not beautiful then all your efforts will be useless. It is very important to take care of your lawn because, as it is said, “the first impression is the last impression”. For most people, lawn care is a very tedious task. Most people don’t have the time or energy to spend hours in th

Hidden Dog Fence – Perfect Dog Containment Solution Does your dog refuse to listen to you? Are you tired of telling your dog to not go outside the confines of your house? Does chaining or locking up your dog makes you feel guilty? Is your dog ruining the interior of your house because you cannot let him go in the yard because you are afraid to let him out? Then stop worrying! The perfect solution for all these problems is here. There is a pet co

Debt Settlement: Your Bankruptcy Alternative? There are several different paths you can travel to achieve effective credit card debt reduction and pursue living a debt free life. The method which will be covered here is called debt settlement, and there are numerous debt settlement services to choose from if you determine this is the “debt recovery path” you are going to take. Credit card debt settlement is a credit card debt reduction solu

Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyers Assist California Motorcycle Accidents Victims Last year over 6,686,147 motorcycles were registered within the United States and the number of registrants has been steadily increasing by at least 7% each year since 2003 according to the NHTSA. Consequently the NHTSA also reported that nation wide last year there were 103,000 motorcycle injuries that did not result in a fatality and California has the second highest motorcycle fatality rate in

Categories
Acne
Advertising
Advice
Aerobics-Cardio
Affiliate Programs
Alternative
Arts
Attraction
Auctions
Audio-Streaming
Autos
Awards
Babies-Toddler
Beauty
Blogging-RSS
Book-Marketing
Branding
Breast-Cervical-Ovarian-Cancer
Broadband-Internet
Build-Muscle
Business
Cancer
Careers-Employment
Casino-Gambling
CGI
Coaching
Coffee
College-University
Colon-Rectal-Cancer
Communications
Computers
Cooking-Tips
Copywriting
Crafts-Hobbies
Creativity
Credit
Cruising-Sailing
CSS
Currency-Trading
Customer-Service
Dating
Debt-Consolidation
Debt-Relief
DHTML
Diabetes
Direct Mail
Divorce
Domain Names
EBooks
ECommerce
Education
Elder-Care
Email-Marketing
Email Entertainment
Entrepreneurialism
Environment
Exercise
Ezine-Marketing
Ezine-Publishing
Family
Finance
Fishing
Fitness
Food
Free
Games
Gardening
Goal-Setting
Golf
Government
Grief-Loss
Hair-Loss
Happiness
Hardware
Health
Hobbies
Holidays
Home-Security
Homes
Home Business
Home Repair
HTML
Humanities
Humor
Innovation
Inspirational
Interior-Decorating
Internet-Marketing
Javascript
Kids And Teens
Landscaping-Gardening
Law
Leadership
Leases-Leasing
Legal
Leukemia
Link Popularity
Loans
Lung-Cancer
Lymphoma-Cancer
Management
Marketing
Marriage-Wedding
Martial-Arts
Medicine
Meditation
Men's-Issues
Metaphysical
MLM
Mobile-Cell-Phone
Mortgage-Refinance
Motivational
Multimedia
Music
Negotiation
Network-Marketing
Networking
News-and-Society
Newsletters
Nutrition
Off-Line Promotion
Online Business
Online Promotion
Organizing
Other
Outdoors
Page Rank
Parenting
Personal-Tech
Pets
Photography
Podcasting
Poetry
Politics
Positive-Attitude
PPC-Advertising
Presentation
Prostate-Cancer
Psychology
Public-Speaking
Publishing
Real-Estate
Recipes
Recreation
Reference
Relationships
Religion
Sales
Sales-Management
Sales-Teleselling
Sales-Training
Satellite-Radio
Satellite-TV
Scams
Science
Security
Self Help
Self Improvement
Sexuality
SE Optimization SE Positioning
SE Tactics
Shopping
Site-Promotion
Site Security
Skin-Cancer
Small-Business
Social Issues
Society
Software
Spam
Spirituality
Sports
Stocks-Mutual-Funds
Strategic-Planning
Stress-Management
Structured-Settlements
Success
Supplements
Taxes
Team-Building
Technology
Teleseminars
Time-Management
Traffic-Building
Traffic Analysis
Travel
Uterine-Cancer
Vacation-Rentals
Video-Conferencing
Video-Streaming
Viral Marketing
VOIP
Web-Development
Webmasters
Web Design
Web Hosting
Weight Loss
Wine-Spirits
Women
Writing
Yoga

Copyright © media13.Com  2005. All Rights Reserved.

Sources : SEO India - Internet web directory