There are many addictions out there, but most people relate addiction only to drugs. In reality, people can develop addictions to nearly anything that brings them joy, including activities. For that reason, some of them have shopping, gambling and internet addictions. However, is internet addiction real, and what are internet addiction symptoms?
What Is Internet Addiction?
The internet plays an important role in everyday life for most people. It’s common for them to shop, bank and play games online. With the growth of social media sites, they interact with their friends online more than they do in real life. Since society emphasizes online connections too, it’s no wonder why people develop internet addiction.
People who struggle with internet addiction are excessive when it comes to integrating the internet into their everyday lives. In most cases, they prefer interacting with others online over real-life interactions. However, is internet addiction a real disorder?
It really depends on who people ask. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) doesn’t officially recognize it. On the other hand, its unofficial recognition doesn’t mean that it isn’t a disorder.
The American Psychiatric Association updates the DSM with changes, including the removal and inclusion of disorders. It released the fifth edition of the DSM in 2013. Just because internet addiction isn’t in there yet doesn’t mean that it won’t make it in at a later date.
On the other hand, most psychologists treat internet addiction is as a real condition. Some even think that it affects up to 38% of the population. Of course, one reason is that people have access to the internet even on the go thanks to mobile phones. In some cases, they check their phones on an almost obsessive basis.
Internet Addiction Symptoms
How do people spot internet addiction in others? Before they can seek a process addiction treatment program, they have to know that there’s a problem. Some of the most common internet addiction symptoms include:
- Depression
- A feeling of euphoria while online
- Avoiding work to spend time online
- Isolation
- Anxiety
- No sense of time or losing track of time while online
Like any other addiction, internet addiction isn’t something that people can address on their own. It’s important that they seek professional treatment. Most rehab centers that offer treatment for internet addiction call it process addiction treatment.
It can help people who struggle with internet, gaming and teen social media addiction. In fact, many of these addictions go hand in hand. A teen who struggles with one is likely to have problems with another. Thankfully, parents can get their teens the help that they need to kick this bad habit to the curb.
Don’t Lose Your Teen to the Internet
Having internet addiction symptoms can really stunt a teen’s growth. It can keep him or her from interacting with friends, finishing school or getting a job. Thankfully, a rehab center can help teens overcome this problem. Besides process addiction treatment, look for a rehab center that also offers programs such as:
- Intensive outpatient rehab
- Group and individual therapies
- Holistic treatment
- Continued education
- Trauma therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Don’t let the internet destroy your teen or bring him or her harm. Learn more about identifying internet addiction symptoms in your teen. Find a rehab center today that can help.