By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    headphones can create health problems
    The Harmful Health Effects of Using Headphones
    September 24, 2021
    Headache causes
    4 Causes Of Headache You Probably Didn’t Know About
    December 28, 2021
    follow these steps to recover from your injury
    What Steps Should You Take to Recover More Quickly from an Injury?
    April 12, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    wellness centers massage spa
    How Wellness Centers Can Turn it Up a Notch to Drive Business
    February 5, 2021
    Bone Marrow Donation and Compensation: My Moral Dilemma
    December 11, 2013
    healthcare jobs without a bachelors degree
    6 Amazing Healthcare Careers That Don’t Require A Bachelor’s Degree
    January 8, 2021
    Latest News
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Online Addiction: Types and Treatment
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Technology > Online Addiction: Types and Treatment
Technology

Online Addiction: Types and Treatment

James Wilson
Last updated: May 10, 2018 8:25 pm
James Wilson
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
Different Types of Internet OveruseTreatment for Internet Addiction

Internet addiction has been widely covered by the media, especially in regards to the younger generation but internet overuse can take different types and forms and it concerns everyone.

Different Types of Internet Overuse

A part of the debate concerns whether internet addiction is a disorder in itself or is it is a series of compulsive behaviors such as gaming addiction, social networking, online shopping, gambling or porn addiction. Different groups of the population show a variety of symptoms that are linked to internet overuse.

Social media growth has been impressive by any standards and a part of its user-base spends more and more hours using social media features. Facebook addiction, among others, has taken such proportions that some teenagers now choose to deactivate their accounts to escape its overuse, according to a New York Times article.

More Read

On the Road Again for Cancer Connections
3 Major Technologies Providers Need for Population Health Management
Interview with Jim Welch, EVP, Sotera Wireless
How House Calls have revolutionized the Healthcare Industry
Best Practices to Ensure Healthcare Mobile App Security

Online gambling addiction is considered by many psychologists to be potentially harmful, as “the availability of internet gambling may draw individuals who seek out isolated and anonymous contexts for their gambling behaviors,” according to Psychologists Dr. George Ladd and Dr. Nancy Petry, of the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Even though it doesn’t have a status as a disorder yet, there have been people who filed lawsuits claiming that their internet addiction makes them eligible for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act. James Pacenza, an IBM employee who was terminated for visiting a sex-chat at work sued the company for wrongful termination. He asks for $5 million because he claims that he suffers from an addiction to pornography that is linked to his Vietnam War post-traumatic stress disorder.

Even if he is unlikely to win, this might be only the beginning, as more people are worried that they suffer from some form of internet addiction and they ask for help.

Treatment for Internet Addiction

Dr. Kimberly Young, who has extensively researched internet addiction, is the director of the  Internet Addiction Recovery center in Bradford. The Center claims that internet addiction is a growing epidemic and has become a serious public health concern in many countries.

Dr. Young developed the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire to diagnose the disorder that includes the following questions:

  1. Do you feel preoccupied with the internet (think about previous online activity or anticipate next online session)?
  2. Do you feel the need to use the internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
  3. Did you repeatedly make unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop internet use?
  4. Do you feel moody, depressed, restless, or irritable when attempting to stop or cut down on internet use?
  5. Do you stay connected longer than originally intended?
  6. Have you risked the loss of significant relationship, job, career or educational opportunity because of the use of internet?
  7. Have you lied to therapist, family members, or others to hide the extent of your involvement with the internet?
  8. Do you use the internet as a way toescape from problems or relieve a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of guilt, helplessness,depression, anxiety…)?

Other signs include losing track of time online, having trouble completing other tasks and feeling guilty over the time spent on the internet. An internet addict may suffer from malnutrition, poor body posture or lack of exercise, depression, difficulty sleeping and withdrawal symptoms.

Counseling sessions are provided in the Center, as well as other similar places that treat internet and computer addicts. Most of these counseling programs are in the USA but they are also popular in Asian countries like Taiwan and South Korea. Capio Nightingale Hospital, in central London, recently launched the first Young Person Technology Addiction Service, to help teenagers who are addicted to technology and their parents.

Therapists often analyze the triggers of compulsive internet use in order to make users aware of them in an attempt to eliminate them. People who suffer from internet overuse or addiction are encouraged to make a list of alternative activities and interests that they will follow. They set realistic goals in order to reduce internet use and increase off-screen social activities, while exploring ways to boost their confidence.

Finally, there are softwares available that can monitor how much time one spends on the internet and limit the websites that can be visited.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By James Wilson
James is a freelance writer and blogger. He loves to write on wellness, tech and E-Health.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025
from gut to glow
From Plate to Wellness: How Everyday Foods Nourish Your Body Inside and Out
Dental health Infographics Specialties
June 15, 2025
beyond nutrition
Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
Health Infographics
June 15, 2025
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
How TMS Therapy Helps with Treatment-Resistant Mental Illness
Mental Health Therapies
June 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Innovative Ways for Older Americans to be Never too Old to Play

May 27, 2012

Amnestix Develops Genetic Analysis System

April 25, 2011

mHealth Summit Conference 2011: Thoughts and Takeaways

December 7, 2011
Image
eHealthNewsTechnology

Telemedicine Coming Soon to a Pharmacy Near You: HealthSpot

May 17, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?