Warning Signs of Internet Addiction

How often do you spend more time online than you meant to? If your answer is “a lot,” you’re not alone. In a study of U.S. college students, published in BMC Medicine, two-thirds said they frequently stayed online longer than intended.

Of course, there are many valid reasons for spending extra time online: studying, working, socializing, and reading articles such as this one, to name a few. But for 4 percent of students in the study, out-of-control Internet use was causing problems in their daily lives.

Is Internet Addiction Real?

Some people show a pattern of uncontrollable, self-destructive Internet use that looks remarkably similar to compulsive gambling or drug dependence. Internet addiction isn’t an officially recognized diagnosis yet. But some experts have lobbied for its inclusion in DSM-5, the forthcoming update of the standard diagnostic guide used by mental health professionals.

Not everyone is convinced that Internet addiction is a distinct condition. Some believe Internet overuse is just a symptom of other psychological disorders. Numerous studies have shown that problematic Internet use is more common in people with depression, social anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and substance abuse.

Watch out for these 10 signs of adult ADD/ADHD.

Not Just in Their Minds

On the other hand, there’s good evidence that some Internet users behave a lot like addicts. They feel unable to control their Internet use, even when it starts interfering with work, school, home life, and personal relationships. Some try repeatedly to cut back their online time, but they can’t seem to stay away from the Internet for long.

There may even be a physiological basis for Internet cravings. In a recent study, researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences used MRI to scan the brains of 18 teens and young adults classified as having Internet addiction. Compared to healthy controls, the Internet addicts showed impairment in white matter fibers of the brain connecting regions involved in decision making, cognitive control, and emotional processing.

Learn how to improve your brain health.

Red Flags to Watch For

Wherever experts fall on the addiction debate, most agree that spending too much time online can wreak havoc in a person’s offline life. How do you know if your own Internet use has crossed the line from extensive to excessive? Below are 10 warning signs to watch for:

• Neglecting responsibilities to spend more time online
• Seeing work deteriorate or grades fall as a result
• Jeopardizing offline relationships to stay online
• Losing track of time frequently while on the Internet
• Acting defensive or secretive about Internet use
• Being preoccupied with the Internet even when offline
• Using the Internet to escape problems or relieve a bad mood
• Losing sleep because of late nights on the Internet
• Trying unsuccessfully to cut back on Internet time
• Feeling restless or cranky when unable to go online

If your Internet use is causing serious problems in your daily life, consider discussing the issue with a therapist or counselor.

Read up on the basics of addiction.

——————————

Get the information you need to improve your health and wellness on Healthline.com.

Tour the Body in 3D. View multiple layers of the human anatomy.

Migraine Learning Center. Learn about the disorder characterized by chronic, severe headaches of intense throbbing or pulsating pain.

Understanding Schizophrenia. Learn to understand the myths and symptoms of this complicated disorder.

Treat Psoriasis at Home. Follow these helpful tips to manage your condition every day.

3D Map of Human Lungs. Learn about one of the hardest working organs in the human body.

More Resources: Tips for Relieving Stress...Gaming and Technology...Internet Addiction Disorder