| How
to spot an internet addict? Are you one of the victims? Let
us check it out.
Individuals who are afflicted usually spend excessive time
while online. This happens subconsciously as internet addicts
feel a sense of euphoria and exhilaration when they are steeped
in the highly interactive activities online. As a result,
they lose track of time and only to realize the fact that
several hours have passed when they log off from the internet.Some
of them may feel a tinge of guilt for wasting so time online
and they may take efforts to quit or cut down on internet
usage. Unfortunately, they end up with are failed attempts
to reduce of time spent online. Worse of all is that they
would experience increasing tolerance of spending more time
online, just like any other case of addiction, as they cannot
get enough of the engaging activities online and hence, we
can observe that they go online everyday without fail.
As internet addicts spend ever-increasing amounts of time
online, they would isolate themselves from their family and
friends most of the time. They would also go out less often,
spend less and less time on meals at home or at work and eating
in front of the monitor and neglect their responsibilities.
More
often than not, internet addicts’ work efficiency decline
as they are preoccupied with the Internet even though there
is a huge workload and they stay late at work or school to
use the internet. Other signs include making increasing number
of errors and mistakes leading to a drop in quality of their
work. However, they still get stuck on the Internet even though
they are facing the threat of retrenchment and being expelled.
Lying
to their bosses and family members on the amount of time they
spent on the computer and what activities they do while online
are the common acts that internet addicts are guilty of. They
may express feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability
and anger when other people interrupt them when their online
but their mood improves when they are back online. When someone
tries to stop them from using the Internet, they would defend
their right to use the Internet as much as desired and show
apathy towards people’s admonishment on their addiction
to the Internet.
Sneaking online with a sense of relief when family members
are not at home is also a symptom of internet addiction disorder.
When not online, Internet addicts would experience withdrawal
symptoms like tremors, irritability, and anxiety about what
they’re missing online, dreaming about the Internet,
and possibly even making typing movements with their fingers.
Internet
is also used by internet addicts as an outlet to escape reality.
When these addicts are in a dysphoric mood, they would use
the Internet to avoid their inner feelings as they zone out
from reality. Internet addicts also use Internet for sexual
gratification and, thus, putting relationships at risk due
to their dependence on cybersex. Others may start developing
the habit of online gambling or e-shopping leading to financial
problems.
Forming cyber relationships with strangers met online is also
a sign of internet addiction. An internet addict would feel
more tired and irritable and also loses interest in activities
that were enjoyable before Internet was not part of his or
her life.
Additional symptoms of internet addiction disorder are Carpal
tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, migraines, backaches, skipping
meals, neglecting personal hygiene, losing sleeping to go
online and racing thoughts.
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