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.