ARTICLE SU
ARTICLE SUMMARYMMARY:- INTERNET ADDICTIO:- INTERNET ADDICTION: SN: SYMPTOMS, EYMPTOMS, EVVALUAALUATIONTION AND TREATMENT
AND TREATMENT
This article tell us about internet addiction is a new mental health disease and the This article tell us about internet addiction is a new mental health disease and the clinicians still unaware about it. Thus, this article is going to facilitate the clinicians to clinicians still unaware about it. Thus, this article is going to facilitate the clinicians to under
understand stand thorothoroughlughly y about the about the interninternet et addictaddiction.ion. ThThe e arartiticlcle e wiwill ll fifirst rst fofocucus s on on ththee complications of diagnosis of Internet addiction. Second, the negative consequences of such complications of diagnosis of Internet addiction. Second, the negative consequences of such Internet abuse are explored. Third, how to properly assess and identify triggers causing the Internet abuse are explored. Third, how to properly assess and identify triggers causing the onset of
onset of pathopathologiclogical al InternInternet use et use are discussed. Fourthare discussed. Fourth, a , a numnumber of ber of recoverecovery strategies arery strategies are presented.
presented. Lastly, Lastly, since since Internet Internet addiction addiction is is an an emergent emergent disorder, disorder, implications implications for for futurefuture practice are presented.
practice are presented.
COMPLICATIONS IN DIAGNOSING INTERNET ADDICTION COMPLICATIONS IN DIAGNOSING INTERNET ADDICTION
First and foremost,
First and foremost, the concept of the concept of internet addiction was internet addiction was introduced by ointroduced by oung in !""#ung in !""# and this concept has triggered a great debate among the scholars especially the academicians and this concept has triggered a great debate among the scholars especially the academicians and clinicians. $ne of the issues that has been debated among them was about the term and clinicians. $ne of the issues that has been debated among them was about the term %addictive& and %addiction&. Some of the scholars said that the term %addictive& can only be %addictive& and %addiction&. Some of the scholars said that the term %addictive& can only be applied if there are physical substances being consumed in one's body. (owever, many applied if there are physical substances being consumed in one's body. (owever, many believed
believed that that the the term term %addiction& %addiction& can can only only be be applied applied if if it it is is related related to to the the consumption consumption of of drugs. et, the term %addiction& has been used widely to describe a number of behaviours drugs. et, the term %addiction& has been used widely to describe a number of behaviours )e.g. gambling, overeating and playing games*
)e.g. gambling, overeating and playing games* that did not involve any cthat did not involve any consumption of drugs.onsumption of drugs. Thus, the term of %addiction& can be applied to describe any behaviour or condition and not Thus, the term of %addiction& can be applied to describe any behaviour or condition and not only confined to the consumption of drugs.
only confined to the consumption of drugs.
Furthermore, the complication to prove internet addiction arose when the internet Furthermore, the complication to prove internet addiction arose when the internet itself gives a
itself gives a lot of benefits to lot of benefits to the people. In fact, it the people. In fact, it facilitfacilitates and eases ates and eases our daily activitiour daily activities.es. For example, internet helps us to do research, to access any international libraries and etc. $n For example, internet helps us to do research, to access any international libraries and etc. $n top of that, there are many boo+s that promote internet because it gives benefits to us. (ence, top of that, there are many boo+s that promote internet because it gives benefits to us. (ence, it is difficult to recognise one who is having internet addiction and it needs the s+illed it is difficult to recognise one who is having internet addiction and it needs the s+illed clinicians to comprehend first the features of internet addiction to differentiate normal and clinicians to comprehend first the features of internet addiction to differentiate normal and internet addicts.
internet addicts.
roper diagnosis is hard to do when there are no specific features of internet addiction roper diagnosis is hard to do when there are no specific features of internet addiction that listed in -iagnostic and Statistical anual of ental -isorders / Fourth 0dition )-S/ that listed in -iagnostic and Statistical anual of ental -isorders / Fourth 0dition )-S/ I1*. Therefore, oung has established eight questions based on the criteria of pathological I1*. Therefore, oung has established eight questions based on the criteria of pathological
gambling because they are quite similar to the pathological user Internet. The eight questions are2/
!. -o you feel preoccupied with the Internet )thin+ about previous on/line activity or anticipate next on/line session*3
4. -o you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction3
5. (ave you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut bac+, or stop Internet use3
6. -o you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use3
7. -o you stay on/line longer than originally intended3
#. (ave you 8eopardi9ed or ris+ed the loss of significant relationship, 8ob, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet3
:. (ave you lied to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet3
;. -o you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood )e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression*3
atient will be considered as %addicted& if he answered %yes& five times and onwards. From these questions the clinicians can differentiate between normal and pathological user Internet addiction. (owever, the author has highlighted that the propensity of patient's denial is high because the need for him to carry out employment tas+s or academics purposes. Thus, even
though the patient has fulfilled all eight features, he can easily cover with <I need this as part of my 8ob,< <It's 8ust a machine,< or <0veryone is using it<. Therefore, the clinicians really need to comprehend all the features of internet addiction in order to identify the pathological user Internet addiction.
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF ADDICTIVE USE OF THE INTERNET
There are many negative consequences of addictive use of the internet. (owever, in this article only several negative impacts were highlighted in the aspects of familial, academics and occupational.
Familial Problm!
oung discovered about fifty/three percent of Internet addicts were involved in serious relationship problems. The Internet addicts will spend more time in front of the computer to stay online rather than spending time with the family. In fact, marriage relationships seem to be the most affected by the excessive use of the Internet. This is because the Internet addicts have the propensity to neglect all their obligations such as feeding their children and doing the house chores. =part from that, they will become grumpy
when their partner question their consumption of time in front the computer. oreover, the matrimonial lawyers found out that many cases of divorce are due to the cyber affairs. The addictive users will spend more time with their virtual partner and gradually their love towards their real life spouse will dissipate and consequently, they withdraw from the marriage in order to maintain the virtual relationship.
A"a#mi" Problm!
The Internet has been promoted as a tool that can facilitate students in their learning. (owever, one survey revealed that eighty/six percent of responding teachers, librarians, and computer coordinators believe that Internet usage by children does not improve performance. They argued that the materials in the Internet were disorgani9ed and unrelated to the school curriculum. Therefore, the Internet usage in the school did not help the student to improve their grades at all. Furthermore, oung found that fifty/eight percent of students reported a decline in study habits, a significant drop in grades, missed classes, or being placed on probation due to excessive Internet use. The students were misuse the Internet by 8oining chat rooms, playing games and etc. $n top of that, =lfred >niversity's rovost ?. @ichard $tt investigated why normally successful students with !4AA to !5AA S=Ts had recently been dismissed. (is investigation found that forty/three percent of these students failed school due to extensive patterns of late night log/on to the university computer system. This is due to the inability of students to manage their usage of the Internet. In fact, a survey initiated by counselors at the >niversity of Texas at =ustin found that of the 75! valid responses, !6B met criteria for Internet addiction. =s a result, there are many programmes that being organi9ed to increase the awareness among students about the Internet addiction.
O""$%a&io'al Problm!
The excessive usage of Internet was affected the employees. $ne survey from the nations top !,AAA companies revealed that fifty/five percent of executives believed that time surfing the Internet for non/business purposes is undermining their employees' effectiveness on the 8ob. In fact, by using the trac+ing devices, one firm has trac+ed all traffic going across its Internet connection and discovered that only twenty/three percent of the usage was business related. These results have surprised all the managers due to the massive abuse of
Internet. (ence, the Internet has been the worst distraction by many employees.
Cormally, the symptoms of Internet addiction were rarely prevailed when the clinical interview was being carried out. Therefore, the clinicians need to understand the features of Internet addiction and asses the pathological Internet use. To properly assess the Internet pathological use, the author believed that there are certain cues that ma+e the user to be addictive and the cues need to be traced bac+ through the assessment. In fact, there are four types of cue that need to be assessed.
A%%li"a&io'!
The first factor that might be influenced one to stay longer on the Internet is its application. $n the Internet, there are many applications such as chat rooms and games. In addition, the Internet addicts might obsessed with one of applications that available on the Internet and spend his excessive amount of time on it. Therefore, the clinicians need to identify which application that influenced the user and how many hours he spends on it. = deep assessment can be done with several questions li+e )a* ?hat are the applications you use on the Internet3 )b* (ow many hours per wee+ do you spend using each application3 )c* (ow would you ran+ order each application from best to least important3 and )d* ?hat do you li+e best about each application3. Dy using these questions, the clinicians can eas ily determine the pattern of applications of Internet addicts.
Emo&io'!
The second factor that triggered the addictive use of the Internet is emotion. The Internet can be an instrument for one to escape from the real problem. It gives one a pleasant, security or calm feeling when he is online. (ence, one has the tendency to +eep coming bac+ to stay on the Internet. Therefore, the clinicians should as+ <(ow do you feel when off/line3< to the Internet users and reviewed their answer whether they feel unpleasant feeling li+e unsatisfied, worried, and troubled. Then, the clinicians should as+ them <(ow do you feel when using the Internet3< and if they give positive response li+e excited, happy and thrilled, then it indicates that the user has indulged in Internet addiction. Furthermore, if the clinicians faced with the introvert user, then the clinicians can as+ the user to +eep a diary in order to +now his true feeling when he is online. These ways of assessment can help clinicians to determine the normal from the pathological Internet use.
Co('i&io'!
The third factor that triggered the excessive use of internet is cognition. The Internet addicts have more tendency to thin+ negatively or paranoia about something. In fact, they also have maladaptive cognition such as low self/esteem or insecurity about their physical
appearance. Eonsequently, they chose the Internet a mechanism to escape from their real problem. oreover, some of Internet addicts will hide their addictive towards the Internet while being treated. Thus, clinicians have to concentrate on the patients if they have deep core beliefs li+e %I am no good& or %I am a failure&. This is because these patients have higher tendency to be the Internet addicts.
Li) E*'&!
$ne that has less connections to other people or deprived of love from his loved one has the higher propensity to involve in Internet addiction. This is because he ma+es the Internet as his security blan+et to escape temporarily from his problems. Li+ewise, the alcoholic will continuously drin+ alcohol if he faced a problem but when he is sober the problem is not changed. et, he +eeps drin+ing because that habit is his escape instrument
from reality.
TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR PATHOLOGICAL INTERNET USE
The treatment for the pathological Internet use should be simple or moderate practices. It cannot be in the term of forcing or aggressive because the patients will re8ect it immediately and it is hard for them to change their habits instantly. There are several techniques to treat the patients. The techniques are )a* practice the opposite time in Internet use, )b* use external stoppers, )c* set goals, )d* abstain from a particular application, )e* use reminder cards, )f* develop a personal inventory, )g* enter a support group, and )h* family therapy. The first three techniques of treatment are including time management and the remains will be enforced later because of having a good time management only is inadequate to stop the Internet addiction.
Pra"&i" &+ O%%o!i&
ractice the opposite time in using the Internet is li+e changing the whole schedule of the Internet addicts. The clinicians should ta+e their time to +now the patients' routine in using the Internet by as+ing a set of questions such as )a* ?hat days of the wee+ do you typically log on/line3 )b* ?hat time of day do you usually begin3 )c* (ow long do you stay on during a typical session3 and )d* ?here do you usually use the computer3. $nce the clinicians get the answers and reviewed them, as+ the patients to do the opposite routine. For example, if the patients usually log/in as soon as they wa+e up, then as+ them to do anything else first li+e ta+ing the brea+fast or shower. Dy doing other activities, their time will be occupied and their Internet activities became lesser than usual. The author called this treatment as practice the opposite.
0xternal stopper is another simple technique to treat the internet addicts by using their obligations li+e going to the school or wor+ as the stopper of using the internet. For example, set a time for the patients to log/in the internet one hour before they are going to wor+. They will naturally stop themselves and log/off from the internet. (owever, the ris+ by using this treatment is the patients might be ignored their obligations and continue to stay online. Therefore, the clinicians can suggest to the patients to put the alarm cloc+ beside the computer so that they alert and +now when they are supposed to stop their internet activities. S&&i'( Goal!
There are many users that tried to limit their time in using internet but failed severely. This is because they had vague plan pertaining to when exactly they are going to continue bac+ their internet sessions and they let the internet controls them. Therefore, the clinicians
should limit the patients' time in using the internet. For example, allow the patients to log/in about twenty hours rather than forty hours according to their current habits. (owever, their internet sessions should be arranged short but frequent in order to prevent them from withdrawal. Then, the clinicians should write their schedule on the calendar or their planner so that the patients aware with their new schedule and have a sense of being control instead of letting the internet control them.
Ab!&i''"
The abstinence here referred to the abstinence of application. =s the author stated above, the clinicians need to +now what +ind of application that being preferred by the patients so that they can as+ the patients to stop using their favourite application. et, the patients can still use other application that not related to their application. For instance, the patients are addicted to the chat room application. Thus, they must abstain from it. (owever, they can still use e/mail as a mechanism to communicate with others. Dy using this technique, the patients will reduce their time in front of the computer due to the less appealing application.
Rmi'#r Car#!
@eminder cards are one of the techniques to ensure the patients to stay focus to eradicate their addictive use of the internet. The clinicians may as+ the patients to list down five ma8or problem of internet addiction and five benefits if they are free from the internet addiction. Then, as+ the patients to write down on the card that they can bring it anywhere.
This technique will remind them if they are trying to go bac+ to their old habits and remain them on the path to strive their goals.
Pr!o'al I'*'&or
ersonal inventory is one of the important ways to reduce the internet addiction. The clinicians should as+ the patients to fill their personal inventory with activities that they neglect during their solitary time with the internet. For example, gathering with the family, hi+ing and etc. This will lead the patients to feel the real happiness by doing the real activities that they left behind because of the virtual world. oreover, the clinicians should instruct the patient to put scale on their activities such as ! / 1ery Important, 4 / Important, or 5 / Cot 1ery Important. This way will ma+e the patients to reflect their life before they are involved in addiction and ma+e they reali9e that their decision to change are correct. Thus, they will more appreciate their life and people around them.
S$%%or& Gro$%!
Some of the normal users may turn into the internet addicts due to the lac+ of social life. They have less connections with the real people in the reality. Therefore, they may find online friends which always available to communicate. This ma+e their attachment towards the internet became strong. =part from that, there were some people who have lac+ of self/ esteem or self/confidence that lured them into the virtual world because they feel more comfortable due to absence of direct contact with people. oreover, patients that experienced the death of the loved one may involve in the internet to escape from the sadness and the lonely life. They need a group that has experienced the same problems li+e them so that they can share their problems or feelings. Thus, the clinicians need to find the suitable group for the patients in order for them to ma+e new friends. The group may give support to the patients to go through their lives. (ence, the patients really need to 8oin a group that can
support them. Famil T+ra%
The internet addicts really need the family therapy because family are the closest contact and have a huge influenced in one's live. Family therapy need to include several important contents that gradually change the internet addicts. The contents are )a* educate the family on how addictive the Internet can be, )b* reduce blame on the addict for behaviors, )c* improve open communication about the pre/morbid problems in the family which drove the addict to see+ out psychological fulfillment of emotional needs on/line, and )d* encourage the family to assist with the addict's recovery such as finding new hobbies. (ence, the family therapy has a good influence that may recover the addicts to normal.
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS OF PATHOLOGICAL INTERNET USE
= few years bac+, the study of pathological Internet use has grown. There are many research and theories examining the effects of on/line behaviour patterns. The emergence of a new psychological 8ournal is being developed that will focus upon aspects of Internet use and addiction. (owever, the actual result not yet being specified and definite. Thus, the scholars need to study about the Internet addiction thoroughly before it can be recogni9ed by the -iagnostic and Statistical anual of ental -isorders and be a reference in the future.
Surveys have found that about 6: million have ventured on/line and analysts estimate that massive of number will 8oin online. ?ith the increasing number of user, the clinicians should ta+e note that there will be many possibilities the users became addictive and they should prepare the treatments for the patients.
This type of the addiction is new and the addicts may have the difficulties to express their problems regarding to the addiction. Therefore, the advertisements should be published to encourage the addicts to get their treatments. oreover, at the university, the seminars or the programme to increase the awareness level regarding to the Internet addiction and the misuse the Internet should be held.
Last but not least, further research needs to be carried out in order to have deep understanding about the Internet addiction and the recovery programme to succeed.
