Internet Addiction Disorder: a Review (Part 1)
What is Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)?
The World Wide Web is informative, convenient, and fun. There
are varying opinions on the subject of Internet addiction.
Recent reports indicate that some on-line users are becoming
addicted to the Internet in the similar way that others became
addicted to drugs, alcohol, or gambling, which resulted in
academic failure (1,2), reduced work performance (3) and even
marital discord and separation (4). As the Internet increasingly
becomes part of our lives, Internet addiction disorder has
received much attention. The term Internet Addiction Disorder
was coined by psychiatrist Ivan Goldberg. Those who are addicted
to Internet may withdraw from social and interpersonal
interactions other than those on the Internet. Their family
relationships and academic or occupational functioning may
deteriorate.
Internet Addiction Disorder: Myth or Reality?
Do some people have problems with spending too much time online?
Sure they do. Some people also spend too much time reading,
watching television, and working, and ignore family,
friendships, and social activities. But do we have TV addiction
disorder, book addiction, and work addiction being suggested as
legitimate mental disorders in the same category as
schizophrenia and depression? While many believe the term
addiction should only be applied to cases involving chemical
substance (5,6); similar diagnostic criteria have been applied
to a number of problem behaviors such as pathological gambling
(7,8,9) eating disorders (10, 11), sexual addictions (12),
generic technological addictions (13), and video game addiction
(14,15,16,17).
Like all other addictions, Internet addiction is a
psychophysiological disorder involving tolerance (the same
amount of usage elicits less response; increased amounts become
necessary to evoke the same amount of pleasure), withdrawal
symptoms (especially, tremors, anxiety, and moodiness),
affective disturbances (depression, irritability), and
interruption of social relationships (a decline or loss, either
in quality or quantity). Due to the nature of Internet Addiction
Disorder, of all other addictions, it is said to be closest to
pathological gambling.
Diagnostic Criteria
A maladaptive pattern of Internet use, leading to clinically
significant impairment or distress as manifested by three (or
more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same
12-month period, is all that is required to diagnose a person as
having Internet Addiction Disorder: (I) tolerance, as defined by
either of the following:
(A) A need for markedly increased amounts of time on Internet
to achieve satisfaction
(B) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same
amount of time on Internet
(II) Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following (A)
The characteristic withdrawal syndrome
(1) Cessation of (or reduction) in Internet use that has been
heavy and prolonged.
(2) Two (or more) of the following, developing within several
days to a month after Criterion 1:
(a) Psychomotor agitation
(b) Anxiety
(c) Obsessive thinking about what is happening on Internet
(d) Fantasies or dreams about Internet
(e) Voluntary or involuntary typing movements of the fingers
(3) The symptoms in Criterion B cause distress or impairment in
social, occupational or other important other area of functioning
(B) Use of Internet or a similar on-line service is engaged in
to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
(III) Internet is often accessed more often or for longer
periods of time than was intended
(IV) There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut
down or control Internet use
(V) A great deal of time is spent in activities related to
Internet use (e.g., buying Internet books, trying out new
browsers, researching Internet vendors, organizing files of
downloaded materials
(VI) Important social, occupational, or recreational activities
are given up or reduced because of Internet use.
(VII) Internet use is continued despite knowledge of having a
persistent or recurrent physical, social, occupational, or
psychological problem that is likely to be caused or exacerbated
by Internet use (18) (sleep deprivation, marital difficulties,
lateness for early morning appointments, neglect of occupational
duties, or feelings of abandonment in significant others).
What Makes the Internet So Addictive?
Given the recent surge in access to information technologies
(19), we have a new generation of diverse computer users.
Internet itself is not addictive, but, perhaps specific
applications play a significant role in the development of
Internet abuse. Secondly, internet users report a sense of
excitement while using the Internet, which can be paralleled to
the "high" experienced when people become addicted to video
games (16) or gambling (7). This implies that the level of
excitement experienced by the on-line users while engaged in the
Internet may be associated with addictive use of the Internet.
Since the aspects of the Internet where people are spending the
greatest amount of time online have to do with social
interactions, it would appear that socialization is also one of
the factors what makes the Internet so "addicting." Whether it's
via e-mail, a discussion forum, chat, or a game online, people
are spending time in exchanging information, support, and
chit-chat with other people like themselves (20). On the other
hand, the type of application utilized by the on-line user may
also be associated with the development of Internet abuse.
Who Are Internet Addicts?
In the first concentrated study of the social and psychological
effects of Internet use at home, researchers have found that
people who spend even a few hours a week online experience
higher levels of depression and loneliness than they would have
if they used the computer network less frequently (21). On the
other hand if we analyze Internet addiction in terms of
behaviour, it is found that most people who think they are
addicted are probably suffering from the desire to not to deal
with other problems in their lives. Those problems may be a
mental disorder (depression, anxiety, etc.), a serious health
problem or disability or a relationship problem. It is no
different than turning on the TV so you won't have to talk to
your spouse, or going "out with the boys" for a few drinks so
you don't have to spend time at home. Nothing is different
except the modality.
An alternative hypothesis has been given by Dr. John M. Grohol
(20). It mentions that the behaviors we are observing are
phasic. Most people with "Internet addiction," are likely
newcomers to the Internet. They are going through the first
stage of acclimating themselves to a new environment -- by fully
immersing themselves in it. Since this environment is so much
larger than anything they have ever seen before, some people get
"stuck" in the acclimation (or enchantment) stage for a longer
period of time than is typical for acclimating to new
technologies, products, or services.
(References are included in part 2 of the article)