Internet addiction is one of the varieties of psychological addiction. It consists in the desire to spend all free time online, playing online games, talking with invisible interlocutors, or simply browsing interesting sites.
Internet addiction (netogolism) is easy to recognize:
- neglect of work, family, friends, direct duties, frequent absenteeism from work or school;
- headaches, pain in the neck and back due to prolonged non-movable sitting in front of the monitor;
- A feeling of anxiety or fear while offline;
- refusal of food, food, without leaving the computer;
- neglect of personal hygiene.
Causes of Internet Addiction
Loneliness. First of all, people who experience communication problems become Internet addicts. On the Web, they get to know their own kind and, as it were, create the illusion of normal communication, and even communicate on the most intimate topics. Why an illusion? Yes, because the Internet does not contribute to emancipation, on the contrary, it provokes the development of shyness, isolation, self-doubt when communicating with living people.
Imaginary freedom. Usually people who grew up under the control of very authoritarian parents, live in a family where the spouse suppresses the will, etc. suffer from non-toholism. In such cases, the Network is a kind of outlet, a world in which everything is allowed.
Low self-esteem. Here we are talking about people with an unstable psyche, prone to diseases of the nervous system. They replace the virtual real life in which they are successful, rich, beautiful, live a full life.
Escape from problems. People who can’t cope with their fears in real life, are not able to solve the problems of their or close people, often find solace on the Web, where everything is easy and simple and any situation can be fixed.
Is it necessary to treat non-toholics? There is no consensus on this. However, in cases where the computer interferes with full life and work, forces a person out of society, contributes to the destruction of the family, you should not postpone the visit to a psychotherapist.