Could You Be Addicted To The Internet - Everyday Health

04/10/21, 15:13 Could You Be Addicted to the Internet?
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I N T E R N E T A D D I C T I O N ( / I N T E R N E T- A D D I C T I O N / G U I D E / )
Could You Be Addicted to the Internet?
Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Jump to More Topics
By Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD (/authors/rosalyn-carson-dewitt/) and Michael Dolan (/authors/michael-

dolan/)
Medically Reviewed by Allison Young, MD (/authors/allison-young/)
Reviewed: May 24, 2021
Medically Reviewed
Many of us know that feeling: your eyes are glazed over, your back is hunched, you’re
staring at a screen and you just can’t seem to stop. If you spend so much time online — on
a phone, computer, gaming platform, or other device — that it negatively affects your
health, job, finances, or relationships, could that be considered an addiction?
Experts debate whether you can be addicted to the internet in the same way you can be
addicted to substances. The term itself — internet addiction or internet addiction disorder
— is controversial and is not currently listed in the American Psychiatric
Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
(https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm), the guide that practitioners use in
diagnosing mental health conditions. Still, although it can be difficult to draw a distinction
between addiction and problematic use of the internet, the compulsion to be online is
increasingly becoming a recognized concern.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/internet-addiction/guide/ 1/18
04/10/21, 15:13 Could You Be Addicted to the Internet? | Everyday Health
In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO)

(/) included a related condition known as
NEWSLETTERS
gaming disorder in the 11th edition of their International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Gaming disorder is defined as “a pattern of gaming behavior ('digital-gaming' or 'video-
gaming') characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to
gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other
interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the
occurrence of negative consequences.”
Whether “internet addiction” constitutes a mental health disorder, excessive internet use
clearly encourages unhealthy behaviors — often in the same way that recognized
addictions do. If you’re concerned that you’re overdoing it, here are the signs to look for,
and ways to help manage being online.
RELATED: What Is Gaming Disorder and Should You Be Worried About It?
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/symptoms/what-gaming-
disorder/)
Signs and Symptoms of Excessive Internet Use
Unhealthy internet use can have troubling effects, similar to those of substance abuse or a
gambling addiction. Research published in Current Psychiatry Reviews, for instance, noted
that it “ruins lives by causing neurological complications, psychological disturbances, and
social problems.”
According to Mental Health America, people may spend excessive amounts of time
engaged in the following activities online:
Gaming
Gambling
Trading stocks
Shopping for merchandise
"Shopping" for relationships on dating sites
Cybersex or pornography
Social media
Many of these activities can have serious repercussions,

(/) such as relationship problems or
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financial consequences, if you do them to excess.
According to PsychGuides.com, physical symptoms may include:
Backache
Carpal tunnel syndrome (https://www.everydayhealth.com/carpal-tunnel/)
Insomnia (/insomnia/guide/)
Neck Pain (/neck-pain/neck-pain-prevention-pillows.aspx)
Headaches
Poor personal hygiene (/healthy-living/guide-to-good-hygiene.aspx)
Weight gain or loss
Emotional or behavioral symptoms may include:
Inability to prioritize or keep a schedule
Avoidance of work and negative effects on your school or job performance
Isolation and reduced involvement with your family or friends
Mood swings or feelings of anxiety, agitation, depression, or guilt
Loss of sleep and feelings of apathy
Preoccupation with being online, even when you’re offline
Taking steps to hide the extent of your computer or internet use, or lying about time
spent on your device, according to GoodTherapy
RELATED: Is Social Media Busting or Boosting Your Stress Levels?

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/united-states-of-stress/social-media-
busting-boosting-your-stress/)
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Withdrawal Symptoms
Like addictive behaviors, excessive internet use has been shown to release dopamine
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/dopamine/) in the brain. This means people
effectively feel a “high” when engaged on online — but it also means they can feel
“withdrawal symptoms” when they’re offline.
When people with excessive internet use stop engaging in the internet, they may initially
feel depressed, irritable, anxious, or experience other mood symptoms. Interestingly,
there's been one case described in the journal Psychiatry Investigation of a 25-year-old male
developing a psychotic episode after discontinuing an internet game that he played for at
least eight hours a day for two years.
Causes and Risk Factors of Excessive Internet Use
What is it about the internet that leads to overuse and why do some people have a
problem while others don’t? Mental Health America notes that the internet is accessible,
provides some measure of control to users, and often leaves users with a “high” feeling or
sense of excitement that continually draws them back. The combination of these factors
makes it difficult for some people to limit their time online.
It’s thought that addiction-like behavior with the internet is similar to impulse control
disorders and gambling addiction.
A meta-analysis of research published in BMC Psychiatry suggested an association between

what the study authors describe as “internet addiction” and depression
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/), anxiety
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/guide/), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) (https://www.everydayhealth.com/adhd/guide/),
(/) and alcoholism NEWSLETTERS
(/alcoholism/guide/).
Researchers also note that there’s increasing evidence of a genetic predisposition to

addictive behaviors.
How Is This Condition Diagnosed?
As noted above, internet addiction is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5. But a variety of
questionnaires have been created to determine if your internet use is unhealthy. Some of
the questions include the following:
Are you preoccupied with using the internet?
Are you unable to resist your desire to use the internet?
Do you have to use the internet for certain amounts of time in order to feel satisfied?
And is that amount of time increasing?
Do you try to decrease your online time over and over again, only to fail?
When you can't use the internet, do you find yourself in a bad mood, anxious, or
irritable?
Do you stay online for longer periods of time than you mean to?
Have you hidden from others the amount of time you spend online?
Do you have any problems with your school or job performance due to your internet
use?
Has your internet use created relationship problems with family or friends?
Treatment Options
Rather than eliminating online time entirely, treatment for excessive internet use typically
involves learning to set boundaries around internet use and to reduce it to normal levels
that allow you to function and maintain personal relationships. Research has shown that a
combination of therapy, exercise, and possibly

(/) medication can be effective in reducing and
NEWSLETTERS
controlling time spent online.
Treatment typically requires the aid of a therapist who can help you use the internet again
in a healthy way.
A particular form of cognitive behavioral therapy — which aims to change negative,

harmful thought patterns — has been shown to be particularly effective.
If excessive internet use is complicated by a gambling disorder or substance abuse, you

may require an intensive treatment program or even an inpatient treatment program.
Medication Options
In some cases, excessive internet use may be associated with mood disorders like anxiety
and depression (https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/anxiety-and-depression.aspx) —
and it’s unclear which is causing the other. While more and better research is needed, it
appears that medications to treat these disorders, such as antidepressants
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/antidepressants/guide/), may ease symptoms.
According to an article published in May 2019 in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy,
examples of antidepressants (/antidepressants/guide/) for this include:
Lexapro (escitalopram) (https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/lexapro)
Wellbutrin (buproprion) (https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/bupropion)
Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits

(/) of such treatment to determine if this may
NEWSLETTERS
be helpful for you.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Studies suggest that physical exercise may be an effective treatment. A meta-analysis

published in June 2020 in the journal Frontiers in Psychology noted that research has shown
that sports interventions can “significantly reduce internet addiction” and that exercise can
substantially reduce the time spent online.
Editor's Pick
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/addiction-pictures/the-8-most-surprising-
addictions.aspx)
8 Common Behavioral Addictions

(https://www.everydayhealth.com/addiction-pictures/the-8-most-
surprising-addictions.aspx)
Behaviors can be as addicting as substances like alcohol and drugs. Learn which activities can
cause serious problems for some people. Learn More (https://www.everydayhealth.com/addiction-
pictures/the-8-most-surprising-addictions.aspx)
Prevention
Taking steps to manage your internet use could help you recognize a problem before it
gets out of control. You might try the following, according to Mental Health America:
Take breaks. (For every 45 minutes you’re online, go offline for 15 minutes.)
In your free time, engage in activities that are physically intense or require enough
concentration to distract you from thinking about going online.
Keep your smart phone or tablet at home when you leave the house.
Maintain a log of any internet use that isn’t related to school or work and see if you
notice patterns. Are you going online to(/)relieve boredom, or feelings of loneliness?
NEWSLETTERS
Keep a list of things that you enjoy doing (or that you need to do) that don’t involve
being online. When tempted to go online, choose an activity from your list instead.
Complications
Problematic internet use can have serious repercussions, such as relationship problems or
financial consequences.
As noted above, a meta-analysis of research, published in BMC Psychiatry, suggests that

people who are preoccupied with the internet and show signs of “internet addiction” are
also at greater risk for the following mental health concerns:
Depression
Anxiety
ADHD (/adhd/guide/)
Alcoholism
A study published in December 2020 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found
that young adults who used social media more than 300 minutes per day were 2.8 times as
likely to become depressed within six months, compared with participants who used it less
than 120 minutes per day.
EDITOR’S PICKS
(https://www.everydayhealth.com/addiction/loneliness-
(https://www.e
other-digital-addiction-symptoms-are- health/should-you-pull-plug-on-social- health/how-us
seen-students/) media-weighing-pros-cons/) night-may-take
Loneliness, and Other Digital Should You Pull the Plug on How Using
Addiction Symptoms, Are Social Media? Weighing the Devices at
Seen In Students Pros

(/) and Cons Toll on Spe
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Research and Statistics: How Common Is Excessive

Internet Use?
A Pew Research study released in 2019 showed that 31 percent of Americans claim they
are online “almost constantly” due to increased smartphone usage. And a study in The
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse found that as many as 8.2 percent of Americans
may suffer from what the study authors call “internet addiction” or excessive internet use.
Resources We Love
NetAddiction (http://netaddiction.com/)
Find information on treatment, recovery, and other educational resources at this website
from The Center for Internet Addiction, founded in 1995 by Kimberly S. Young, a
psychologist and noted researcher on the condition.
Books
Need a good way to get offline? Pick up a book! Here are two thought-provoking works on
the subject:
Tech Stress: How Technology is Hijacking Our Lives, Strategies for Coping, and
Pragmatic Ergonomics (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/232119/tech-
stress-by-erik-peper-phd/) by Erik Peper, PhD, Richard Harvey, PhD, and Nancy Faass,
offers practical tools and strategies to keep digital life from damaging your real life.
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked
(https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318516/irresistible-by-adam-alter/) by
Adam Alter, a professor of psychology and marketing at New York University, looks at the
rise of behavioral addiction and why it's so hard to resist being online.
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04/10/21, 15:13 Could You Be Addicted to the Internet?

Could You Be Addicted to the Internet?

Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Jump to More Topics

By Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD (/authors/rosalyn-carson-dewitt/) and Michael Dolan (/authors/michael-

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO)

Signs and Symptoms of Excessive Internet Use

Shopping for merchandise

"Shopping" for relationships on dating sites

Many of these activities can have serious repercussions,

financial consequences, if you do them to excess.

According to PsychGuides.com, physical symptoms may include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome (https://www.everydayhealth.com/carpal-tunnel/)

Neck Pain (/neck-pain/neck-pain-prevention-pillows.aspx)

Poor personal hygiene (/healthy-living/guide-to-good-hygiene.aspx)

Weight gain or loss

Emotional or behavioral symptoms may include:

Inability to prioritize or keep a schedule

Avoidance of work and negative effects on your school or job performance

Isolation and reduced involvement with your family or friends

Mood swings or feelings of anxiety, agitation, depression, or guilt

Loss of sleep and feelings of apathy

Preoccupation with being online, even when you’re offline

RELATED: Is Social Media Busting or Boosting Your Stress Levels?

MOST RECENT IN EMOTIONAL HEALTH

The Real Effects of 8 Ways to Be More Optimistic Summertim

Causes and Risk Factors of Excessive Internet Use

A meta-analysis of research published in BMC Psychiatry suggested an association between

Researchers also note that there’s increasing evidence of a genetic predisposition to

How Is This Condition Diagnosed?

Are you preoccupied with using the internet?

Are you unable to resist your desire to use the internet?

combination of therapy, exercise, and possibly

controlling time spent online.

A particular form of cognitive behavioral therapy — which aims to change negative,

If excessive internet use is complicated by a gambling disorder or substance abuse, you

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits

be helpful for you.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Studies suggest that physical exercise may be an effective treatment. A meta-analysis

8 Common Behavioral Addictions

As noted above, a meta-analysis of research, published in BMC Psychiatry, suggests that

Seen In Students Pros

Research and Statistics: How Common Is Excessive

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking (/) NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for our Mental

Enter your email

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use

THE LATEST IN INTERNET ADDICTION (/INTERNET-ADDICTION/GUIDE/)

The Real Effects of Technology on Your Health

8 Ways to Be More Optimistic

By Jenny Splitter September 24, 2021

Mental Health Recap: 4 Must-Read

By Christina Vogt September 20, 2021

Talkspace Therapy 2021: Reviews and Costs

By Sara Lindberg September 15, 2021

Talkspace vs. BetterHelp: Which Online Therapy Is Better?

By Hannah Sherk September 14, 2021

The Pandemic Routines These Families Want to Keep

them have brought positive changes.

How to Cope With 9/11 Anniversary Grief, According to a Grief

By Christina Vogt September 8, 2021

Under Pressure: How Social Media, Drugs, and the Changing

By Hannah Hickok September 1, 2021