The internet has become the core component of the everyday world.
For example, we use the web for working, communicating with people, listening to music, shopping, and even taking medical advice.
However, like anything else, there’s a dark side to the internet as well.
Yes, you’ve guessed it right! We are, indeed, talking about internet addiction. It’s real, prominent, and can be dangerous for your well-being.
Technically speaking, it’s even more negatively consequential than alcohol or drug addiction.
Why?
Well, for the latter, you can always opt for an organization that helps people suffering from addictions with physical dependence. For instance, VSM provides a detox in Austin that can help cure the craving for drugs and alcohol efficiently.
But, how do you take care of internet addiction?
Frankly speaking, most people generally opt for a psychiatrist to manage this psychological issue. Nonetheless, undergoing physical therapies doesn’t work in most cases, especially if you’re not being active from your own end.
Types Of Internet Addiction
Internet addiction, in essence, can negatively affect your brain and cause impulse-control issues to the patient. Here’s what you need to know about it.
- Cyber-Relationship Addiction: It’s all about being addicted to virtual relationships and becoming obsessed with online friends more than anything else. It may lead to depression and social anxiety to some extent.
- Information Overload: Obsessed with database browsing and web surfing, you’ll feel the constant need to use the internet for learning everything. It, in turn, can interfere with your real-life responsibility and productivity massively.
- Cybersex Addiction: Do you feel the need to watch porn every night before going to sleep? Well, it could be a sign of cybersex addiction. If you compulsively keep doing the same, it can also turn into a regular habit that can’t be put off.
- Computer Addiction: People addicted to playing online games are a part of this type of internet addiction. Like information overload, it can affect your productivity to some extent and create a barrier between you and your responsibilities.
How To Know If You Are Addicted To The Internet?
As an addicted individual, realizing that you’re addicted will be nearly impossible. However, if you are suspicious of your activities, make sure to look for the following signs closely –
- Getting isolated from your real-life friends and family members.
- Losing track of time while staying online.
- Failing in your tasks and responsibilities due to the amount of time spent online.
- Noticeable defensiveness or guilt on how much time you’re spending online.
- Experiencing physical symptoms, such as headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck or backaches, unexplained weight loss or gain, etc.
Aside from this, as an addicted individual, you’ll also consider using the internet to improve your psychological condition. Failing to reduce the time spent on the web can also be a prominent symptom of such addiction.
How Does Internet Addiction Affect Your Health?
Internet Addiction Disorder, or IAD, can be pretty problematic, as it prevents you from working on your real-life relationships and responsibilities.
Aside from this, the issue can also reduce the fibers of your brain’s white and gray matter. It, in turn, changes your overall emotional response and the functioning of your brain.
What’s even more horrible is that your brain will continue to transform negatively if you keep this addiction untreated.
Aside from this, an unsolved IAD can also lead to –
- Extreme stress and anxiety.
- Suffering from depression and mood disorders.
- Not having proper social support or interaction.
- Going through a change that limits your social mobility or activity.
- Experiencing a sense of feeling lonely.
Internet addiction can massively affect your psychological health, especially when you’re trying to recover from it. Nevertheless, we’ll still ask you to grit your teeth and go through the procedure as subtly as possible. Hopefully, it will all work out in the end for you.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Although we have discussed as much as we could in our blog, we still think that there’s something lacking in our article. Therefore, to take care of it, we’ll try answering some of the common questions regarding the titular topic here.
Let’s keep reading to find out more about it!
Q. 1. How Does Technology Affect The Brain Negatively?
The potentially harmful effect of technology, in essence, is the extended screen time, which can affect both your eyes and brain.
Aside from this, it can also lead to impaired brain development (for children), social isolation, disrupted sleep, impaired social and emotional intelligence, etc.
Q. 2. Does The Internet Make You Dumber?
Well, technically speaking… no, not really. However, using the web for an extended period of time will keep you interrupted and distracted from the real world.
This, sequentially, can affect your natural ability to think distinctively and forge a connection with a subject or someone else.
Q. 3. What Are The Pros And Cons Of The Internet?
Like anything else, the Internet can be both good and bad for your psychological growth. Here’s a table that can help you perceive what we’re talking about.
| Pros | Cons |
| Overall increase in your efficiency. | The primary source of interruption. |
| Finds better job opportunities. | Addiction to the internet. |
| Answers to all of your questions. | Inappropriate content for teenagers. |
| Best place for finding information. | Communication place for extremists. |
Q. 4. How Is The Internet Affecting Our Intelligence?
The Internet is not affecting our intelligence, per se. However, it’s definitely making us lazier by not letting us think or solve our problems on our own. Moreover, it also affects our ability to maintain our focus correctly and perform cognitive tasks for a prolonged period.
Conclusion
Due to its eminence, technology has become quite significant in today’s world. However, unfortunately, the same goes for the internet too.
Hence, if you are suffering from internet addiction, we will ask you to take care of it as soon as possible. If you are determined, we’re pretty sure that you can cure this issue on your own. However, if you’re still struggling to manage anxiety and panic attacks, visiting a psychiatrist will be beneficial for you.
Also, if you have anything else to ask us, don’t forget to ping us in the comment section below. We’ll help you out in any way we can.