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), 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. 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?
BackacheCarpal tunnel syndromeInsomniaNeck PainHeadachesPoor personal hygieneWeight gain or loss
Emotional or behavioral symptoms may include:
Inability to prioritize or keep a scheduleAvoidance of work and negative effects on your school or job performanceIsolation and reduced involvement with your family or friendsMood swings or feelings of anxiety, agitation, depression, or guiltLoss of sleep and feelings of apathyPreoccupation with being online, even when you’re offlineTaking 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?
Medication Options
Lexapro (escitalopram)Wellbutrin (buproprion)
Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of such treatment to determine if this may be helpful for you.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
DepressionAnxietyADHDAlcoholism
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 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 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.
