An internet addiction disorder is when you use the internet in an excessive and compulsive way. It could be that you can’t physically stop checking things online such as social media platforms. When your internet use starts to interfere with your daily life this is when it starts to become an addiction. If you start putting the internet before your relationships, your work or school it may be a problem.
Internet addiction like other behavioural addictions, for many it fulfils the way the individual is feeling. Using the internet in a compulsive way may mean that they are getting pleasure from it. It may help them to cope with their emotions. They may be trying to escape from reality in their daily lives. Attempting to distract themselves from stress or anxiety in their lives.
There are many reasons why someone may become addicted to the internet.
Some experts have suggested that some people are predisposed to addictive behaviours because they don’t have enough dopamine receptors, or they aren’t making the right balance of serotonin with dopamine. These are two neurotransmitters that play a big role in your mood.
Lester Morse, Director of Rehabs UK said:
"It’s not necessarily time spent that can be considered as an addiction but more to do with not being able to stop or moderate when you realise you may have a problem."
Like most disorders, it’s not likely to pinpoint an exact cause of Internet Addiction Disorder. This disorder is characteristic of having multiple contributing factors. Some evidence suggests that if you are suffering from Internet Addiction Disorder, your brain makeup is similar to those that suffer from a chemical dependency, such as drugs or alcohol.
