There are several studies, recently performed,
suggesting that people who are prone to the Internet addiction and use it a lot,
have a high tendency to get depressed. There is still inconclusive what comes
first: depression causes people to withdraw from the real life and to turn to
the Internet to fill personal needs in the social interactions, or excessive
use of the Internet “makes” people more depressed.
Internet
Addiction Disorder
The growing body of research in the area of
addiction suggests that Internet Addiction Disorder, a psycho-physiological
disorder involving tolerance; withdrawal symptoms; affective disturbances; and
interruption of social relationships, is a presenting problem that is becoming
more common in society as on-line usage increases by the day.
To be diagnosed as having Internet Addiction
Disorder, a person must meet certain criteria as prescribed by the American
Psychiatric Association. Three or more of these criteria must be present at any
time during a twelve month period:
1. Tolerance: This refers to the need for increasing
amounts of time on the Internet to achieve satisfaction and/or significantly
diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time on the
Internet.
2. Two or
more withdrawal symptoms developing within days to one month after reduction of
Internet use or cessation of Internet use (i.e., quitting cold turkey), and
these must cause distress or impair social, personal or occupational
functioning. These include: psychomotor agitation, i.e. trembling, tremors;
anxiety; obsessive thinking about what is happening on the Internet; fantasies
or dreams about the Internet; voluntary or involuntary typing movements of the
fingers.
3. Use of the
Internet is engaged in to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
4. The
Internet is often accessed more often, or for longer periods of time than was intended.
5. A
significant amount of time is spent in activities related to Internet use (e.g.,
Internet books, trying out new World Wide Web browsers, researching Internet
vendors, etc.).
6. Important
social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced
because of Internet use.
7. The individual risks the loss of a significant
relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of excessive use
of the Internet.
In latest researches, other characteristics have
been identified. The first is feelings
of restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop Internet
use. The second is that the Internet is used as a way of escaping problems or
relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression. The third
characteristic is that the user lies to family members or friends to conceal
the extent of involvement with the Internet. And, finally, the user returns
repeatedly despite excessive fees.
Leeds
University Study, 2010
Psychologists from Leeds University found what they
said was “striking” evidence that some avid net users develop compulsive
internet habits in which they replace real-life social interaction with online
chat rooms and social networking sites.
“This study reinforces the public speculation that
over-engaging in websites that serve to replace normal social function might be
linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction,” the study’s
lead author, Catriona Morrison, wrote in the journal Psychopathology. “This
type of addictive surfing can have a serious impact on mental health.”
In the first large-scale study of Western young
people to look at this issue, the researchers analyzed internet use and
depression levels of 1,319 Britons aged between 16 and 51. Of these, 1.2
percent were "internet addicted", they concluded. These
"internet addicts" spent proportionately more time browsing sexually
gratifying websites, online gaming sites and online communities, Morrison said.
They also had a higher incidence of moderate to severe depression than normal
users.
Limitations of the current study include the usual
problems we see in studies like this. First, it was not a randomized,
controlled sample — a significant problem with so many “Internet addiction”
studies. Instead the researchers posted a questionnaire online and received
responses from 1,319 Britons aged between 16 and 51. Of those 1,319 people, 18
— yes, that’s eighteen — met the criteria for “Internet addiction” using
the Internet Addiction Test. So, if you are addicted to Internet, but that does
not cause you major inconvenience and lifestyle impairment, you can be sure,
you would not get in the group of selected individuals.
Other
Studies
In another recent study, which results were published
in August 2010, otherwise healthy Chinese teenagers were examined. Researchers interviewed 1,041 children, asking about the
amount of time they were in the Internet, how often they felt depressed or
moody when they were offline, which goes away when they log back online. About
six percent of these children were considered to be pathological Internet users
and “at risk.” Researchers found out that nine months later, the “at risk” kids
were two and half times more likely to have symptoms of clinical depression. Dr
Lawrence Lam, of the School of Medicine in Sydney, Australia, the lead
researcher for this study, said: 'This result suggests that young people who
are initially free of mental health problems but use the internet
pathologically could develop depression as a consequence”.
One more 2010 study found that those who used the
Internet 3 to 5 times a week to find information about their health conditions
had significantly higher symptoms of depression than those who only did so
occasionally. So, this study gives another insight on the dependency between
Internet use and depression. People who may have maniacal worries on their
health conditions, one of the wide spread phobia, frequently turn their efforts
to find the necessary information on the Web.
Earlier study of 1998 tried to find the causal
relationship between Internet addiction and depression: does the Internet cause
the mental illness, or does mental illness lead people to abuse the Internet?
Researchers approached the concept by providing Internet access to 169 people
who previously had not been able to log on from home. The researchers reported
in American Psychologist that the more time these people spent online, the less
time they spent with their families, the smaller their social circles became
and the more depressed and lonely they felt.
How the Internet May Cause Depression
While these studies seem alarming, experts are quick
to point out that depression has
only been linked to pathological users of the Internet, those with Internet
addiction, not the average, everyday user.
“One simple factor is that pathological Internet
users are not sleeping correctly,” says Joseph Garbely, DO, chief medical
officer of Friends Hospital in Philadelphia. “They get less sleep because
they’re pathologically using the Internet. They’re also not eating right, not
connecting in a healthy way to people (face to face), in socially acceptable
ways. They’re getting lost in gaming and fantasy on the Internet, so they’re
engaged in secretive behavior.”
With increased frequency, these activities lead
Internet abusers down the path to depression, says Frank Barnhill, MD, a
board-certified family physician and author of Mistaken for ADHD. “Any
activity that limits a person’s interaction with others, with different
environments or settings and with acceptable social customs, will lead to
social deprivation syndrome. Persons suffering social deprivation develop
irritability, mood swings, poor concentration, increased restlessness, possible
aggressive behavior and impulsivity, and relationship problems.”
Summary
Nobody can object the statement that Internet brings
multiple positive changes to lives of many people. It can help in all segments
of our personal life and business. It is a very useful tool, and as every tool,
it can be abused. When you start feeling that virtual life of Internet is more interesting,
safe, and lovely, than the real life, it is time to stop and look around. You definitely
miss the point, letting the real life, real entertainment, real love, and real
friendship to pass by. Use Internet as much as you need, but be FREE from
Internet.
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