Technology, including the Internet, video gaming, smartphones, tablets, social media, has earned the rank of indispensability in human history as well as epitomizes efficiency and productivity in human daily social, professional, academic, and family-related existentialistic experiences and endeavors. Similarly, the valences and excessive or inability to control the use of, and dependency on technology are accompanied with addictive or adverse effects to create other mental and physical health concerns. Technology addiction (IAD) or Internet use disorder (IUD) is self-reinforcing and shares similarities with alcohol and drug addictions.
Do you or a loved one…
- Feel preoccupied with the Internet (meaning thinking about a previous online activity or anticipating the next online session)?
- Feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
- Feel restless, moody, depressed or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
- Stay online longer than originally intended?
- Use technology as a way of escaping problems or relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression?
- Feel the need to respond immediately to your smartphone?
- Constantly check the phone even when it does not ring or vibrate? (Phantom vibration, or thinking the phone vibrates when it hasn’t, is a real phenomenon.)
- Ignore what’s happening in real time in favor of what’s happening in the virtual world?
- Feel anxious when away from the device or computer? Have you or a loved one…
- Made multiple unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop Internet use?
- Jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
- Lied to family members, a therapist or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?
- Used the Internet as a way of escaping from problems?
- Become defensive when confronted about the behavior?
Your “yes” response to five of these questions may indicate that you or a loved have a problem with technology addiction.
Please call today 281-592-5401 for consultation.
Here is Hope through Enlightenment! At Lightway, our experienced psychologists embrace eclectic approach, including cognitive behavioral therapy to encourage our patient’s introspection and metacognition, challenge maladaptive motivations and thoughts to achieve adaptive behaviors.
If you are interested in this service, please contact us at 281-592-5401 or Set an Appointment at your convenience.