Counseling for Internet Addiction in Beverly Hills, MI—Therapists
Logan tried to get out of the appointment, but his parents insisted. They were going to therapy. Logan’s parents were worried, but he did not see what the big deal was. He was perfectly happy with how much time he spent online, even if they were not. In the therapist’s office, Logan’s parents shared their concern. He had lost a lot of weight in the past few months, and he was only sleeping a few hours each night. That meant Logan was fatigued most days. He was often late to school, and he had stopped going to after-school practice. Instead, Logan comes home and gets online. A year ago, it was not like this, his parents said. Logan insisted that his parents did not understand. The counselor invited him to explain, so Logan tried. It has been a hard year for him. His friends were ignoring him at school and never invited him to hang out anymore. By the end of the appointment, Logan had taken small but important steps forward. He and his therapist had a lot more work to do together, but Logan was willing to come back. Many people are like Logan. They have a lot going on in their lives—a lot of wounds and a lot of challenges. They also may be struggling with an Internet addiction. Logan is not the only one. Many people struggling with compulsive Internet use.
“Turn off your email; turn off your phone; disconnect from the Internet; figure out a way to set limits so you can concentrate when you need to, and disengage when you need to. Technology is a good servant but a bad master.” —Gretchen Rubin
Between tablets, smartphones, and laptops, almost everyone can access the Internet anytime and anywhere they want. Like other behavioral addictions, some people struggle with compulsion when it comes to the Internet. In many ways, Internet addiction is just like a shopping or gambling addiction. There may not be a substance involved, but the loss of control is real. Also like other addiction, compulsive Internet use can have devastating consequences in an individual’s life. However, there are treatments available.
The therapists at Thriveworks Beverly Hills provide treatment for Internet addiction because we have seen people regain control and regain their lives. If the Internet has become a master—taken over control—consider reaching out.
Internet Addiction: Diagnostics
Dr. Ivan Goldberg first introduced the thought that people could become addicted to the Internet in the mid-1990s, and initially, the idea was not received seriously. However, mental health professionals soon realized that he was onto something. By 1998, another mental health professional, Dr. Kimberly S. Young, had pinned down criteria for diagnosing Internet addiction. That criteria is still used today. If an individual is experiencing five of the following diagnostics, they may have an Internet addiction:
- Using the Internet to regulate one’s mood.
- Difficulty curbing or stopping Internet use—repeated failed attempts.
- Using deception—lying about how much one is online.
- Being online longer than expected or planned.
- Experiencing a preoccupation with the Internet.
- Feeling moody, depressed, or irritable when not online.
- Spending more and more time online in order to feel satisfied.
- Taking risks in one’s personal or professional lives in order to be online.
Internet Addiction: Signs and Symptoms
Any addiction shows itself in certain signs and symptoms within an individual’s life, and Internet addiction is no different. The red flags that someone is struggling with addiction to the Internet are both physical and emotional. Emotionally, people may experience…
- Boredom
- Mood swings
- Feelings of guilt
- Isolation
- Dishonesty
- Feelings of elation when using the Internet
- Defensiveness
- Agitation
- Inability to keep to a schedule
- Avoidance of work
- Fear
- Depression
- Procrastination
- Loneliness
- Anxiety
- Losing a sense of time
Physically, people with an internet addiction may experience…
- Neck pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Backache
- Poor nutrition (forgetting to eat or eating excessively)
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dry eyes and other vision problems
- Poor personal hygiene (e.g., not bathing)
- Weight gain or loss
The physical and emotional signs of Internet addiction show just how destructive it can be within an individual’s life. Often, when a person uses the Internet compulsively, they face negative repercussions in their personal and professional lives. There are treatments, however, that can mitigate these consequences and help people regain control over their internet use. Each individual is unique, and all treatment should be tailored to the unique needs of a client.
Scheduling Therapy at Thriveworks Beverly Hills for Internet Addiction
At Thriveworks Beverly Hills, our mental health professionals offer individualized treatment plans to each client. How and when an Internet addiction forms is often personal and even painful. Each client has unique wounds and a unique healing path. Our therapists are committed to guiding each client along that path. If you are ready to meet with a therapist for Internet addiction, Thriveworks Beverly Hills is ready for you. When you call our office, a scheduling specialist will answer your call. You will not reach a voicemail, but a person will help you make an appointment. New clients often have their first appointment with their counselor within 24 hours of their first call, but we do not keep a waitlist. We offer evening and weekend sessions because we know life is busy. We also accept many different insurance plans. Let’s work together on healing from Internet addiction. Call today to schedule an appointment.
