It is believed that this disease affects mainly adolescents and people under the age of 35, but it is known that it affects those who are already over 50. Psychologists and sociologists are sounding the alarm, because this ailment is dangerous, so it is important to know what symptoms are being said about its availability and how to get rid of a similar problem.
Dependence on the computer
Experts argue that the probability of suffering from this disease is everyone who devotes video games and Internet entertainment more than 2-4 hours a day. Psychological dependence on the computer - this is a kind of slavery, people stop paying attention to social communication, their own development, not interested in romantic and friendly relations. All that is important for him is to pass a new level, to earn virtual bonuses, to become the best in the game, to study forums.
Symptoms of computer dependency
In the early stages it is difficult to determine the presence of a problem, it is clearly not yet evident, but there are signs of computer addiction that mean it's time to talk with a person about his priorities or to orient him to an appeal to a psychologist. These symptoms include:
- The patient has a strong irritation when trying to close people to play time or surf the internet.
- Increase the mood in the periods that he spends on the computer.
- Computer dependence is manifested in the fact that a person avoids personal communication, prefers correspondence via the Internet or social networks.
- The patient refuses to go out, is not interested in anything other than games or looking for anything on the net, speaks only about his hobby or simply ignores communication with relatives and friends.
The listed signs are basic, but even their presence is not always an indication that the dependence began to develop. Sometimes it also happens that they are manifested in workaholics or hyperactive people who are sitting at the monitor and are trying to complete an important project. In this situation, the symptoms will disappear immediately after the end of the difficult period associated with large amounts of work. Therefore, it is important to clarify from a loved one, with which his irritability is associated, and to monitor the development of events.
Causes of computer addiction
Psychologists and physiologists distinguish two main factors affecting the appearance of the disease. According to the research, the following reasons for the emergence of computer dependence can be identified:
- Insufficient social adaptation, lack of sense of security in personal communication with people. This is a psychological factor, computer dependence arises in adolescents who do not have intimacy with their parents, have not developed relationships with peers, there is no sense of their own significance.
- Excretion of the pleasure hormone. This reason is already physiological, when playing or communicating in a comfortable environment, the body synthesizes a particular substance, it can be addictive and the person strives to do everything to get a new dose. By itself, the pleasure hormone is not bad, it stands out both in sports and in the use of chocolate, negative consequences start only when people give up everything else, in an attempt to stimulate its appearance.
The stages of computer dependence
The time of treatment depends on how much it manifested itself. There are stages in the development of psychological dependence on computer games, where each has its own distinctive features:
- Slight infatuation . A person begins to get involved in the game, but can refuse it if the situation requires it. Irritation and negative attitude towards other spheres of life does not yet arise.
- Increase in enthusiasm . A person in his own hierarchy of values gives more and more priority to games, he seeks to spend more time at the computer, but still does not deny the importance of other areas of life.
- Stage of attachment . The game is more and more fascinating, but also not the main value. The person controls the time spent at the computer, but does it all the less willingly.
- Dependence . The game - it becomes the most important in a person's life, when trying to remove it from the computer, hysteria begins, aggression is manifested. He seeks to do everything to stimulate the production of the pleasure hormone.
The stages of computer dependence on network communication and Internet surfing are exactly the same, but it is more difficult to notice the development of this ailment, especially if it concerns an adult working person. Experts recommend viewing the history of requests, if there is a suspicion of a problem. This will help to determine whether a person spends time on solving specific, working or personal issues, or simply spending time on the network.
What is the result of computer addiction?
The consequences of this disease are the saddest. Negative changes are manifested not only in social life, but also in career, physiological level. A harmful habit of computer dependence provokes the emergence of tunnel syndrome , headaches, discomfort in the scapula and neck muscles. The disease promotes development of inferiority complexes, self-doubt, refusal to perform work duties. All this leads to the fact that a person loses his life, including prospects and the opportunity to have a family, to build a career.
How to get rid of computer addiction?
Coping with the problem will help a competent psychotherapist. Treatment of computer addiction includes hypnosis sessions, conversations with a specialist, aimed at identifying personal problems, group sessions and the passage of trainings. Time to get rid of depends on the stage at which a person is located, how long the disease has developed, what complexes and psychological characteristics led to its occurrence. Self-management of the problem can be at the very beginning, when people still control themselves and prioritize correctly.
Dependence on computer games
Similar problems often appear in adolescence, and in men from 30 to 35 years. Computer game addiction is often caused by dissatisfaction with one's own life, lack of vivid impressions. At the initial stage, relatives still do not notice the problems, believe that this is a temporary hobby that will quickly pass. It is necessary to take care if a person starts spending all his free time on the game. A dangerous sign is that he refuses other activities, communicates and ignores his duties, workers and the house.
Consequences of dependence on computer games
Adolescents have problems with academic achievement, they refuse to build social relations, in some cases commit crimes, can not distinguish virtuality from the real world. In adults, gaming dependence on computer games can lead to family and career breakdown, wives often leave partners with such problems, because the behavior of a guy often resembles the actions of a child. The value system of men is changing, there is no more room for children, marriage, material achievements.
How to deal with addiction to computer games?
The early stages will help limit time or complete failure. During this period, a person is still able to perceive the real state of affairs adequately. Since the stage of attachment, psychological dependence on computer games is treated only with the help of a specialist. All that relatives can do is take the teenager to him, or persuade an adult person to visit this doctor.
Computer addiction - sekategizm
If a loved one spends too much time on the net, starts dating there and just does internet surfing, maybe this is a problem. Networkolism is characterized by the appearance of untidiness, non-fulfillment of its workers and domestic duties, the emergence of a position that only in virtuality is interesting. A person often begins to spend money on the purchase of additional equipment, go online constantly. At an early stage, programs that limit access to the network, actions aimed at the appearance of other pleasures in life will help.
Prevention of computer addiction
To prevent the development of the problem will help simple actions. The fight against computer addiction begins with the fact that close people should do everything to make the person feel comfortable and happy not only on-line, joint walks, sports, talks and the presence of family traditions - all this refers to preventive actions. It is equally important to set the time limit for using the Internet, it is done with the help of special programs or by agreement between partners or children and parents.
Interesting facts about computer addiction
Although the problem arose relatively recently, several shocking cases have already appeared, which clearly demonstrate its importance. Facts about computer addiction suggest that adolescents and adults can go for this disease even for murder. It is known that:
- In China, games are forbidden where physical injuries are inflicted on virtual heroes, according to experts this provokes the growth of crimes among adolescents.
- The American teenager, who shot teachers and classmates, was dependent on the computer. He did not realize that he was committing a murder in reality.
Computer addiction is dangerous, so it is important to keep track of whether it does not affect her close and friends, and self-control when using the Internet will not be superfluous. If you suspect a similar problem, contact the therapist immediately. The positive effect begins to manifest immediately after the first session, treatment helps, but you need to start it in time.