Expert Opinion: Internet Addiction

Expert Opinion is a series where Yale experts give their opinion on medical-themed stories in the news. In this edition, Dr. Marc Potenza explains if there is medical relevance to the term internet addiction and what can be done to treat it.

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[VKingMD]

I recently tried to a 30 day internet media fast. I made it 36 hours, and then like someone who had been starved, I binged on netflix from 6pm until about 2am, only stopping then because I realized I had to be up for work in 3 hours and should probably get some small amount of sleep. So to all those who doubt I have 1 finger on each hand for you. This is real and it's ruining my life. People don't get addicted to things, they get addicted to dopamine, and media is an unnatural source of dopamine that we didn't evolve to deal with just like drugs. Addiction should not only be acknowledged it should be expected.

[shakiragoofygal]

Looking at these comments and seeing other people who share the same struggle as me somehow makes me feel better. It makes me realize that I am not alone in this.

[TheManlol]

i’m addicted to educational youtube videos, sometimes i go down rabbit holes and can’t stop all night. i was also given a working diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder. leads me to believe that the combination of these may be some larger OCD effecting multiple areas

[NathanDriskellTherapy]

I agree. As a specialist in treating Internet Addiction, I have seen just how addictive and damaging Internet Addiction can be to the addict as well as their families. I have found most addicts, especially young adults, have social anxiety as well as a lack of focus in their lives. Most do not know what they want to do for their future and escape into a game where for them it is safe and familiar.

I use CBT to help change their thoughts about themselves and their futures, as well as provide counseling for social anxiety and family counseling so parents know how to deal with it. It is extremely difficult, as abstinence from the Internet is not practical.

Good video. More attention is needed on this issue.

[dynamitedingo]

I was addicted for years, I was still productive in life. I will say my parents didn’t care enough to actually help me through my problems

[MuriloPerrone]

Recognizing the addiction is not enough to sort it out.

During this video, I played a full chess game using fast time control. This is one of the many internet addictions I have been dealing with.

[serenityjewel]

Me: Doctor, how do I stop my internet addiction? It's ruining my life.

Yale doctor: Just take a break from it.

Me: 😐

[jakeself]

I’m watching this in bed on my iPad past my bedtime. This guy is calling me out. 😬

[PhilStinnet]

It is 1:15 AM. I feel that i have a problem. I should be sleeping by 10 AM. But, three hours later, i am watching a movie. I felt as if i have an addiction problem. I searched on YouTube on internet addiction. This video came up. And, the guy in the video describes my problem as it is.

[allgood]

I consider myself addicted to the internet.. I could not live with out the internet.. amazing tool! 🌏

[ookipuki]

Of course this barely has views in 4 years
:(....


Thank you. Good stuff 🖒

[IDontWannaHandleYT]

None of the places around me offer actual internet addiction.

[annachristinanotyet]

Honestly I'd say 90% of sociteiy have it because it is sociteable acceptable. Put yourself on a tram, train staton wait a few minutes and count the people who are NOT on their phones. I'd guess for the most part you'd be able to count them on 1 hand. I wouldn't even exclude myself but I also kind of don't know where else to get contacts these days because anyone is on their ONLINE ways.
I mean you don't even know your own neighbours because since the Invention of TV the majoritiy ends up behind a screen after work days and who wants to have human contact these days anyways? I mean I'm glad I'm still in a rather peaceful country but look at the mental state yet alone portrait online from the USA..these poor people (almost) can't breahte without fearing to be shot by some rando psychopath (which also might be by a general Podcast True Crime addiction on top of all of that) and not to forget the constatnly state of mind of homophobia, offenses and simply existing....like we all shouldn't look so "arrogant" at all those addictis with (il-)legal substances inside...besides that I can't be the only one who has a bunch of them in their playlist. I think to a degree 90-95% of the population is addicted to some shat.

[Ishallseeyourdemise]

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