Hyperactivity disorders and internet addiction

One would think that a diagnosis at the best addiction treatment center in Pakistan of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) would be tough enough on a child – but research shows that kids with ADHD and the Brief Treatment Works for Mental Issues, As rule out the people should have to know the roles of how they can do when they are in ADHD and are also more prone to a host of other problems. Difficulty focusing can lead to academic problems, and impulse control issues can lead to behavioural problems, car accidents, substance abuse and other risky behaviours.

Internet addiction has become another serious concern for teenagers and their parents, and teens with Hyperactivity Disorder are at even greater risk for developing this compulsion. A 2009 study of more than 2,000 seventh graders, published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, found that boys and girls with Hyperactivity Disorder were more likely to be addicted to the Internet (particularly online gaming and chatting) than teens without the disorder.

In many ways, the Internet is naturally attractive to kids with ADHD. The Internet is fast-paced and offers a never-ending supply of information, games and social outlets. According to researchers, the Internet has a unique appeal to teens with Hyperactivity Disorder for the following reasons:

• On the Web, youngsters with ADHD can open various windows and participate in different exercises simultaneously with the snap of a mouse.
• Researchers accept youngsters with ADHD might lack dopamine, which might be balanced by the dopamine delivered while playing Web-based games.
• Due to unusual cerebrum movement, youngsters with Hyperactivity Disorder need discretion, making it hard for them to control their Web use and leaving them more helpless to Web enslavement.

The Causes of Internet Addiction

Although the causes of Internet addiction differ depending on the teen in question, experts at Stone Mountain School, a private boarding school for boys in North Carolina, have observed the following common precursors to Internet addiction:

• Low self-esteem
• Poor self-image
• Lack of achievements
• Feeling undervalued
• A sensation of the absence of command over one's life
• A feeling of being trapped
• Lack of a structured environment
• Stress and real-world problems
• Difficulty making and sustaining relationships
• Strained home environment
• Lack of community or friends
• Difficulty regulating persistent negative emotions
• Lack of a stimulating learning environment
• Lack of opportunities for mastery
• Lack of opportunities for exploration
• Lack of opportunity to play

Warning Signs of Internet Addiction

Computers will remain a central part of American life, so parents must learn ways to monitor their child's computer use and detect Internet addiction symptoms.

The experts at Stone Mountain School advise parents to watch for the following signs of Internet addiction:

• Preoccupation with the Internet
• Change in eating habits, sleep patterns or school performance
• Physical ailments such as numbness in the hands, eye strain, weight gain or loss, and headaches, back aches or neck aches
• Neglecting personal hygiene
• Missing school or work to surf the Web
• Refusing to do chores or fulfill other responsibilities because of Internet time
• Using the Internet longer than allowed or desired
• Giving up previously enjoyable activities to spend more time on the Internet
• Neglecting friends and family in favour of spending time on the computer
• Defensiveness or efforts to hide or lie about Internet use
• Becoming irritable when unable to use the Internet
• Isolating oneself socially or viewing the Internet as an escape

Like different types of dependence, Web junkies experience trouble stopping, resilience (hankering increasingly more screen time) and withdrawal (crabbiness, tension and weariness) while not utilizing the Web.

Treating Teens with ADHD

Teenagers are spending more time on the computer than ever before. And though computers are valuable for homework, research and socializing, too much can lead to problems in other areas of life, especially for teens with ADHD.

At Stone Mountain School, boys with ADHD learn new coping skills, so they don't turn to the Internet and video games when they return home. In a residential treatment setting, the boys work with a therapist and their families to understand their motivation to use the Internet compulsively, find healthier pastimes and establish appropriate boundaries.

Stone Mountain School also focuses on addressing the underlying issues that led to Internet addiction. The students get plenty of exercise, outdoor activity and playtime, and opportunities to build their self-esteem. A token economy provides a system of positive reinforcement, a daily schedule provides structure and organization, and a positive peer support network helps the boys build lasting friendships.

Internet addiction requires intervention and treatment, just like other addictions. Kids with ADHD have a rough road ahead – make sure there are as few bumps as possible by monitoring their computer use and getting help immediately if you notice the signs of Internet addiction.