Internet addiction
A study on Internet addiction found the most common changes (cognition, behavior and emotion) of these users54. Cognitions:
a) flow (the user believes that spent less time than actually spent);
b) excessive concern (“If I do not get online, something bad will happen”); c) ruminations (“when I’ll be back online?”); d) denial
(“I do not have a problem with the Internet”), and e) unrealistic expectations (“when I go online my life will be much better”). Behaviors: a) avoidance (when confronted with stressful situations, the Internet becomes an escape of everyday problems); b) impulsivity (difficulty in controlling the inappropriate behavior). Emotions: a) craving (urge to use the Internet); b) guilt (when the user realizes the damage of the inappropriate use). The authors mention strategies for these patients: a) the goal of the treatment should not be abstinence, but moderate use; b) psychoeducation; c) self-observation (understand escapism as a compensatory strategy, also recognizing the triggers); d) time management; e) development of offline activities, and f) prevent relapse.