http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/romance-redux/201210/how-technology-makes-us-afraid-intimacy

Terry

In fact every brain study performed has confirmed the same brain changes as seen is substance addicts. No exceptions. Please google the following

1. Reduced Striatal Dopamine Transporters in People with Internet Addiction Disorder (2012)

2. Reduced Striatal Dopamine D2 Receptors in People With Internet Addiction (2011)

3. Effects of electroacupuncture combined psycho-intervention on cognitive function and event related potentials P300 and mismatch negativity in patients with internet addiction (2012)

4. Abnormal White Matter Integrity in Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder: A Tract-Based Spatial Statistics Study (2012)

5. Microstructure Abnormalities in Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder. (2011)

6. Gray Matter Abnormalities In Internet Addiction: A Voxel-Based Morphometry Study (2009)

7. Male Internet addicts show impaired executive control ability evidence from a color-word: Stroop task (2011)

8. Enhanced Reward Sensitivity and Decreased Loss Sensitivity in Internet Addicts: An fMRI Study During a Guessing Task (2011)

9. Impulse inhibition in people with Internet addiction disorder: electrophysiological evidence from a Go/NoGo study (2010)

10. Increased regional homogeneity in internet addiction disorder a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging study (2009)

11. Abnormal brain activation of adolescent internet addict in a ball-throwing animation task: Possible neural correlates of disembodiment revealed by fMRI (2012)

12. Impaired inhibitory control in internet addiction disorder: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study. (2012)

The above were Internet addiction studies. The following looked at Internet video-gaming addiction:

12. Preliminary study of Internet addiction and cognitive function in adolescents based on IQ tests (2011)

13. Brain correlates of craving for online gaming under cue exposure in subjects with Internet gaming addiction and in remitted subjects. (2011)

14. Changes in Cue Induced Prefrontal Cortex Activity with Video Game Play. (2010)

15. Altered regional cerebral glucose metabolism in internet game overusers: a 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography study (2010)

16. Cue induced positive motivational implicit response in young adults with internet gaming addiction (2011)

17. Brain activity and desire for Internet video game play (2011)

18. Excessive Internet gaming and decision making: Do excessive World of Warcraft players have problems in decision making under risky conditions? (2011)

19. Specific cue reactivity on computer game related cues in excessive gamers (2007)

20. The neural basis of video gaming (2011)
21. Attentional bias and disinhibition toward gaming cues are related to problem gaming in male adolescents. (2012)

22. Alterations in regional homogeneity of resting state brain activity in internet gaming addicts. (2012)

Only two studies from the above list followed Internet addicts through recovery. Both found a *reversal* of the biomarkers in former addicts:

1. Effects of electroacupuncture combined psycho-intervention on cognitive function and event related potentials P300 and mismatch negativity in patients with internet addiction (2012)

2. Brain correlates of craving for online gaming under cue exposure in subjects with Internet gaming addiction and in remitted subjects. (2011)

This one found Internet addiction was the *cause* of multiple symptoms:

1. Precursor or Sequela: Pathological Disorders in People with Internet Addiction Disorder (2011)

“The core problem is not using repetitive, extended internet use, or even intrusive thoughts about keeping track of online events (otherwise 90% of the office workforce would be diagnosed), but low mood and social withdrawal.
In Japan, almost exactly the same problems have been named ‘hikkikomori‘. One of the key characteristics of hikkikomori individuals is that they isolate themselves and occupy their time with the internet and video games.
But the Japanese, rather sensibly, identify the core problem as social withdrawal, and the excessive solitary activities as symptoms – just ways in which isolated people try to fill the void.”

All good points. But you could make the exact same argument about a alcoholism. That alcohol addiction is just a way to cope with emotional pain. Nevertheless, continued excessive drinking is considered a barrier to healing, and giving up alcohol, or at least cutting back, is considered an important step towards mental health.

Similarly, although “internet addiction” may just be a symptom of social withdrawal, it also acts as a barrier to social interaction. It is not just a way for “isolated people try to fill the void”, it actually makes real-life social interaction less appealing since it is not as exciting and takes more effort than virtual social interactions.

Social isolation has always existed, but TV and the internet have made social isolation much more common. Boredom used to be a powerful motivator for getting outside of the house, and for seeking social interaction. Now video games, the internet and TV have all made staying at home very entertaining and exciting without the hassle and effort of real life interaction with other people.

Terry