Emotional Disorders and Internet Addiction Treatment

Emotional Disorders and Internet Addiction Treatment

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Exposing people to their emotional experiences helps them to accept and regulate their emotions by attending to how they process experiences.

New findings demonstrated how emotional patterns and responses affect regions of the brain. For example, brain-imaging studies show that cognitive reappraisal and other emotion-regulation techniques modulate the response of both the amygdale (brain structure associated with fear) and prefrontal cortices (regulate emotions and impulse) in ways that reduce negative emotions, increase positive emotions, or both.

Further research showed that people with emotional disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, and phobias) experience their emotions in similar ways. In essence, they enter a downward spiral in which they cannot accept an initial negative emotion; they try to get rid of the emotion; and they have trouble regulating and letting go of the emotion. Dr. Janetzke combines several techniques to help clients to build coping skills in order to accept, let go of and move on from their negative emotions.

For years Dr. Janetzke has successfully treated emotional disorders using a variety of techniques such as psychoeducation, emotional awareness training, cognitive appraisal and reappraisal, modifying emotion-driven behaviors and emotional avoidance, internal somatic situation exposure, relapse prevention, and present-focused emotional awareness training.

Internet addiction

The first residential treatment center for Internet addiction in the United States opened its doors in Seattle. Internet addiction has already been taken seriously in China, South Korea, and Taiwan. Pathological computer use can include obsessive use of video games, texting, Facebook, eBay, Twitter and any other obsessive use of technology. The effects of internet addiction have led to loss of a job or marriage, car accidents while texting, and death, generally stemming from a blood clot associated with being sedentary.

Warning signs include preoccupation with thoughts of the Internet; using it longer than intended, and for increasing amounts of time; repeated unsuccessful efforts to control use; jeopardizing relationships, school or work; lying to cover Internet use; using the Internet to escape problems or feelings of depression; and physical changes to weight, headaches or carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Janetzke suggests that people who suffer with mental illness may have a particularly hard time interacting with others and are vulnerable to addictions. In addition, many of these people have difficulty controlling their impulses to chat online, play games, or watch porn. Internet addicts miss out on real interactions and human development.

Their hygiene, home, eating, sleeping, and relationships deteriorate and they do not get enough exercise. Dr. Janetzke warns that this is especially concerning for youth, who may be particularly susceptible to internet addiction, as many youth spend increasing amounts of time on computers and do not fully develop frontal lobes (the brain structures which regulate impulse-control) until age 25. Dr. Janetzke is an addiction specialist and provides psychotherapy for a variety of addictive disorders. While internet addiction remains a newly researched disorder, compulsive and addictive behaviors have been found to share commonalities that respond to traditional methods used to treat alcohol or drug addictions. Early intervention may prevent serious consequences including other disorders from developing.