Admit it: You're addicted to this

May is Mental Health Month, so let’s talk about addiction.

No, probably not the one you’re thinking about. Not drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, or sex. I mean the one most of us avoid considering, because it can’t be entirely avoided.

Internet addiction.

That’s the growing, under-aware, over-used, stress-producing, eye-straining, depression-causing — yes, I used the D-word — everyday and often hour-by-hour activity making us all anxious. All, as in every internet user is susceptible. Anxious, as in anxiety-producing. Seriously.

Each Facebook update, Tweet, email, meme, and YouTube play — the whole lot. It’s like drugs: We have to keep checking, even when we don’t really have to. Losing track of time. Disappointing “live” people in the room who’d struggle to keep our attention. Thinking about it when not actually doing it. Withdrawal when we don’t check, a hit when we do... That’s true for an increasing segment of the population, and for more of us than would care to admit.

According to oft-repeated Nielsen and Pew Research statistics, nearly 90 percent of Americans are regular internet users (while only 40 percent of the world even has access). Are we all getting hooked? Some have a harder time letting go: 40 percent of young adults 18-24 check social media in the bathroom; 75 percent of Americans use phones or mobile devices to stay perpetually connected online.

Internet addiction means more than gambling or cyberporn. Net compulsions include excessive or compulsive shopping (that Amazon app can be so tempting), social media, gaming, and information surfing.

A little is fine and part of modern life. Make it a time-consuming habit, a need, or difficult to stop, and that’s something to think about.

Can you leave it at home? In the car? Not beside you? Do you sneak it?

Why do people get addicted to the internet? It’s instantly gratifying, always available. It’s easily accessible and offers a feeling of control; most Americans can go online any time day or night, without others knowing what they’re doing. That anytime, inexpensive gratification offers an exciting feeling, a form of high.

Internet addiction psychological studies have found correlations between internet use and certain mental illnesses, as well as other types of addiction, in teens and adults. These correlations include anxiety, sleep disorders, alcohol and substance abuse, depression, suicidal ideation, ADHD, phobias, schizophrenia, obsessive or compulsive behaviors, and/or aggression. Which comes first — the internet addiction or mental illness — is debated.

Clinical psychologists classify internet addiction as either an obsessive-compulsive disorder or an impulse control disorder. With disagreement as to which, there isn’t yet a specific treatment approach. Along with therapy, suggested approaches include, obviously, setting boundaries and limiting use. Exercise — sans device — is another recommendation — to get the blood flowing and provide a healthier high.

Just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Why not approach the internet like food? We can’t avoid it. We may even need it. But too much is destructive, and damages health. It may be available all the time, but that doesn’t mean we should consume so much of it.

Like quizzes? Go online to see if you’re there too often; take the Center for Internet Addiction’s test at Netaddiction.com/internet-addiction-test.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network and neoluddite who uses the Web begrudgingly. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.