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VOL 3

ISSUE 4 (2015) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AYURVEDA & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE eISSN-2348-0173 pISSN-2395-3985

Sushant Sud, Nidhi Doshi J., Role of Ayurved in Internet Addiction Disorder - The Current Generation Lifestyle Disorder, Int. J. Ayu. Alt. Med., 2015; 3(4):199-203

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REVIEW ARTICLE Impact Factor (2014) – 0.815 by International Scientific Indexing (ISI) UAE

ROLE OF AYURVED IN INTERNET ADDICTION DISORDER - THE CURRENT

GENERATION LIFESTYLE DISORDER

Sushant Sud1*, Nidhi Doshi J.2

1. Asst. Prof, Dept. of Agad Tantra Evum Vyavahar Ayurved, International Centre for Ayurvedic Studies, Shri Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat-361001, Contact No.- +919687792882, E-mail- [email protected]

2. Medical Officer, Viable Multi - Specialty Hospital, Hospital Road, Bhuj, Kutch-370001 Gujarat,

Contact No. - +918866430545, E-mail- [email protected]

Article Received on - 15th June 2015 Article Revised on - 24th July 2015 Article Accepted on - 25th Aug 2015

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RVIEW ARTICLE *Corresponding Author Sushant Sud Asst. Professor, Dept. of Agad Tantra Evum Vyavahar Ayurved, International Centre for Ayurvedic Studies, Shri Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat-361001, Contact No.- +919687792882, E-mail- [email protected]

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ABSTRACT: Lifestyle related disorders are also known as the diseases of civilization or disease

of longevity. These are the diseases that appear to increase in frequency as countries become more industrialized and people live longer. Now a day’s IAD is more commonly known as PIU (Problematic Internet Use) and CIU (Compulsive Internet Use) because habits such as long time Internet gaming, live video streaming, gambling’s, surfing, etc all such activities interfere with normal life. The threat of Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) increases as long time use of internet by the users causes high risk of irregular dietary habits, high frequency of skipping meals, inappropriate and disturbed daily structural routine, lifestyle disorders etc which in turn could result in stunted growth and development. Some of the major Psychosomatic signs and symptoms observed are Carpel tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, Insomnia, Isolation from the social environment, Musculo-skeletal disorders, Metabolic diseases etc. Today no doubt Internet has become the most powerful tool for Humans throughout the globe Infect “It’s a globe in a Room” but on the other side of this, long time usage is causing many such lifestyle disorders which has created havoc in the day to day life. In Ayurved the concept of Heena (Less), Ati (Excessive) and Mithya (Inappropriate) Yoga (combination) of Indriya (Sense organs) and Astmayeindriyarth Samyoga (Indulgence in unhealthy subjects of sensory organs) has been dealt which can be co-related with the Addiction in relation to the Sensory as well as Motor related dysfunctions. The details are highlighted in this paper.

Key Words: IAD, Lifestyle disorders, Ayurved

INTRODUCTION Lifestyle diseases (also sometimes called diseases of longevity or diseases of civilization inter changeably) are diseases that appear to increase in frequency as countries become more industrialized and people live longer. Internet addiction is characterized by an individual’s inability to control his or her online use, resulting in anguish and impairment of the activities of daily life. [1] IAD (Internet Addiction Disorder) is now more commonly called PIU (Problematic Internet use) & CIU (Compulsive Internet use).[2] The internet is one of the most accessible media in the world and it is different from other types of media. Reasons for this are: (i) the internet has many activities that its users can engage with; (ii) the internet offers an opportunity to communicate with people all over the world without any limitation. Furthermore adolescents have become an important target of this commercial market Internet technology and activities, which are progressing rapidly, have attracted adolescents, leading to the over-use of required amount of energy and hence Internet has become an important tool for social interaction, information,

and entertainment However, as the Internet has moved into homes, schools, Internet cafes, and businesses, the prevalence of Internet addiction has been increasing rapidly. Internet addiction is characterized as poorly controlled Internet use, and can lead to impulse-control disorders. Recently, Internet addiction, especially among adolescents, has been recognized as an important social issue in various countries because of the high prevalence of depression, aggressive behavior, psychiatric symptoms, and interpersonal problems associated with this addiction. [3]

Aim and Objectives 1. To understand and conceptualize the Internet related addiction causing lifestyle disorders. 2. To review various lifestyle related disorders cause by excess use of Internet. Review of Literature The data and literature was collected from various Classics and Contemporary texts, through various International and National Journals and Magazines published, Researches done so far and Current available data.

ROLE OF AYURVED IN INTERNET ADDICTION DISORDER - THE CURRENT GENERATION LIFESTYLE DISORDER

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METHODOLOGY There are ways to diagnose compulsive internet use as internet addiction disorder. One could make the claim that internet addiction disorder is a spectrum disorder which involves compulsive use of the World Wide Web in a manner that interrupts normal daily life, relationships or other important events. Various components will also come into play when internet addiction disorder is a factor, these include: [4] Using the internet excessively and losing track

of time when online Neglecting responsibilities when online Feeling angry, upset or otherwise irritable

when unable to go online Psychological withdrawal symptoms when not

online such as depression, anxiety or irritability

Developing a tolerance for the internet which is marked by a desire or perceived need for better computer equipment, a faster internet connection, more software or additional hours of online experience

Lying about internet use or activities performed while online

Becoming socially isolated when online Suffering from fatigue as a result of spending

too much time online Family or relationship problems resulting

from time spent online Role of internet in modern era:- The modern era of the internet has made even

the most tiring and physically demanding works on the finger tips. For example the shopping which is indeed a very complicated affair, can be easily done on the internet in the modern times, via e-commerce. This technology has emerged as one of the breakthrough uses of the internet.

The modern developments through the internet have also widened the opportunities for business and professional developments. The need to advertise the products of any business companies are no more a major problem, as the companies can develop their own website and information regarding the products to convince the customers with their works.

Internet is indeed the major advancement in the modern era, enabling the common people to sit at home and rule the world. [4] [5]

Where Internet Addiction Disorder Stands Today:- While there is not yet a formal diagnosis in the medicine world when it comes to internet

addiction disorder, many continue to argue that the condition is real. What this means is:

1. As real as internet addiction may seem, it is still not possible to be formally diagnosed with the condition until the terms of the condition are formally outlined by healthcare professionals.

2. Many healthcare professionals believe that internet addiction is simply a compulsive desire to cover up an underlying condition such as depression or anxiety.

3. Many perceived cases of internet addiction are actually other compulsions such as shopping addiction, gambling addiction, OCD or a sexual addiction problem.[5]

Physical symptoms of Internet addiction:- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain and numbness

in hands and wrists) Dry eyes or strained vision Back aches and neck aches; severe headaches Sleep disturbances Pronounced weight gain or weight loss [5] Emotional symptoms of Internet addiction:- Feelings of guilt Anxiety Depression Dishonesty Euphoric feelings when in front of the

computer Unable to keep schedules No sense of time Isolation Defensiveness Avoiding doing work Agitation [5] Internet Addiction: The New Mental Health Disorder? There’s been more and more scientific research devoted to understanding what Internet Use Disorders (IUD) is, how it works neurologically, and how we can treat it. Research has shown that people with internet addiction have demonstrable changes in their brains – both in the connections between cells and in the brain areas that control attention, executive control, and emotion processing. Most intriguing is the fact that some of these changes are what you see happening in the brains of people addicted to cocaine, heroin and other substances. And other research has found that people who are hooked on the internet have changes in how the brain’s dopamine system operates – dopamine is generally credited for allowing us to experience pleasure and reward. Some studies have found that people with internet addiction have fewer dopamine receptors in

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certain areas of the brain, and others have suggested additional ways in which dopamine function might be impaired. And very recent studies have suggested how certain genetic variations might be involved in internet addiction. [6] What Ayurved says about (IAD) Internet Addiction Disorders? Usually, the word ‘addiction’ is used in the negative sense. It has been defined with regard to psychoactive substances such as alcohol and tobacco which, if ingested, alter the mood and/or perception of the person consuming them. But addiction, in true sense of the word, is not limited only to alcohol and drugs, etc. One may become addicted to gambling, a particular type of food such as chocolate or coffee, sex, pornography, computers, video games, internet, work, exercise, TV, shopping and even spirituality. There may also be so-called good addictions which people may praise such as getting up early in the morning and visiting a temple or church. [7] According to Ayurved the concept of Asatmyeindriyartha Samyoga (Indulgence in unhealthy subjects of sensory organs) goes much equivalent with today’s Internet Lifestyle Disorders. Ayurved terms this condition as ‘Madatyaya’ (Alcoholism) which means intoxication. Though Ayurved restricts this condition to alcohol and drug use, the mode of treatment is very effective for Internet Addiction too. According to Ayurved, any intoxicating material reduces the essence of life (Ojas). [8] Effect on Doshas (Humors) with long time use of Internet Vata: Headache, difficulty in breathing,

insomnia, vivid dreams, dry hallucinations, anxiety, constipation, mood swings, erratic thoughts.

Pitta: Burning in the stomach and digestive problems, excessive sweating and thirst, diarrhea, fever, giddiness, aggression and violence.

Kapha: Excessive sleep, lethargy, heaviness in the body, nausea, and vomiting.

Common symptoms: Restlessness, piercing pain in the heart, sweating, diarrhea, thirst, fever with chills, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dizziness and disturbed sleep. All these symptoms are experienced in the variety of intoxications. So, the Ayurved concepts of Madatyaya (Alcoholism) and treatment, therapies are very much relevant to today’s addiction therapies. Ayurved is used to help people overcome addictions. There is no one set course of treatment for addiction (as everyone’s balance of doshas is

unique) but some common elements of an Ayurvedic addiction treatment program are: Therapies to reduce the severity of symptoms

and to improve overall health and well being, such as cleansing treatments like Abhyanga (External Massage) and Basti (Enema).

Therapies to improve health and disease resistance – such as herbal medicines and dietary changes.

Therapies to improve spiritual health and well being, such as meditation, yoga and others. [8]

DISCUSSION The Internet is an extremely important social and communications tool, and is changing our daily lives at home and at work. It is entirely predictable that any major new technology, or way of doing business, should be associated with a variety of human responses, some good, and some not so good and moreover there is no doubt that some Internet users develop problematic behavior. Most of these are probably pre-morbidly vulnerable people who often have a history of impulse control and addictive disorders, and whose abnormal behavior is a response to specific online content and activities. It is unlikely that “Internet addiction”, as a disorder in its own right, exists. [9] Internet addiction has been described as an emerging psychiatric disorder, but many mental health practitioners and researchers are uncertain if it should be considered a legitimate mental disorder. Internet Addiction Disorder arises from the phenomenon of the Internet now being a part of the average person’s daily life. It is undeniable that the Internet provides people with the abilities to easily acquire information, learn new things, gain and maintain relationships, and make money. In short, the Internet has been instrumental in improving our quality of life. [10] [11] Internet addiction does not cause the same type of physical problems as other addictions, such as alcohol, but the social problems parallel these of other established addictions like loss of control, cravings and withdrawal symptoms, social isolation, marital discord, academic failure, excessive financial debt, job termination - these are just some of the consequences documented in my research. The field of Internet addiction is advancing rapidly even without its official recognition as a separate and distinct behavioral addiction and with continuing disagreement over diagnostic criteria. The growth of a hardly satisfied and very innovative population has created an environment where the saturated use of the computer, and its additional benefits is an

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orthodox. It no longer matters where one travels or how much room for luggage one has, a computer can be brought regardless of the inconveniences. [12] [13] Since the craving people have to use the Internet unrestrained is a fairly new concept that has been brought to public attention just recently there has not been much research done in the field to date. And it is still a very debatable question whether it exists or not. Some say that the Internet is addictive to the point where it controls one’s life; others say that it is not the same as getting high or drunk to an extreme. Nevertheless the Internet is affecting the people who use it extensively whether it be called addictive or not.[14] [15] In addition to having features of a process addiction, Internet use might be reinforced by pleasurable thoughts and feelings that occur while the person is using the Internet. Although researchers in the field of addiction studies question the concept of an "addictive personality" as such, it is possible that someone who has one addiction may be prone to become addicted to other substances or activities, including Internet use. People with such other mental disorders or symptoms as depression, feelings of isolation, stress, or anxiety, may "self-medicate" by using the Internet in the same way that some people use alcohol or drugs of abuse to self-medicate the symptoms of their mental disorder. [16]

CONCLUSION So far addictions have mainly focused on highs that are produced from the use of drugs or other external forces that affect the brain’s chemical responses. However it has recently been brought to the public’s attention that an individual can receive a similar kind of “high” from using the Internet, This malady has been termed Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). Today the Internet is useful and accessible to all people in different parts of the world. However, Internet addiction has negative health, social, mental, and financial effects. For these reasons we need to consider the many negative impacts and fight to reduce Internet addiction. As the field of Internet Addiction

Disorder is still in development, the future of this mental disorder still remains uncertain. What is known at this time, though, is that the general public ought to have access to information regarding Internet Addiction Disorder. REFERENCES

1. http://www.interventionsupport.com/internet-addiction/ [Accessed date 25.07.2015]

2. http://www.addictions.com/wp-content/uploads/internet-addict [Accessed date 11.06.2015]

3. Mashaei Naffise, Asadpour Mohammad, Pourrashidi Boshrabadi Ahmad, Rezahosseini Omid, Ayatollahi A, Bidaki Reza, Arab Bani Asad Fatemeh; The prevalence of internet addiction among the students of Rafsanjani University of Medical Sciences Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 2013,Vol. 14; 2.

4. http://www.addictions.com/internet/internet-addiction-disorder-is-it-real[Accessed date 05.12.2014]

A. Swaminath, Internet addiction disorder: Fact or Fad? Nosing into Nosology, Indian J Psychiatry. 2008, 50(3): 158–160.

5. http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2012/10/02/the-new-mental-health-disorder-internet-addiction [Accessed date 17.07.2015]

6. https://www.jiva.org/addiction-means-slavery-of-the-mind/ [Accessed date 30.06.2015]

7. Acharya Agnivesha. Charak Samhita. In: Trikamji AY, editor. Ayurveda Deepika Commentary of Chakrapani Datta. 5th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrita Samsthana; 2001. p.752.

8. Peter M. Yellowlees, , Shayna Marks; Problematic Internet use or Internet addiction?; Computers in Human Behavior 2007; 23 1447–1453.

9. King-wa Fu, Wincy S. C. Chan, Paul W. C. Wong, Paul S. F. Yip; Internet addiction: prevalence, discriminant validity and correlates among adolescents in Hong Kong; The British Journal of Psychiatry, 2010, 196 (6), 486-492.

10. http://absoluteindianews.com/storydetail.php?nid=7001 [Accessed date 13.04.2015]

11. http://www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/M/MentalDisorder.aspx [Accessed date 25.07.2015]

12. Hilarie Cash, Cosette D Rae, Ann H Steel and Alexander Winklerb, Curr Psychiatry Rev. 2012 Nov; 8(4): 292–298

13. Christopher L. Heffner, Maria Garcia Duran, Internet Addiction Disorder All Psych Journal, 2003 December ; 4(3): 494–498

14. Dwivedi, C. B; Swasthavritta: The Ayurvedic model of health and well-being. Health Psychology, 2005, p. 353-371.

15. Singh AR, Singh SA. Replicative nature of Indian research, essence of scientific temper, and future of scientific progress. Mens Sana Monogr. 2003; 1:3–16.

16. Singh Ajai R. Indian Journal of Psychiatry and psychiatric research in India: Past, Present and Future, Indian J Psychiatry. 2010; 52(Suppl1): 13–18.

CITE THIS ARTICLE AS –

Sushant Sud, Nidhi Doshi J., Role of Ayurved in Internet Addiction Disorder - The Current Generation Lifestyle Disorder, Int. J. Ayu. Alt. Med., 2015; 3(4):199-203 Source of Support – Nil Conflict of Interest – None Declared

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