How Therapy Can Help with Computer Addiction

As therapists, it is important to understand and assess for problematic computer use when treating individuals, couples, and families. I have found in my practice that it is difficult to recognize problematic computer use because technology is a highly valued asset in our professional and private lives. As a result, many dual diagnoses (the addiction and the underlying problem it is concealing) go untreated.

Raising awareness about computer addiction allows therapists to work more efficiently and successfully. For example, I treated a client whose presenting problem was grief and devastation over a failed long term relationship. I explored for addictive behavior and computer overuse and discovered that not only was he continually dating online, but obsessive checking of his email caused the break up to occur. I quickly got him to cancel his subscriptions to e-harmony and other cyber dating sites and encouraged him toward healthier ways of coping with the underlying anxiety and loneliness. He began biking, walking, and working out at the gym on a daily basis. He also started eating healthier and learned to cook for himself. He stopped turning to the Internet for comfort and reached out to people in the community. His business picked up and he reported feeling more focused and enthusiastic. He pursued fun activities such as fishing, sailing, and spending more time with his adult daughter.

My work with computer additiona clients has helped me identify and treat the problems caused by his computer use. Thus, I was able to confront it immediately, and provide effective relief.