Internet Addiction is a very real and  debilitating condition which is affecting more people every day. While the internet helps improve productivity by allowing us to get things done more quickly, internet addiction can have drastic effects when it interferes with day-to-day activities, work and relationships with family and friends. The first sign of internet addiction is usually the fact that you are more comfortable with your online friends than those people who are physically close to you, or when you are compulsively checking your social media accounts, or playing games online.

Internet addiction often includes co-occurring impulse-control conditions, including cybersex and/or relationship addiction, and internet gambling addiction. Addiction to offline games forms part of computer addiction, which falls under the same spectrum of disorders.

Symptoms of IAD (internet addiction disorder) don't only affect relationships and interfere with daily life and relationships, If you are addicted to the internet or computer, you may experience sudden weight loss or weight gain, and sleep disturbances.

Therapists and addiction counsellors can use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you to balance out your internet use and put an end to compulsive behaviors. They will help you to find healthier coping mechanisms to deal with depression, stress and anxiety.  Marriage counseling can help your partner to deal with the effects of cybersex and help you as a couple to reconnect and fulfill your social and emotional needs.

If you need a counsellor or psychologist to help you address the effects of internet addiction, you can scroll down the page to find a professional with the approach best suited to your situation.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that usually starts within the three months of a traumatic incident. It has been reported that in rare cases, PTSD symptoms may only occur after a number of years.

Three groups of symptoms are present in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Increased anxiety / emotional arousal includes anger or irritability, overwhelming shame or guilt, sleeplessness and self-destructive behaviour. The second group of symptoms, known as intrusive memories, causes flashbacks to the traumatic event and upsetting dreams. The third group of symptoms that a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder patient may experience, includes emotional numbing or avoidance. This group of symptoms includes memory problems, poor concentration, feeling emotionally numb, a sense of hopelessness, and an avoidance of activities that the person used to find enjoyable.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms may be present for a while, disappear and then return again. General stress may increase the symptoms, as can reminders of the traumatic incident.

Therapists who address  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder generally use one, or a combination of trauma therapies to treat it. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is commonly used and can help a person to change their reactions to traumatic memories.

Exposure therapy can help a person reduce the amount of fear related to the feelings and thoughts associated with past traumatic events. Cognitive therapy helps a person to change the way he or she thinks about the event and the aftermath of a traumatic incident. It will help a person to identify thoughts that cause fear and anger, and learn ways to replace those thoughts with less stressful and more empowering thoughts.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and related issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.