Hypnotherapy for Internet Addiction

Professional hypnosis treatments for internet addictions at the Wombourne Clinic in Wolverhampton

Internet addiction is not confined to young people although the popular press might suggest that this is the case, we have seen a large number of adult clients with this problem, more often than not related to internet porn use.

While time spent on-line can be very productive, overusing the Internet can also interfere with your daily life, work, and your relationships.

If you end up feeling more comfortable with your on-line friends than your real ones, or you can’t stop yourself from playing games, gambling, or compulsively checking your smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device, then you may be using the Internet too much and developing an addictive pattern.

How Much is Too Much?

The Web provides a constantly evolving source of information and entertainment and can be accessed from most smartphones as well as tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

These devices are so widely available now that most 10 year olds you know will own at least one of them!

But how much use is too much?

Obviously every person’s internet use will be different.

You may need to use the Internet extensively for your work, for example, or perhaps you might rely on social networking sites to keep in touch with friends and family, particularly those who live long distances away.

Spending a lot of time on-line only really becomes a problem, as is the case with all addictive activities, when it absorbs so much time that you end up neglecting your relationships, your work, your school time, or other important things in your life.

How Does Internet Addiction Occur?

Many people turn to the Internet in order to manage unpleasant feelings such as stress, depression or anxiety.

If you have a bad day and need to escape from your problems then the Internet can be an easily accessible outlet.

Losing yourself on-line can temporarily make feelings such as loneliness or boredom disappear very quickly.

Although the internet can provide a sense of comfort, it’s important to remember that there are healthier (and more effective) ways to deal with difficult feelings.

These may include exercising more or learning to relax.

For many people, an important aspect of overcoming Internet and computer addiction is to find alternate ways to handle these difficult feelings.

So, it’s worth spending some time thinking about the different ways you intend to deal with stressful situations and the daily irritations that would normally have you logging on.

Internet addiction and associated problems invariably responds well to the types of therapy that we offer here in Wolverhampton.

Signs and Symptoms of Internet Addiction

The signs and symptoms of Internet addiction vary from person to person, but may include any, or all of the following:

Losing track of time on-line.

• Do you frequently find yourself on the Internet longer than you intended?
• Does a few minutes turn in to a few hours before you notice?
• Do you get irritated or annoyed if your on-line time is interrupted?

Having trouble completing tasks at work or home.

• Do you find your dirty laundry piling up or hardly any food in the house for dinner because you’ve been busy on-line?
• Perhaps you find yourself working late more often because you can’t complete your work on time and then staying even longer when everyone else has gone home so you can use the Internet more freely.

Isolation from family and friends.

• Is your social life suffering because of all the time you spend on-line?
• Are you neglecting your family and friends?
• Do you feel like no one in your “real” life understands you like your on-line friends do?

Feeling guilty or defensive about your Internet use.

• Are you sick of your partner nagging you to get off the computer and spend more time together?
• Do you hide your Internet use or lie to your boss and family about the amount of time you spend on the internet and what you do while you’re on-line?

Feeling a sense of euphoria while involved in Internet activities.

• Do you use the Internet as an outlet for stress or for sexual gratification or other forms of excitement?
• Have you tried to limit your Internet time but failed?

If you recognise any of these behavioural patterns then you might be developing an Internet Addiction and you need to act.

Find out if you are experiencing the symptoms or behaviours that are commonly linked to addictions by taking the addictive behaviour quiz on the Tranceform Psychology site here (opens a new window).

Hypnotherapy for Internet Addiction

Hypnotherapy can be particularly effective for helping people to locate and then use many of their own inner strengths and resources to combat the problems associated with Internet Addiction.

In this respect, hypnotherapy helps a person to ‘help themselves’ in very much the same way as other therapeutic approaches.

Taking anywhere between 6 and 10 sessions, hypnotherapy for Internet Addiction involves understanding how your earlier experiences, core beliefs and values have played a role in forming and reinforcing your phobia.

Hypnosis itself is very relaxing and allows you to explore memories and experiences related to Internet Addiction that you might want to re-think in order to produce more positive responses and outcomes.

Hypnotherapy for Young Adults

Research into 18–25-year-olds seeking therapy found that there are a number of barriers to help-seeking including difficulty identifying the problem, concerns about stigma, preference for self-reliance and uncertainty about where to go for help.

At Wolverhampton Hypnotherapy we have developed two distinct pathways to address these specific limitations, firstly a page dedicated to hypnotherapy for young adults and secondly, a page outlining how parents can help their son or daughter access therapy without taking-over or imposing the need for therapy upon them.

Initial Consultations

Joan offers all prospective clients a low cost (£30) initial consultation to discuss your mental health concerns.

During this 50 minute consultation Joan will discuss the various options that are available to you and make a considered recommendation based on your individual personal circumstances.

At Wolverhampton Hypnotherapy we understand the importance of the therapeutic relationship and so place a great emphasis on being able to meet PRIOR to agreeing any kind of help.

Our policy is to help people make a fully balanced & considered decision about undertaking therapy with us, including both the financial, work-load and personal implications.

E-mail joan at:

Joan@WolverhamptonHypnotherapy.co.uk