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Addiction to the internet 'is an illness'

B

Blue Velvet

Moderator emeritus
Original poster
Jul 4, 2004
21,929
265
This is a bit depressing and I'm sure that most of us can recognise ourselves in some of this...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/mar/23/news.internet

New evidence shows that heavy users suffer isolation, fatigue and withdrawal symptoms.


Tense? Angry? Can't get online? Internet addiction is now a serious public health issue that should be officially recognised as a clinical disorder, according to a leading psychiatrist.

Excessive gaming, viewing online pornography, emailing and text messaging have been identified as causes of a compulsive-impulsive disorder by Dr Jerald Block, author of an editorial for the respected American Journal of Psychiatry. Block argues that the disorder is now so common that it merits inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the profession's primary resource to categorise and diagnose mental illnesses. He says internet addiction has four main components:

· Excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives;

· Withdrawal, including feelings of anger, tension and/or depression when the computer is inaccessible;

· The need for better computers, more software, or more hours of use;

· Negative repercussions, including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation and fatigue.
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The need for better computers? We're all doomed in that instance.



A primary case study is South Korea, which has the greatest use of broadband in the world. Block points out that 10 people died from blood clots from remaining seated for long periods in internet cafes and another was murdered because of an online game.

Their country now 'considers internet addiction one of its most serious public health issues'. The government estimates that around 210,000 South Korean children are affected and in need of treatment, of whom 80 per cent might need drugs targeting the brain and nearly a quarter could need to go to hospital.

Since the average high school pupil there spends about 23 hours per week gaming, Block notes, another 1.2 million are believed to be at risk of addiction and require basic counselling. There has been alarm over a rising number of addicts dropping out of school or quitting their jobs to spend more time on computers.
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At least I know why I feel the way I do now :eek:

Maybe I need to go to a support group
Wait, isn't that what MR is?

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
It may seem silly to you but any addiction is an illness. Whether your drug is illicit, exercise, the internet, sexual, whatever it may be... The body becomes dependent on some action or object and begins to rely on it for basic functionality, I'd call that an illness...:eek:
 
I think nearly everything that causes any level of stimulation could lead to addiction. Chemical or mental (which in and of itself creates brain chemistry differences)

Its all about how you choose to wire your mind.
 
Didn't we go through this not too long ago? Bottom line is most things done in excess is an addiction, whether it is good for you or not. It's all about self-regulation.
 
I wouldn't say its an addiction but a vital role in todays world. I mean its not necessarily a bad thing. We can communicate people easier than ever with instant messaging, social networking sites, and email. It also enables us to learn a lot about things we like, for example Apple Computers.

My name is Erik and I am addicted to my computer.

Not really, I've gone over a week without using a computer without any issues
 
· Excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives;

Nope. I still eat, use the restroom, etc. And I definitely have a sense of time when on the computer. Never up till 1:00, usually in bed by 11:00. Not so lucky with the ones below.

· Withdrawal, including feelings of anger, tension and/or depression when the computer is inaccessible;

To a slight degree, maybe just a little bit of depression. Only anger if someone stole my MBP. It's hard to tell as we've never been separated.

· The need for better computers, more software, or more hours of use;

I do own a MBP, so like the rest of us, I'm doomed. But my need for more software is met by open source. Also, it's terribly hard to get more computer use than I get now, so more hours isn't a problem.

· Negative repercussions, including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation and fatigue.

Hey, the social isolation started before the computers (first grade). And I still have good grades and stay more awake in class than any male in my school. Ack, I do have short debates about physics and logic in general with a certain friend, but it's all in good humor.

Anyway, I think I would be diagnosed "at risk". Besides, I'm not addicted so much to the internet as I am the computer in general. You know you have problems when you have a shirt that reads "Keep Out of Direct Sunlight", and you take it totally seriously.
 
Pshh, I was just without internet for three days, and I was fine.... mostly.

The need for better computers, more software, or more hours of use;
Click to expand...
No problems there, I'm happy with what the computer and software I have and happy with the time I spend on the internet.
Withdrawal, including feelings of anger, tension and/or depression when the computer is inaccessible;
Click to expand...
I must say, I was getting a little anxious on the third day, but it's all good now.:)
 
MacDawg said:
At least I know why I feel the way I do now :eek:

Maybe I need to go to a support group
Wait, isn't that what MR is?

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
Click to expand...

haha; Yes - the cure for an internet addiction should be an online support group.

I do get angry when I cannot access the Internet - but that usually is because my computer is messed up. So I'm not so much angry at my inability to reach the internet but more so the fact that my computer does not always cooperate (well, now that I only use a Mac that happens rarely, but in the past...)
 
Damn, I hope my mom doesn't see this. She'd throw this Dell out the window.

Most of you would say that that's a good thing, but she wouldn't get another, and this PowerBook has to go back to the school at the end of the year. We're gonna give it to an ancient nun that's been teaching for like fifty-five years and who won't have a computer of her own.
 
100% true.

I remember moving into a new place a few months back and so of course there was no internet for a few weeks and I was DYING. I was angry, depressed, etc. Not only do I need the internet for my work, but I also NEED to check MR regularly!
 
YIKES! :eek: I have all these symptoms! Better go check out WebMD!:rolleyes:

In all seriousness, if being "addicted" to the internet is an illness, then so be it, I don't think it would be all that bad of an illness, quite frankly (unless, of course, there are health problems). There's a lot of things that the internet is helpful for--finding apartments/homes, school studies, researching cars, etc.--and, IMO, it's a great pass time. I'm sure my mom would MUCH rather me on my Mac playing Starcraft (yes, I still play that :p), then to be out smoking and being one of those wild teens getting into car accidents. :cool:
 
Getting DVT from sitting in front of the computers too long seems extreme, don't we shift around or stretch instinctively? We are not talking about cramped areas...
 
Excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives
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I think someone alone with internet access isn't going to be neglecting at least some of their "basic drives"... if you know what I mean. ;)
 
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