| Author |
Addiction to the net is "an illness" |
fatreg
Joined: Jul 26, 2003
Posts: > 500
PM |
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.
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. In China it has been reported that 13.7 per cent of adolescent internet users, about 10 million, could be considered addicts.
Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, writes that the extent of the disorder is more difficult to estimate in America because people tend to surf at home instead of in internet cafes. But he believes there are similar cases, concluding: 'Unfortunately internet addiction is resistant to treatment, entails significant risks and has high relapse rates.' He told The Observer that he did not believe specific websites were responsible. 'The relationship is with the computer,' he said. 'First, it becomes a significant other to them. Second, they exhaust emotions that they could experience in the real world on the computer, through any number of mechanisms: emailing, gaming, porn. Third, computer use occupies a tremendous amount of time in their life. Then if you try to cut the cord in a very abrupt fashion, they've lost essentially their best friend. That can take the form of depression or rage.'
Harry Husted, a single 51-year-old from New York, spends 16 hours a day on the internet. He insists that he is not addicted, but admits that he used to be. 'I used to work with computers for eight hours, then get home and go online for seven hours. I would stay up till two or three in the morning until I got so sleepy I had to go to bed. I wouldn't go out to get the groceries and I couldn't have cared less about friends, TV, anything. After a while I realised what was happening and did something about it. Now if I use MySpace it's only to advertise my business.'
Internet addiction clinics have sprung up around the world in an attempt to wean people off their need for a fix. Many people have turned, apparently without irony, to web discussion boards with names such as Internet Addicts Anonymous. The Centre for Internet Addiction Recovery in Bradford, Pennsylvania, says internet addiction has become a growing legal issue in criminal, divorce and employment cases. It offers a consultation service to lawyers that includes 'assessing the role of electronic anonymity in the development of deviant, deceptive and illegal sexual online activities'.
Robert Freedman, editor of the American Journal of Psychiatry, said expressions of the addiction could be diverse. 'In Korea, it seems to be primarily gaming sites. In America, it seems to be Facebook. It's porn, it's games, it's gambling, it's chatting with friends. All these things existed before, but now they're a lot easier.'
To beat the addiction, he advised: 'A self-help group might be a place to start. Maybe replace an online group with a real one.'
Are you a net junkie?
If you answer 'yes' to five or more of these questions, you may have an internet addiction.
· Do you feel preoccupied with the internet? (Think about your online activity or anticipate your next online session.)
· Do you need increasing amounts of time on the net in order to achieve satisfaction?
· Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop internet use?
· Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop internet use?
· Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
· Have you jeopardised or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the internet?
· Have you lied to family members, a therapist or others to conceal the extent of your involvement with the internet?
· Do you use it to escape from problems (eg, feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?
http://www.netaddiction.com/
I think I'm terminal 
| |
|
arien617
Joined: Feb 01, 2006
Posts: > 500
PM |
Only answered yes to 3 of those questions 
Yay!
|
se_p800
Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 273
From: England
PM, WWW
|
· Do you feel preoccupied with the internet? (Think about your online activity or anticipate your next online session.)
yes
· Do you need increasing amounts of time on the net in order to achieve satisfaction?
Yes
· Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop internet use?
Yes
· Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop internet use?
not really
· Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
yes too much longer
· Have you jeopardised or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the internet?
yes
· Have you lied to family members, a therapist or others to conceal the extent of your involvement with the internet?
yes :S
· Do you use it to escape from problems (eg, feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?
erm I dont think so.
Is there a fuking cure coz I seriously need help lol.
Like playing Call of Duty?
Then sign up to www.forumwarfare.com! |
Danny_BFC
Joined: Jun 18, 2006
Posts: 499
From: Barnsley, Phone,
PM |
Internet addiction would be to me not wanting to close 32 internet explorer 6's to upgrade to firefox and have it tabbed, so you dont miss a second of the internet
Im not fussed about phones/gadgets no more. If im online im in the Non-Mobile discussion  |
fatreg
Joined: Jul 26, 2003
Posts: > 500
PM |
still think I need help, I answered no to 2 of them questions
|
Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: England
PM, WWW
|
Strangely enough, I can honestly answer "No" to every single one of those questions.
So there's the cure, folks: Get a job in the IT industry and you'll be sick and tired of computers and The Internet in no time at all!
|
fatreg
Joined: Jul 26, 2003
Posts: > 500
PM |
ah but I love the outdoors Cyco, working outdoors is what I've always wanted to do.... so if you can find me an IT job outdoors I'll be on to it!
|
Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: England
PM, WWW
|
Yeah, that might be a little tricky I must admit 
|
max_wedge
Joined: Aug 29, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Australia
PM, WWW
|
· Do you feel preoccupied with the internet? (Think about your online activity or anticipate your next online session.)
no
· Do you need increasing amounts of time on the net in order to achieve satisfaction?
no (but I spend about 8-12 hours a day on it)
· Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop internet use?
Are you crazy? Of course not. I enjoy it way too much to try and stop.
· Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop internet use?
no (see question above)
· Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
no, I always intended to be on for a long time anyway!
· Have you jeopardised or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the internet?
no, i fix my friends internet connections so I have no shortage of friends! My career involves many hours of internet use.
· Have you lied to family members, a therapist or others to conceal the extent of your involvement with the internet?
No, I'm quite honest with them about it.
· Do you use it to escape from problems (eg, feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?
No, I'm too busy on the internet to even know if I have feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression
So as you can see, I don't have a problem
| |
|
Access the forum with a mobile phone via esato.mobi
|
Posted: 2008-03-23 19:32
