Discussion of Internet Addiction as Mental Illness Resurfaces

Lone Writer writes "The editorial section of the American Journal of Psychiatry for March offers the opinion that Internet addiction is a 'compulsive-impulsive' disorder, and should be added to the official guidebook of disorders. The editorial characterizes net addiction as including 'excessive gaming, [online] sexual pre-occupations and e-mail/text messaging'. From the article: 'Like other addicts, users experience cravings, urges, withdrawal and tolerance, requiring more and better equipment and software, or more and more hours online, according to Dr. Jerald Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. Dr. Block says people can lose all track of time or neglect "basic drives," like eating or sleeping. Relapse rates are high, he writes, and some people may need psychoactive medications or hospitalization."

Comments

Re:So how much is too much?

[Roachgod]

It is worse because it doesn't give you the incentive to get the fuck out of your house and go meet actual people. Go outside, get some sun, and go start talking to attractive men/women/whateveryourpreferenceis and develop the ability to make real connections with people. Seriously, we don't need drugs for this shit, we need people to get kicked out of their house and down to a local pub or random other social venue. Hell, www.meetup.com.