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Discussion of Internet Addiction as Mental Illness Resurfaces

Posted by Zonk on from the i-can't-quit-you-internets dept.

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."

13 of 279 comments (clear)

  1. Maybe by a+whoabot · · Score: 4, Funny

    I definitely reject eating when I'm doing stuff on the computer, but not sleeping.

    1. Re:Maybe by abe+ferlman · · Score: 4, Funny

      Lol like I'd forget to eat and pass up that stamina/spirit buff? Preposterous. /sleep is just for rp tho.

      --
      microsoftword.mp3 - it doesn't care that they're not words...
  2. What kind of drugs do they give out for this? by hilather · · Score: 5, Funny

    I display all the symptoms, but I'm cool with that, I just want to score some drugs.

  3. Nonsense by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Funny

    C'mon, put me in a mental institution and you'll notice that I'm allright.

    They do have internet connection there now, right? Right???

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  4. I'll step away from the computer by sleeponthemic · · Score: 5, Funny

    When Dr. Jerald Block prescribes me some pussy.

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    I record my sleeptalking
    1. Re:I'll step away from the computer by gnick · · Score: 4, Funny

      When Dr. Jerald Block prescribes me some pussy. Actually, gender reassignment may work. From what I hear, there are no girls on the internet.
      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  5. Re:Nonsense by NewYorkCountryLawyer · · Score: 4, Funny

    I personally think anything over 22 hours a day is excessive.

    Fortunately I have things in perspective.

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    Ray Beckerman +5 Insightful
  6. Re:Who defines "excessive?" by pandrijeczko · · Score: 5, Funny
    I seem to recall the late and great American comedian Bill Hicks defining "excessive masturbation" as being the point when only "air comes out".

    I don't know if that helps with your definition.

    --
    Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
  7. Honestly Dr. Block... by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 3, Funny

    People with obsessive-compulsive disorders are the last people you want to make angry!

    --
    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
  8. Re:Double-you tea eff?! by Dun+Malg · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's the equivalent of a /.er pulling shit from the jargon file to make himself sound like a "real hacker". Gimme a break. Foo! Take your eighty-column mind down El Camino Bignum to Berzerkley and watch the blinkenlights.
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    If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
  9. Re:Call me a cook if you want ... by Kamineko · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why bother calling a cook when GP has rejected eating?

  10. it's true, you know by youthoftoday · · Score: 3, Funny

    I had to check my email, facebook and the slashdot front page three times whilst writing this comment.

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    -1 not first post
  11. Re:The Sickness Industry at "work". by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why should I listen to a compulsive air breather?