Internet Addiction

[thegnat]

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Internet addictions: A real medical menace?
Alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and even shopping are all candidates for medical treatment and are recognized as genuine mental disorders, so what about the Internet? Internet addiction -defined as "excessive gaming, sexual pre-occupations, and email/text messaging" - is becoming so common that at least one psychiatrist says it merits inclusion in psychiatry's official handbook of mental illness, the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

There is more of this article at the link I listed.

But what do you think about it? Do you think that internet addiction should be a real medical affliction so to speak? If so, how do you think it should be treated? Feel free to add any other comments or opinions related that weren't in those questions I asked.

[AgentofGaming]

I'm not sure if its an addiction or a lack of healthier preferences but I spend quite a bit of time on the net.
I honestly don't know whats more entertaining thats available for me to do other than being on the Internet.
However it is a undoubtedly a menace when going on the Internet is more attractive than performing the higher priority tasks.

So perhaps procrastination is what needs to be cured.

[Zilal]

I don't think it necessarily needs to be its own disorder, but it's probably specific enough that it should have its own treatment strategies.

[Ainegue]

Well, personally I think I'm partially internet addicted. A much safer alternative to everything people aways say it's bad for you to do (drink, smoke, etc). If even shopping is considered an addiction, then yes I do think internet addiction should be put in the book of medical disorders (currently too lazy to go back to the top of the page and look up the name). But treatment for something like that is pretty easy: Step 1. Destroy computer. Step 2. Help patient get over depression Step 3. Patient is happy again. (just kidding)

[Motor Jax]

ha ha

i spend almost every waking moment near a comp, whether at job 1 or job 2

and then when i get home, i am camped out in front of my pc (after my 1 hr/day accordian practice)

maybe i should extend that out to 2 hrs/day?

[IgnoranceIsKind]

Yes it should be a disorder on its own. My addiction to the internet and the wealth of information it provides are sometimes more destructive than constructive. While I am constantly on the search for articles to read etc., my studies are neglected. Facebook doesn't quite help with that..

[DeadSpace]

Internet addiction...heh, was addicted to libraries before the net...wasn't considered a bad thing. or anything. Bleh, seems everything you do alot of can be considered an addiction anymore....wonder when breathing will have it's own treatment regimen to 'break the habit'.

It's community, knowledge, entertainment, all rolled into one easily accessible location...your nearest net connection. Instead of having everything scattered among different electronics and venues (tv, stereo, bars, pubs, libraries, even classes)...you have the luxury of having everything in one place at your fingertips. Addictive? anything can be. Instant gratification here, reward at once. Could be very addictive...but so is searching through stacks of books(when you find what you want), meeting people and listening to bands in a bar/concert. All reward you in some way...net just does it faster through more avenues.

[Sylvanus]

Not addicted, just a big procrastinator.

I could easily have a 4.0 average in my classes if I turned everything in on time. I started with all A's, every term since has been all B's, getting closer and closer to C's. I've almost been dropped this term due to missing assignments, I turned the last two in just in the nick of time. All due to me being far more interested in actual learning than in the pseudo-learning I get at college.

[lei]

How about forum addiction? is anyone addicted to this forum?

I use this forum now to refresh myself from sleepiness during study. I make sure I don't get addicted to it. But it is addictive, isn't it?

[Sylvanus]

This is definitely the my most watched/used forum right now. Making it the number one offender for causing my procrastination.

[ethsar46]

I would probly spend the amount of hours people might classify as addiction on the net. But thats including work (i work with internet based apps). Plus i never have enough work so i hang out in forums etc.

I also play alot of PC games online, so i guess i wouldnt really count that.

[OmegaPsi]

How old is this article? Because if I'm not mistaken, Internet Addiction has been turned down several times for its inclusion into the DSM.

[dandylion]

You say addiction like it's a bad thing.

[Caramel]

Internet addiction? Humans are addicted to communicating and sharing information with eachother. But why would it matter if they do it over a forum, or a telephone, or a chatbox, or face to face?

[sriv]

You say addiction like it's a bad thing.

Addiction is always a bad thing. Moderation is key.

[suzyk]

Oh, come on. Addiction is downright fun, y'know, last week I was drowning myself in a bottle of vodka. But then I had to get my stomach detoxed. Good times.

I'm addicted to the internet, forums primarily. I can get off anytime I want, thanks to my willpower. Kids these days need to get a strong willpower.

[Alstroemeria]

Internet addiction is fairly common in my home country, S. Korea. It's not surprising considering the ubiquitousness of fast internet connection and the development of online gaming into something like a sport (there are TV channels dedicated to it, professional gamers who are backed by corporate sponsors compete in tournaments, et cetera). Hearing a news story about some teenager/grown man dying after some non-stop gaming session isn't that surprising. Uh, anyway... I'm not familiar with the exact definition of "addiction" but the habits of some online gamers do seriously interfere with their lives, exhibiting withdrawal and other addiction-like symptoms. Other countries might have them as well, but S. Korea has rehab centers for internet addiction, with an emphasis on online gaming. I guess that means they acknowledge it as a medical disorder, at least.

It's a finer line with other activities. Excessive pornography-watching can simply be a sex addict using the internet; same with compulsive gamblers and shoppers who use the internet as their medium. You can spend all day on the internet using forums and communicating with others without being an addict, I think, as long as you don't develop a psychological need for it.

[vad1981]

I'm also net addicted...people find it weird that I just read endlessly about random things...

Yep...I was also a BBS addict before the Web came about (never a telnet/irc addict though), and a library addict before that ...


When to stop, in my opinion: when it starts to hurt you in outside life (relationships, trouble at work, etc.)...:scared: