Addiction to internet 'is an illness'

[Sweetpea]

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

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.

Addiction to internet 'is an illness' | Technology | The Observer


Oh dear! When we lose internet connection I am distraught. Much worse than losing water or power. If the network goes down at work, I am bereft and feel cut off from the world. I even now insist on internet connect in hotels. The computer goes on before the kettle in the morning, it is the last thing to be shut down at night. If I cannot sleep I get up and put on the computer. We have 3 PC's and two laptops. I can also access the internet on my PDA and phone.

Is there any hope for me?

[Bruv]

No !

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

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

Hmm. Sometimes. Quite often I forget that I have beer in the fridge.

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

Only when at home. If it is unavailable at wotrk, it is no use me going in. Because THAT'S my job.

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

My Computer is 750 Meg, with no sound card and runs Windows 2000. YEAH, RIGHT!

· Negative repercussions, including arguments.

Do I EVER argue????

I ASK you! What RUBBISH!

[Hekna]

I am, without a doubt, addicted to the internet. I am distraught if it goes down at work OR at home. If it's down at work then what else am I supposed to do when I am bored? Or if the boss winds me up and I decide to look for a new job?! I can't last very long without it. It is such an amazing thing and allows us to easily stay in touch with people all over the world, transfer information at the click of a button, access all sorts of information...the list goes on. I love it!

It is research I like it most for.

I mean, before the internet, if I had needed some info Saturday night, I would have been fucked till Tuesday, when the library opened THEN I would probably have needed to order the book, IF I knew what book the bloody information was in in the first place.

NOW, three O'clock in the morning, I need to know the figures for juvenile arrests for Burglary in Hamburg, BUMPH! three seconds later it is there.

GREAT!

[Sweetpea]

Pity you don't have a decent computer to with it Von.

The computer is not TOO bad for research.

It is when sound comes into it, or large word files, it is bloody slow opening some of them.

Other than that it is livable.

Considering the price of a half way decent new one, any way.

[Sweetpea]

Oh come on, they have come down in price a whole lot. You can an all singing, all dancing 80G laptop for about £400

400 I don't need to spend.