Cleopatra

How many hours do you spend on the net each day and do you think you're addicted? South Korea has taken internet addiction very seriously indeed:

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


Addiction to internet 'is an illness'

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)?

__________________
"Then they pull down their filthy trousers, squat over a massive, subsidised ditch and evacuate their corrupt, socialist bowels all over a photograph of Shakespeare."

tito

· Do you feel preoccupied with the internet? (Think about your online activity or anticipate your next online session.)
Sometimes
· Do you need increasing amounts of time on the net in order to achieve satisfaction?
No; its hard to spend any more waking hours online.
· Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop internet use?
No.
· Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop internet use?
No.
· Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
Yes.
· Have you jeopardised or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the internet?
Never been in the situation.
· Have you lied to family members, a therapist or others to conceal the extent of your involvement with the internet?
No.
· Do you use it to escape from problems (eg, feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?
No.

__________________
For life, Liberty and Prosperity
http://lpuk.org/

Cleopatra

I was badly addicted to the net a couple of years ago. I couldn't wait to get back home and thrash out British issues. It affected my sleep and I found myself denying I was on the computer when a family member would ring and say "you're not on that bloody computer again are you?". I would deny it and tap softly.

I'm not as bad now as I had a six month break back then, but I have noticed that it's creeping up on me again. I have the computer permanently on in the living room so I can regularly check e-mails (it takes too long to load up), anyway, as my pc is in the living room I find that every time I have a cup of tea I surf the net and I do notice how the time disappears. I have also noticed how addicted to tea I am. Oh, I've noticed that I'm not sleeping well either, I feel like I have a hangover most mornings and I rarely drink.

I think maybe I just have an addictive personality. I used to laugh at people who used the net all the time, but then again I didn't know how to work anything.... even an e-mail. I guess that's what karma is.

Anyway, time to boil the kettle, my tea has gone cold.

__________________
"Then they pull down their filthy trousers, squat over a massive, subsidised ditch and evacuate their corrupt, socialist bowels all over a photograph of Shakespeare."

John Connor

Right, can I get a disabled sticker for my car then?

__________________
There are three types of people in this world: Libertarians, fascists and those who haven't been paying attention.
Russia: The largest tax haven on the planet. Which annoys the US a tad since they believe that they won the Cold War.

Users on ignore list: Akria, Besoeker, Clippo, david H, Ian C.

tito

Actually, it does interfere with my sleep. But I have a general reluctance to sleep, and will do anything to delay it.

__________________
For life, Liberty and Prosperity
http://lpuk.org/

steve fowler

Honestly, some work nights and few hours at weekend but has it stopped my life simple answer NO!.

__________________
RULE BRITANNIA BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES, BRITONS NEVER EVER SHALL BE SLAVE'S.

Never give in - never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
Winston Churchill.

When Labour won the 1997 General Election, Enoch Powell told his wife that the electorate had voted to break up the United Kingdom.

tito

I think I'd rather work all night and sleep all day.

__________________
For life, Liberty and Prosperity
http://lpuk.org/

steve fowler

Have to get up before 11:00 a.m or i get bored and cant sleep anymore.

__________________
RULE BRITANNIA BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES, BRITONS NEVER EVER SHALL BE SLAVE'S.

Never give in - never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
Winston Churchill.

When Labour won the 1997 General Election, Enoch Powell told his wife that the electorate had voted to break up the United Kingdom.

tito

I'd have to find someone else nocturnal though too, or I'd be pretty lonely.

__________________
For life, Liberty and Prosperity
http://lpuk.org/

John Connor

There ya go Tito.

Meet Me at HOT or NOT

__________________
There are three types of people in this world: Libertarians, fascists and those who haven't been paying attention.
Russia: The largest tax haven on the planet. Which annoys the US a tad since they believe that they won the Cold War.

Users on ignore list: Akria, Besoeker, Clippo, david H, Ian C.