An editorial piece in the March issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry says compulsive internet use which can include "excessive gaming, sexual pre-occupations and e-mail/text messaging" should be classified as a mental illness, under the parameters of addiction.
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Similar to addicts of other behaviors or substances, users experience cravings, withdrawal, and tolerance which only lead to more of a dependence on the activity and increased hours on the interwebs. Some users even neglect basic human needs like eating or sleeping.
Dr. Jerald Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland says about 86% of internet addicts have some other additional mental illness but unless a psychiatrist is looking for it, they could easily miss the internet component.
British psychiatrists said last year that a mere 5-10% of internet users are addicts but China and South Korea are already addressing the problem after 10 people died in internet cafés in South Korea from cardiopulmonary-related deaths. It's reported that 7 of them died due to online gaming and the South Korean officials have since trained more than 1,000 counselors in the treatment of internet addiction.
canada.com: Recognize Internet addiction as a mental illness, MD urges
We at G4's TheFeed are conscientious about the effect the internet can have on one's life. Please locate the following resources online if you or someone you love is struggling with internet addiction:
Internet Helpline Online
Addiction Helpcentre Forums
Blog Addicts Anonymous
