| It is impossible to deny the incredible significance of | | | | dependency. Higher rates of addiction are seen |
| the internet and the effects its development has had | | | | mostly in Asian nations like South Korea and China |
| on the world. Today the internet touches nearly | | | | where the popularity of internet cafes is high and the |
| every aspect of our daily lives; we shop online, we | | | | condition is easier to track because of its public |
| keep in touch through email, banking and credit can | | | | nature. In fact, data from 2006 stated that |
| be taken care of through one click of a mouse, news | | | | approximately 210,000 South Korean children (2.1%) |
| from all over the world blinks up at us from the | | | | were afflicted with internet addiction with about 80% |
| screen every time we log on, and communities of | | | | requiring treatment that included the use of |
| people from all over the planet are connected. | | | | psychotropic medication. Another interesting aspect |
| Despite its obvious countless advantages, there is a | | | | of IAD is that most often individuals who suffer from |
| rising concern regarding the overuse of the internet | | | | it also are battling another mental illness. In particular, |
| on a personal level. There are more and more people | | | | mood, anxiety, impulse control and substance abuse |
| each day who feel a compulsive need to be | | | | disorders are common in conjunction with internet |
| connected to the internet, a need that some | | | | overuse. |
| scientists and psychiatrists have begun to consider an | | | | Research has traced other behavioral addictions like |
| addiction. This issue drew major media attention in | | | | gambling and shopping to biological foundations; |
| March of this year when Dr. Jerald Block published an | | | | however the current research on internet addiction |
| editorial in the American Journal of Psychiatry arguing | | | | merely distinguishes it as a growing issue and draws |
| that "Internet Addiction" should be included in the | | | | parallels to other types of addictions. More studies |
| Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders | | | | need to be performed on this new phenomenon in |
| (DSM-V), a handbook published by the American | | | | order to properly characterize it as an addiction or as |
| Psychiatric Association of recognized psychological | | | | simply a destructive behavior. |
| conditions. Block raised the question of whether this | | | | While the internet may not officially be an addiction, |
| new phenomenon should be classified as a disease or | | | | there are still many individuals out there who would |
| written off as a bad habit. | | | | benefit from treatment. There are currently no |
| The traditional view of addiction generally applies to | | | | proven forms of effective treatment and no available |
| substances like drugs or alcohol and is seen as a | | | | psychotropic medications for IAD. However, like with |
| result of a combination of genetic and social | | | | other addictive habits, cognitive behavioral therapy |
| influences. However, in recent years the definition of | | | | may be effective. Cognitive therapy is essentially a |
| addiction has expanded to include different behaviors | | | | method that identifies and helps a person to correct |
| like gambling and over-eating. The question that | | | | specific errors in what he or she is thinking that |
| remains to be seen is if there are enough similarities | | | | produces negative or painful feelings. According to |
| between traditional addiction and this so called | | | | New York Therapist Dr. Allison Conner of Cognitive |
| internet addiction to warrant its acceptance as a | | | | Therapy Associates, an internet addiction could be |
| disease by the mental health community. For now it | | | | treated similarly to other addictions. She asserts that, |
| is officially titled Internet Addictive Disorder (IAD) or | | | | "so many changes need to occur in the person's |
| Internet Overuse Syndrome (IOS) and not | | | | lifestyle (mental, emotional, physical, social), and |
| recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. | | | | support is crucial. A guide or coach is often essential |
| Block argues that Internet addiction is characterized | | | | to help ensure success, but most important is the |
| by the same four factors as traditional addiction: | | | | willingness of the addicted person to get real with |
| excessive use, withdrawal, tolerance, and negative | | | | themselves and stay committed to the goal of |
| repercussions. He contends that users are on the | | | | recovery." |
| internet for so much time that they are unaware of | | | | While we may not see Internet Addiction in the |
| how many hours have gone by, and neglect other | | | | DSM-V handbook anytime soon, the issue is |
| basic human desires, often forgetting to eat or use | | | | controversial and becoming ever more widespread. |
| the bathroom. Users feel angry, depressed, and | | | | Ironically enough, you can even look up online |
| tense when access to the internet is limited and | | | | resources if you feel you need help. |
| frequently need better tools and more time of use | | | | Sources: |
| to experience the original satisfaction. Internet addicts | | | | Block, Jerald J. (2008). Issues for DSM-V: Internet |
| also face such harmful consequences as social | | | | Addiction. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 165, |
| isolation and poor achievement. The statistics | | | | 306-307. |
| regarding the prevalence of internet addiction in the | | | | Goldsborough, Reid, (2008). Internet Addiction |
| U.S. vary widely. A random telephone survey | | | | Afflicting a Growing Number of Web |
| estimated 0.3-0.7% of Americans are afflicted, while | | | | Surfers. Community College Week, Vol. 20 Issue 11, |
| Maressa Hecht Orzack of McLean Hospital in | | | | 0, 22-22. |
| Massachusetts, estimates that nearly 10% of | | | | Shaw, Martha Black, Donald W. (2008). Internet |
| Americans have experienced some sort of internet | | | | Addiction. CNS Drugs, Vol. 22, Issue 5, 13, 353-365. |