addiction Internet disorder
Photo by: Giuseppe Parisi
Definition
Internet addiction disorder refers to the problematic use of the Internet, including the various
aspects of its technology, such as electronic mail (e-mail) and the World Wide Web. The reader
should note that Internet addiction disorder is not listed in the mental health professional's
handbook, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , fourth edition, text
revision (2000), which is also called the DSM . Internet addiction has, however, been formally
recognized as a disorder by the American Psychological Association.
Description
In some respects, addictive use of the Internet resembles other so-called "process" addictions, in
which a person is addicted to an activity or behavior (including gambling, shopping, or certain
sexual behaviors) rather than a substance (mood-altering drugs, tobacco, food, etc.). People who
develop problems their with Internet use may start off using the Internet on a casual basis and
then progress to using the technology in dysfunctional ways. Many people believe that spending
large amounts of time on the Internet is a core feature of the disorder. The amount of time by
itself, however, is not as important a factor as the ways in which the person's Internet use is
interfering with their daily functioning. Use of the Internet may interfere with the person's social
life, school work, or job-related tasks at work. In addition, cases have been reported of persons
entering Internet chat rooms for people with serious illnesses or disorders, and pretending to be a
patient with that disorder in order to get attention or sympathy. Treatment options often mirror
those for other addictions. Although only a limited amount of research has been done on this
disorder, the treatments that have been used appear to be effective.