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by amyk from Lake Mary, FL

Last Post 3 days, 11 hours Ago


Internet addiction is a 'clinical disorder'

By Andy Bloxham  Last updated: 5:23 PM BST 19/06/2008

Sufferers spend unhealthy amounts of time playing online games, viewing pornography or emailing.

They suffer four symptoms: They forget to eat and sleep; they need more advanced technology or more hours online as they develop 'resistance' to the pleasure given by their current system; if they are deprived of their computer, they experience genuine withdrawal symptoms; And in common with other addictions, the victims also begin to have more arguments, to suffer fatigue, to get lower marks in tests and to feel isolated from society.

Early research into the subject found highly educated, socially awkward men were the most likely sufferers but more recent work suggests it is now more of a problem for middle-aged women who are spending hours at home on their computers.

Psychiatrist Dr Jerald Block said some sufferers were so addicted to the internet that they required medication or even hospital treatment to curb the time they spent on the web.

He said: "The relationship is with the computer. It becomes a significant other to them. They exhaust emotions that they could experience in the real world on the computer through any number of mechanisms: emailing, gaming, porn."

He added: "It's much more acceptable for kids to talk about game use, whereas adults keep it a secret. Rather than having sex, or arguing with their wife or husband, or feeding their children, these adults are playing games."

Dr Block, of the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, in the USA, first made the claims in an editorial for the American Journal of Psychiatry.

British psychiatrists have previously reported that between five and 10 per cent of online users are internet addicts.

 

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If I had to guess.. I'd say it's much higher than 5 to 10 percent.

Do you know any internet addicts?  Are you worried you might become one (or already are)?

 

 

20 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 20
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swansong2 read my blog view my photos
Jun 19, 2008 | 8:19 PM

I will tell you after my fifteen minute nap

candyaquino read my blog view my photos
Jun 19, 2008 | 8:22 PM

Well I am not an internet addict NEVER WAS thank God...but I have ta tell ya...BLOGGIN has become an addiction for me...I know when I don't blog.....even peek...its just so tempting..LOL..

Amy is always nice to see you specially on tonight..hope you have a great evening.

amyk read my blog
Jun 19, 2008 | 8:47 PM

Thanks Candy =) I really like the new picture you're using!

Hawkeye read my blog
Jun 19, 2008 | 9:00 PM

Sorry..I was busy blogging..What was the question???

candyaquino read my blog view my photos
Jun 19, 2008 | 9:14 PM

Why Thank You.I NEED CHANGE..oops now I sound like a democrat.lmaofff. I have others need to get this computer cleaned IT IS SO slow today.

HEY I GOT AN IDEA..since O'Neil is helping out with Mortgages any chance you can send him my way. After all, I am the biggest critic and what the heck..I can show him where to put some of those Millions..lmaoff BUT I AM SERIOUS. Have a great night. God Bless all of you and as always be safe.

Hawkeye....you are too funny these days.

candyaquino read my blog view my photos
Jun 19, 2008 | 9:15 PM

would make a good topic for the news combined with Your blog on Nightmare Mortgages...lol..sorry ok time for bed.

J_Darrowin read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 4:16 AM

Well, I was definately guilty of the first one, internet gaming. I used to play "Everquest" alot when it first came out. One time, I was on the game from 8:00 am to 6:00 am. No, that's not a typo. They called it "Evercrack" for a reason.

I still play online games, but I'm not anywhere near as bad as I used to be. I can safely call it a "hobby" now, not an addiction.

Ericjhach read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 6:00 AM

I need my computer, help.
Who stole my computer? No wait I'm on it.

But seriously folks, some can call it an adiction and some call it a passion but you got to remember; MODERN TECHNOLOGY JUST ENOUGH TO ANNOY YA.

AC_Cages read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 6:20 AM

Im lucky to get on and even blog once a week latley. The Pine Hills area has been keeping me busy.
I can get the internet on my PDA phone but I dont seem to even have time to look at it either.
I dont see how many of these bloggers are on here and leave responces at all times of the day or even some are all day long with no breaks in time periods.

RNC08 read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 6:31 AM

That is a terrible thing to say I spend 5 to 8 hours a day every day on the net and I see no evidence that any one out here is addicted to the net ! ...
OK so I have a problem , now tell me where to go for detox ...and do they have high speed wireless for my laptop ? I will not go anywhere with out it !
Hey JD you only played for 22 hours straight ...they would call you a “quitter” in most current gaming circles LOL I have two games going right now one has been up for 8 months and the other is going on 6 months continuous (Space invasion and Dark Orbit ) ...head on down to Bigpoint.com they have a bit of everything even “mini games” to kill time between moves in your main game.

RNC08 read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 6:33 AM

Fact is anyone who is off line for more hours than they are on is pretty much a Luddite ! ...anyone know where I can get a water proof monitor ? I feel naked when I am in the shower without a connection.

NeZe read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 6:58 AM

I'm not sure if this counts as being addicted, but a while ago, there was a blog that ended up with over 15,000 comments!

There was a good group of people that was commenting in the morning, in the middle of the day, in the evening, at night and even at 3 or 4 in the morning!!

I thought that blog was great!

Blogging is fun and perhaps a little addictive, too!! ~ LOL

Gammies61 read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 10:13 AM

I like FOX35 Blogs. They are interesting. I think I have a slight addiction. Wow, over 15,000. Cool!

candyaquino read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 11:06 AM

NeZe...maybe we are in the makings of a chit chat BLOGS...lol

Gorilla read my blog
Jun 20, 2008 | 1:07 PM

I enjoy these blogs for the intelligent conversation and thought provoking, but all the time I spend on here is multi tasked between music production, and writing menus...
I enjoy my down-time and intend to take full-advantage...

RNC08 read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 4:39 PM

Gorilla does have a point , I bet most of us multi task (I know the games don't count) but I am constantly studying one thing or another and just pop in here to get ideas and see what others are thinking ...on my own I tend to mis a lot of what is going on around me in my singular focus on technology...watching the blogs lets me pretend to be more connected with other humans (without the imposition of actual human contact!)

J_Darrowin read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 5:38 PM

Just checked out that link, RNC. Ooooh, looks interesting! I know where *I'll* be at for a while!

DaytonaFrank read my blog view my photos
Jun 21, 2008 | 5:04 PM

Well, I would say 99% of the time I spend online is blogging!
Yes, I am addicted! I have even skipped dinner a couple of times, and once debated with norty until 7 AM!

I am not so bad now, but still spend way too much time on the blog!

NeZe read my blog view my photos
Jun 22, 2008 | 6:11 AM

LOL, Candy ~ I wish we could have the Chat Room open all the time. The last time I used it was when Robbie Carrico was live at FOX.

RNC: What is human contact?? ~ ROFLOL

WOW, DaytonaFrank!! 99% is a lot of time!! You are now the Master!! ~ LOL

DaytonaFrank read my blog view my photos
Jun 23, 2008 | 6:45 PM

Well thanks NeZe, but I am sure others spend more time blogging than I do. The 99% is the time I spend blogging, of all the time I spend on the internet. The other 1% is checking my e mail, and responding if necessary. I do not get much e mail.

But yes, 6-8 hours of blogging is excessive!

If I did not blog, I really wouldn't need a computer at all! LOL!

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amyk

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Member Since: 8/4/2006