Internet Addiction – A compulsive-impulsive disorder

Is your child stuck on the computer the whole day? Does he/she not have anything to do when off the computer? Are all of their friends in some other country of the world? Is the only group of friends that he/she has is on facebook? Then maybe the problem is a little more serious than you think it is.

There has been, in recent times, an entirely new body of work that has been shaping up in the world of psychiatric disorders. Researchers are spending a lot of time studying a new form of addiction that has come to the forefront. It is called INTERNET ADDICTION.

EXPERT SPEAK

Dr. Jerald Block, who is associated with the Oregon Health and Science University speaks on the topic. He claims that Internet addiction is a serious health problem, unlike what people believe. He is of the opinion that it should officially be recognized as a clinical disorder.

SYMPTOMS -

According to Dr. Block, keeping an eye out for these 4 symptoms might help you combat the issue before its too late.

*Neglecting the basic aspects of eating and sleeping because you can’t afford to get off that seat that keeps you glued to the computer.

• Craving to get back online, once you’re logged out. It works on the lines of having ‘withdrawal symptoms’.
• Getting extremely cranky and experiencing feelings of tension or the onset of depression when you can’t get to a computer for a prolonged period.
• An incessant need to keep upgrading or investing in new computer softwares and latest equipments, regardless of whether you actually need it or not.
• Chronic fatigue, coupled with times when you lie, or withdraw into your own shell because you don’t have anyone else to really ‘talk’ to.

Compulsive-impulsive disorder -

Dr. Block claims that if a child/adult spends way too many hours online – either gaming, viewing porn or surfing social networking sites, it could turn into a ‘compulsive-impulsive disorder’ in the long run. The most troubling part of this grim scenario is that there still isn’t any relevant cure available for the condition. The patients, then, begin living in a virtual world and the real world ceases to exist for them.

FACEBOOK ADDICTION -

The latest roadblock to hit this condition is that of ‘facebook addiction’. A number of teens (especially) are getting hooked onto the plethora of social networking sites. Well, facebook may not be the only culprit. Google, Yahoo, Twitter, My Space, Youtube are also equally to blame; but since facebook may be (arguably) the most popular of them all, it lends its name to the addiction.

The need to connect with people and socialize was always inherent in human society, but merely limiting that to a virtual world may not be the healthiest option available, say the experts.