Internet Addiction, New Mental Health disorder?

   Is internet addiction such a huge problem that it may be considered a mental health disorder? Well, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-V), internet addiction (formerly Internet Use Disorder [IUD]) may soon be added to the list. Authors are saying it needs more studies conducted to be classified as a real mental disorder.

   Do you have any of the symptoms?

• Do you experience "preoccupation" with the internet or internet gaming?
• Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when the substance (internet) is no longer available?
• Is your body building tolerance (need to spend more and more tine on the internet to achieve the same "high")?
• Do you experience a loss of other interests?
• Have you had unsuccessful attempts to quit?
• Do you use the internet to improve or escape a anxious or depressing mood?

   Research has shown that those addicted to internet use have changes in their brain in the connections between cells and in the areas that control attention, executive control and emotion processing. Many of these changes are like the changes you see when someone is addicted to cocaine, heroine and other substances. There are extremes to the disorder, from killing because the desired object was taken away to constantly checking emails for work and being a good employee. 

   This may be hard to treat because you can't quit the internet altogether, yet, you have to learn to manage your time using the world wide web. Researchers have found the only treatment, as of now, is cognitive behavior therapy. This psychotherapy teaches people how to replace the unhealthy thoughts and behavior patterns with new, healthier, more productive ones. 

Questions: Does your internet usage affect your lifestyle negatively? How do you feel about Internet Addiction becoming a mental health disorder?

Mariyah Hargrove, 10/3