New study: Internet Addiction Disorder… awkward!
Posted on August 12, 2007 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Science, Social, Technology |
The ironies abound in talking about Internet Addiction Disorder… on the Internet. Apparently, a new Israeli study says that 10% of internet users are being diagnosed with Internet Addiction Disorder. Among the symptoms is increasing social awkwardness since the lines become blurred between online personalities and reality. Thank goodness I could write to you about this rather than talking to you about it in person.
As I type, I’m starting to wonder if I could be on the verge of this disease. Another symptom is experiencing sleep problems. Although embarrassing to admit, I didn’t want to go to sleep the other night because I was watching the numbers of diggs on my previous story rise and rise. And, I’m starting to notice that I’d rather facebook, skype, chat, email, comment, etc. than have a ‘real’ conversation. Is that so wrong?
Here’s what the Jerusalem Post has to say about it:
Researchers have found that overuse of the Internet activates specific parts of the brain, such as the ventricular tegmental area and the prefrontal lobe, which have been connected with other addictions, and have identified correlations between Internet overuse and aberrant levels of neurotransmitters such as seratonin and dopamine.
Pathological obsession about the Internet, the article continues, is a syndrome that can lead to refusal to cut down on surfing, a feeling of loss of control, irritability, aggression, and the need to surf more, because the same amount of hours provide a declining amount of pleasure. Addicts also tend to develop a diminished sense of self-esteem and impoverished social skills, as well as sleep problems and, sometimes, financial problems - if they invest money in superfluous gadgets or online gambling. Continue…
I hope I never reach that level of IAD. This whole IAD thing reminds me of ADD and the ridiculous amounts of ritalin given to kids who can’t concentrate because they have a lousy teacher. I hope psychiatrists don’t abuse this study and start handing out drugs left and right.
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One way to measure one’s addiction is using the wasteometer ;-).
Robert - that wasteometer sounds like a pretty scary thing, since it may force us to admit addiction.