Is Internet Addiction a Mental Disorder?
03/18/08 Portland, Ore. OHSU’s Jerald Block, M.D., proposes adding the condition to a highly-regarded psychiatrist handbook used to diagnose patients An OHSU psychiatrist has proposed that Internet addiction and other compulsive uses of the computer be officially listed in a manual used by psychiatrists worldwide to diagnose mental disorders. The editorial, written by Jerald Block, M.D., (faculty appointment) is published in the March edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry. “There are at least three known forms of compulsive computer use: excessive computer gaming, preoccupations with sexual content and email or text messaging,” explained Block. “These compulsive behaviors can have very serious health and social consequences ranging from fatigue, depression, social isolation and poor work performance. In some very extreme cases, those addicted to Internet use have suffered cardiopulmonary-related deaths.” As Block points out in his editorial, studies from South Korea suggest tha
