Internet addiction is a 'clinical disorder'

[DennyCrane]

We all know an internet addict or two. They might be the chat room junkie, they might be the news junkie... or they might just be the one who has a dozen different instant messangers open and in use during all waking hours. But what about the gamers? Sure, we talk about the addictive qualities of WoW, but overall, how bad do we gamers have it? How hard is it to say when enough's enough? I think like most addictions, it becomes a problem when it either interferes with real life, or becomes a substitute. I've said more than a few times that I like CS:S because it's a nice diversion to relax after working at my job. And when it becomes a job and you spend 40 hours a week playing... your Check Engine light should be on. And let's face it... I don't think anyone reading this is earning $500,000 a year playing Counterstrike.
The Telegraph has an interesting article that starts out newsy enough:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telegraph

Obsessive internet use is a public health problem which is so serious it should be officially recognised as a clinical disorder, according to a leading psychiatrist.

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.

Fair enough. But read further on and a little underlying bias against gamers comes through. Dr. Jerold Block:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telegraph

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."

Whoa, where'd that come from? So this guy thinks gaming is worse than a porn addiction?
He says internet addicts require hospitalization and medication. I think this guy should worry more about cancer, aids and Lower Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and leave the gamers alone. Unless someone here needs some lithium and electroshock? Fish? I'm looking at you, buddy.
Internet addiction is a 'clinical disorder' - Telegraph

[Fish111]

No1 reading this makes $500,000 a year playing cs:s, because no1 makes $500,000 a year playing cs:s

[akabaloo]

What is all that? Ectoplasm?

[Relly]

I play 20 hours per week (according to steam Community)

I guess I'm not addicted

Nice write up, though.

[Craig]

im totally addicted to the web. no question about it.

[DennyCrane]

There's something about having virtually every bit of news and information at your fingers. Personally, I don't think I could go back to the pre-internet days.

[Speedhead]

I saw something on the internet (rofl) one time and things like that, being addicted to your cell phones, and biting nails and stuff like that were all called soft addictions.

[Dopefish]

I hate how they are pinning names to everything too easily nowadays. If you do something specific longer than another person thinks you should, you clearly have some kind of disorder.

[DennyCrane]

And worse when schlocks like Jerold Block want to lock you up and pump you full of drugs.

[CoffeeShark]

you eat 3 times a DAY!!!! food addiction!!!!