Internet addiction more serious than OCD

[Ck]

Internet addiction should be grouped with extreme addictive disorders such as gambling, sex addiction and kleptomania, an Israeli psychiatrist said.

Dr. Pinhas Dannon of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine said 10% of Internet users are afflicted with "Internet addiction disorder," which can lead to anxiety and severe depression.

"Internet addiction is not manifesting itself as an urge. It’s more than that. It’s a deep craving. And if we don’t make the change in the way we classify Internet addiction, we won’t be able to treat it in the proper way,"

Internet addiction is classified by mental health professionals as an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a mild to severe mental health condition that results in an urge to engage in ritualistic thoughts and behavior.

Dannon also said the two groups at greatest risk from Internet addiction disorder are teenagers and people in their mid 50s suffering from the loneliness of an empty nest.

Anyone fancy a meet up and a block booking at the docs?

[t-v]

Count me in... I am a sufferer.


Maybe we should set up a support group on here

[Fenella]

At last - a group where I feel I really belong! I wouldn't say I was addicted to the internet mind, more compelled to talk rubbish all day long and this is the only way I can do it unless I talk to my cats, but they don't take any notice of me.

[Ck]

I'm addicted for deffo. Although for some strange reason I'm only addicted at home. I don't bother when I'm at work even though I have the access and I don't miss it when I'm out or feel the need to go to an internet cafe when I'm away somewhere.

[Gene Genie]

I blame television and the lack of something decent to watch. Or my lack on interest in arts and crafts/sport. All these things are rubbish leaving me one option, to come on the internet and talk rubbish all day long.

[Ck]

It's great for socialising though. And the best bit is, it doesn't matter how you're dressed or whether your hair needs washing

[Fenella]

You're spot on there Genie. I hardly ever watch the TV any more despite having hundreds of channels. I don't do sport. I do like reading but find it difficult to concentrate for very long, and it's difficult to find a really good book these days. One could spend one's time in the pub talking to people but that's just the same as talking rubbish on the internet, just more expensive.

[t-v]

It's great for socialising though. And the best bit is, it doesn't matter how you're dressed or whether your hair needs washing

That's what I love about the internet... that and the house can be messy but no-one can tell... it's like having friends round for coffee without having to do the mad dash tidy before they get here

[timey]

Yes, I'm in this category too. The OH knows it as well and tolerates it.

[Fenella]

That's what I love about the internet... that and the house can be messy but no-one can tell... it's like having friends round for coffee without having to do the mad dash tidy before they get here

You have friends who want to come round for coffee?

EDIT. Whoops! Just realised how bad that sounded. Sorry! It came out wrong.