The American Journal of Psychiatry just published a new editorial on the subject of Internet addiction, recommending inclusion of criteria for the DSM-V, set to publish in 2011. Interestingly, most of the data for this comes out of South Korea, which is arguably the most wired country in the world right now - broadband penetration touches nearly all of population and mind blowing access speeds of 40 Mbs or higher are common. Could Korean issues be a harbinger for the rest of the world when its Internet infrastructure catches up? No doubt many will find this somewhat controversial...
Conceptually, the diagnosis is a compulsive-impulsive spectrum disorder that involves online and/or offline computer usage and consists of at least three subtypes: excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations, and e-mail/text messaging. All of the variants share the following four components: 1) excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives, 2) withdrawal, including feelings of anger, tension, and/or depression when the computer is inaccessible, 3) tolerance, including the need for better computer equipment, more software, or more hours of use, and 4) negative repercussions, including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation, and fatigue.
