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INTERNET ADDICTIVE DISORDER (IAD) A Mental Illness?

© Colleen Sullivan

"Internet Addiction" has become almost a household word. The media and various individuals have had a field day with it. Everyone has an opinion of what this "mental disorder" is. Yet one might search the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSMV IV) and find nary a mention of this new and popular addiction. Internet Addiction Disorder, as a diagnostic category, does not exist.

According to Dr. Young, Psy.D, at the University of Pittsburgh, and online at http://netaddiction.com The Center for Online Addiction, individuals can, and do become addicted to the Internet. She states that in general, the Internet itself is not addictive, but that certain applications, such as chat rooms, play a "significant role in the development of pathological Internet use." Dr. Young's hypotheses is interesting, and although she is a researcher and one of the foremost instigators of the notion that IAD should be classified as a mental disorder, her data is incomplete and her conclusions flawed, and do not support such classification. Among other topics to be found on Dr Young's web page are "What is Internet Addiction? What is Cybersexual Addiction," and "What Makes the Internet so Addictive?"

Conspicuously absent from Dr Young's conclusions and suppositions are hard facts, conclusive research reports and several research factors seemingly ignored completely.

CAUSE OF INCREASED INTERNET USE

There can be many factors involved in increased use of the Internet. Factors including general interest, educational, or simply for the purpose of "cruising the net" to "see the world" on the computer screen. Socialization, networking with friends, support, the quick and easy ability to keep up with events from a local to international scale are strong drawing points.

Are people spending more time on the Internet because they feel accepted, because it's balm for their spirits, or a "get-away" from stressful events and life situations such as a bad marriage, a divorce, or family problems? Are they spending hours and hours on the Internet hoping to avoid "real life"?

What about those people who read, watch television or work constantly? Are these people also addicted and deserving of a psychiatric label of their own? Are they also running from the world?

Excessive use seems to be a key word here, but what exactly is "excessive use" and by whose definition? Personally, I rarely watch television. I do not enjoy it, it does nothing for me to watch actors portray already concluded scenes. My retired husband, on the other hand, has the television on six to eight hours a day. I regard this as excessive and possibly addictive behavior on his part. Is it really though? By my standards, yes. By his, a resounding no!