Well, it looks like the science is in on you guys. Researchers in the U.S. have concluded that obsessive internet use is a public health problem, which is so serious it should be officially recognized as a clinical disorder
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.
Early research into the subject found highly educated, socially awkward men were the most likely sufferers but more recent work suggests it is now more of a problem for middle-aged women who are spending hours at home on their computers.
According to psychiatrist Dr Jerald Block, “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.”
Take it for what it’s worth, but I seem to remember that way back in the 1980s that psychiatrists had already identified “computer disease.” So there’s probably nothing really original in Dr. Block’s findings. Tho I wonder how seriously to take this. I once read a story (fiction) about a doctor who invents a phoney disease, then become famous when people all over the world start catching it. I suspect this that is what’s going on here, as well. On the other hand, Dr. Block may be on to something about middle-aged women and computers. I had to get myself a laptop, because the Wife dominates the one in the family room so much I can never use it.
I wonder how many psychiatrists would be out of work if people just agreed that most obsessive behavior isn’t good for you.