Internet addiction is now a clinical disorder

Malaysia Sun (ANI) Monday 10th November, 2008

New Delhi, Nov 10 : Feeling irritated because you can't access the Internet? Well, may be it's time to seek medical help as Internet addiction is now considered a clinical disorder rather than a bad habit, according to a new Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) diagnostic manual approved over the weekend by psychologists.

The two major symptoms of IAD are lingering online for more than six hours a day instead of working or studying and having adverse reactions from not being able to get online, reports China Daily.

According to the manual, IAD sufferers usually engage in five main activities - Online gaming, net pornography, excessive involvement in virtual social networking, too much Internet shopping and general cyber-surfing.

Tao Ran, a leading medical professional on addiction in China who also headed the drafting of the manual, said that the guide would be the first of its kind in the world if the Ministry of Health officially approves it.

Tao said that the ministry is highly likely to give the manual the green light next year.

"If so, China will be the first country to recognize IAD as a clinical disease, like gambling or alcohol addiction," Tao said.