Push to Classify Internet Addiction as a Mental Disorder
An editorial to be published in the American Journal of Psychiatry argues that Internet addiction is a common compulsive-impulsive disorder that should be added to psychiatry’s official guidebook of mental disorders.
Report author Dr. Jerald Block defines Internet addiction as including “excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations and email/text messaging.” Block says that those suffering Internet addiction experience cravings, urges, withdrawal and tolerance, requiring more and better equipment and software, or more and more hours online.




