Excessive texting a sign of mental illness, says research

Internet ‘addiction’ a growing issue

By Wesley Johnson

Published:

PEOPLE who send excessive text messages and e-mails may have a mental illness, according to an editorial in a leading psychiatric journal.

Dr Jerald Block said addiction to the internet appears to be a common disorder that merits inclusion in a new manual of mental disorders.

He said excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations and excessive text messages and e-mails were all covered by the illness.

In an editorial in the American Journal of Psychiatry, he said symptoms included feelings of withdrawal when a computer cannot be accessed, as well as an increased need for better equipment, the need for more time to use it, and negative repercussions of addiction, such as arguments, lying, social isolation and fatigue.

“Unfortunately, internet addiction is resistant to treatment, entails significant risks and has high relapse rates,” he wrote.

He referred to research in South Korea and China, where internet cafes are often used instead of computers in the home.

“Using data from 2006, the South Korean government estimates that about 210,000 South Korean children (2.1%; ages 6-19) are afflicted and require treatment,” he said.

“Perhaps 20% to 24% require hospitalisation.”

Preventive measures are now being introduced into schools in South Korea, he said.