The 2010 Suggested Diagnostic Criteria for Internet Addiction
As a relatively new and evolving condition, Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) does not yet have a codified set of diagnostic criteria. Here are the latest recommendations (from 2010) to help doctors and other mental health workers make a diagnosis. Easy to understand, these new diagnostic criteria may help you diagnosis a problem that you or a loved one deals with.
Published in the journal Addiction in Feb 2010; here are the proposed diagnostic criteria for Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD).
Based on the recommended criteria, to meet a diagnosis of IAD a person must display both of the following symptoms:
1. A preoccupation with the internet (thinking a lot about time spent in the past online or anticipating and planning a coming online session)
2. Withdrawal symptoms – after a few days without access to the internet IAD sufferers will experience symptoms such as dysphoria, boredom, anxiety and irritability.
And at least one of the following symptoms:
- Tolerance – needing to spend increasing amounts of time online achieve the same level of satisfaction that was previously achieved after briefer sessions
- Wanting to reduce time spent online – Either a persistent desire to reduce time spent online or previous attempts and failures in limiting time spent online
- Continuing to use the internet despite knowing the harms it does you – you continue to excessively use the internet even though you know that your use of the internet causes you physical or psychiatric harms (Or worsens existing problems)
- Losing interest in things that were previously enjoyed – you no longer participate at the same level in hobbies or activities that you used to enjoy or find meaningful because of your excessive use of the internet
- Using the internet to feel better – to relieve negative emotions, such as dysphoria, anxiety, guilt and others
Additionally:
- Your behaviors cannot be better explained by another mental health disorder
- Your internet usage must cause you significant life impairment, such as the loss of a job or important relationship or reduced capacity to perform at work or school
- Your excessive internet usage must be ongoing for longer than 3 continuous months and you must spend more than 6 hours online per day (not including time spent online at work or for school)1
References
Editor’s picks
Email Addiction - An Impulsive Compulsive Disorder
The 2 hallmarks of an email addiction are an obsession with thoughts of checking for email and an inability to resist the urge to check. Email addicts might check for mail hundreds of times per day - and eventually think of little else.
MMPRPG's and the Dangers of Video Game Addiction
EverCrack - the name says it all, and it's not funny anymore for the hundreds of thousands that are so addicted to their virtual worlds that they can't stop playing.
Psychiatric Disorders that Predict Internet Addiction
Researchers say that people with certain mental health conditions, like ADHD, depression, social phobia and others are at greater risk to develop a co-occurring addiction to the internet. Learn more about what types of disorders put a person at increased risk of internet addiction and about what can be done to prevent it for those most at risk.
Understanding Internet Addiction - Why It's So Addictive
Why is the internet addictive? Is it a real problem? How do you know if you (or somebody else) has the problem?
Internet Addiction: Warning Signs and Treatment Options
How do you know when a lot becomes too much? Five ways to identify an internet addiction and what to do if have one.