Computer Addiction Essay

Computer addiction is a mental illness which causes the excessive use of computers to the extent that it interferes with daily life. Excessive use may explain problems in social interaction, mood, personality, work ethic, relationships, thought processes, or sleep deprivation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not include a diagnosis for such a disease. The term †²computer addiction†² originated long before the Internet. Some people develop bad habits in their computer use that cause them significant problems in their lives. The types of behavior and negative consequences are similar to those of known addictive disorders. Effects Excessive computer use may result in, or occur with: Lack of social interaction. Using the computer for pleasure, gratification, or relief from stress. Feeling irritable and out of control or depressed when not using it. Spending increasing amounts of time and money on hardware, software, magazines, and computer-related activities. Neglecting work, school, or family obligations. Lying about the amount of time spent on computer activities. Risking loss of career goals, educational objectives, and personal relationships. Failing at repeated efforts to control computer use. A cause for many of the above-mentioned effects may be that computer games do not stimulate the release of neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of satisfaction and relaxation, such as oxytocin and endorphin, in the same way that real world activities do. Bibliography †Exhaustion’ most likely cause of death’, 2007, Chinese gamer dies after three-day session , vnunet.com, [Online], Available: http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2198850/chinese-man-dies-three-days [2009, April 14]. ‘About online gamers anoymous’ 2009, , OLG, [Online], Available: http://www.olganon.org/ [2009, April 14]. Block, 2008, ‘Issues for DSM-V: Internet Addiction’ Available: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/165/3/306 [2009, April 14]. ‘Chinese suicide shows addiction dangers Online life proves too appealing†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ n.d., , Play.tm, [Online], Available: http://play.tm/news/5928/chinese-suicide-shows-addiction-dangers/ [2009, April 14]. ‘Experts debate internet addiction’ 2006 , Nov. 14 Available: http://www.physorg.com/news82749930.html [2009, April 14]. ‘How computer addiction works’ 2009, Available: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/computer-addiction3.htm [2009, April 14]. Orzack, n.d., ‘Computer addiction services’ Available: http://www.computeraddiction.com/peter.htm [2009, April 14].