IAD was originally proposed as a disorder in a satirical hoax by Ivan Goldberg, M.D., in 1995, though some later researchers have taken his essay seriously. He took pathological gambling as diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as his model for the description of IAD. IAD receives coverage in the press, and possible future classification as a psychological disorder continues to be debated and researched in the psychiatric community. A systematic review of PIU identified a lack of standardization of the conceptualization of PIU as a major impediment to advancing this area of study.
Other habits such as reading, playing computer games, or watching very large numbers of internet videos or movies are all troubling only to the extent that these activities interfere with normal life. IAD is often divided into subtypes by activity, such as excessive, overwhelming, or inappropriate internet pornography use, gaming, online social networking, blogging, email, or internet shopping. Opponents note that compulsive behaviors may not themselves be addictive.
Internet addiction is a subset of a broader "technology addiction". Obsession with technology started with radio in the 1930s and with television in the 1960s, but has recently exploded in importance during the current digital age.
Causes and effects
Dr. Kimberly S. Young says that prior research links Internet Addiction Disorder with existing mental health issues, most commonly depression. This may be due to the fact that virtual engagements do not stimulate the release of neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of satisfaction and relaxation, such as oxytocin and endorphin, the way real interactions do. Young states that the disorder has significant effects socially, psychologically and occupationally. Addicts were known to use the internet an average of 38 hours a week for nonacademic and non-employment purposes resulting in poor grades among students, discord among couples and reduced work performance.
According to a Korean study into the disorder, pathological use of the internet results in negative life consequences such as job loss, marriage breakdown, financial debt, and academic failure. 70% of internet users in Korea are reported to play online games, 18% of which are diagnosed as game addicts. The authors of the article conducted a study utilising Kimberly Young's questionnaire. The study showed that the majority of those who met the requirements of internet addiction disorder suffered from interpersonal difficulties and stress and that those addicted to online games specifically responded that they hoped to avoid reality.
Dr. Kimberly S. Young states that 52% of the respondents to her own study said that they were following recovery programs for other addictions. These included alcoholism, chemical dependency, compulsive gambling, or chronic overeating. These participants could see the same excessive behaviour, the need for a crutch to help them relax, in their use of the Internet, that they had exhibited in prior addictions. Though they believed that Internet addiction was not as serious as alcoholism, they still felt disheartened that a new addiction had substituted for the old one. Young also discusses the findings of Dr. Maressa Hecht-Orzack of McLean Hospital who set up a service for computer and Internet addiction in the spring of 1996. Orzack noted that primarily depression and bi-polar disorder in its depressive swing were co-morbid features of pathological Internet use, along with this Orzack indicated that referrals received were from various clinics throughout the hospital rather than direct self-referrals for Internet addiction.
Determining the cause of excessive internet use as it relates to negative outcomes may require a consideration of moderating factors. For example, excessive use accompanied by the cognitive factor of high preoccupation with the internet (excessive thinking about the internet) has been found to be related to greater amounts of negative outcomes.
A 2009 study suggested that brain structural changes were present in those classified by the researchers as internet addicted, similar to those classified as chemically addicted.
