Psychiatry’s new cash cow, ‘Internet addiction’ being pushed as one of the most chronic childhood “diseases”

Internet Addiction Disorder has yet to be officially recognized, but specific symptoms have been outlined, and it’s a subject matter that continues to undergo evaluation. One doctor says Internet addiction could easily become one of the most chronic childhood diseases in America.

Jennifer Van Grove
Mashable
October 5, 2009

Back in August we reported that reSTART, a rehab center for Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD), was the first facility of its kind to treat the controversial diagnosis in the US.

The disorder has yet to be officially recognized, but specific symptoms have been outlined, and it’s a subject matter that continues to undergo evaluation.

Now, new research from the Kaohslung Medical University Hospital in Taiwan shows a correlation in young teens between internet addiction and other psychological disorders. According to CNN and the research report, “ADHD and hostility were linked to Internet addiction in children,” while social phobia and depression were linked to internet addiction in girls.

Read entire article: http://mashable.com/2009/10/05/internet-addiction/