# Internet Addiction Official Mental Illness Compulsive-Impulsive Disorder By Ayman | Published 2008-03-22 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/internet-addiction-mental-illness References: [canada](http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=705d2e4e-420f-4555-82ac-285b73d74d96&k=37204) I may soon be officially classified with a brain illness... According to the editorial of the latest issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry: Internet addiction -- including "excessive gaming, sexual pre-occupations and e-mail/text messaging" -- is a common compulsive-impulsive disorder that should be added to psychiatry's official guidebook of mental disorders. According to Dr. Jerald Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, similar to other addicts, users experience [cravings, urges, withdrawal and tolerance](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adhd-quiz), requiring more and better equipment and software, or more and more hours online. Relapse rates are high and some people may need [psychoactive medications or hospitalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legion-health). When you need help with your [web addiction](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pressquit), there are already resources to help out: ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 40% | Activity: 76% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Internet Addiction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative therapies or interventions to treat internet addiction and help users regain control over their online activities. - **Excessive Gaming:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create innovative solutions or technologies that promote healthy gaming habits and prevent excessive gaming addiction. - **Compulsive-impulsive Disorder:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design new psychiatric treatments or approaches to address compulsive-impulsive disorders related to internet use, such as excessive e-mailing or texting. ### Where This Applies - **Psychiatry:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new therapeutic approaches, medications, or digital tools to treat internet addiction and compulsive-impulsive disorders associated with online activities. - **Gaming and Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create innovative gaming technologies or platforms that encourage a balanced and healthy relationship with gaming, reducing the risk of addiction. - **Digital Health:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leverage digital health solutions to provide personalized interventions and support programs for individuals struggling with internet addiction and compulsive-impulsive disorders. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Brain Training Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brainblink-brainblink.md) - [Digital Recovery Support](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anonymous-health.md) - [VR-Powered ADHD Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vr-eyetracking-game.md) - [Mental Health-Supporting Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paradise-island.md) - [Virtual Mental Health Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/help-club.md) - [Cutting-Edge Mental Health Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diall.md) - [ADHD-Friendly Browsers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sidekick-2.md) - [Addiction-Conscious Social Media Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/betimeful.md) - [Depression-Detecting Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mental-wellness-app.md)