According to the following article, many people are suffering from a newly-manifested condition known as an "addiction to the Internet." This coincides with our article from last week and its descriptions of the pervasiveness of technology.
First, read through the following article:
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/09/01/pennsylvania-hospital-to-open-country-first-inpatient-treatment-program-for/
Then, in a WELL-THOUGHT OUT and REASONED answer, tell me whether you agree or disagree with Dr. Frances' statement that, "All passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders." Also, do you think that a psychiatrist (or anyone, for that matter) has the authority to tell you that something you love doing is an addiction and needs to be treated?
MAKE SURE to include elements of the article WITHIN your comment so that I will know you actually read it.
Also, I understand the irony of assigning this article on the Internet, but, hey... it is what it is.
I disagree with Dr. Frances' statement. Also, I do not think a psychiatrist, along with anyone else has the authority to tell you that something you enjoy is an addition. For example, my dad plays the guitar. He plays in the praise band at church, and he is unbelievably good. God gave him that talent, so he uses his talent for the glory of Him. In no sense is this addiction. To me, addiction is something that prevents a person from achieving anything, not a hobby or interest. For instance, I play tennis, and I play a lot of it. Tennis makes me feel great and it also makes me happy. Sometimes, it even relieves my stress. This is a good thing for me, so no one has the right to choose if I am getting addicted to it or not. In addition, these things that people think others are getting addicted to are not that bad. If they would limit their time on them it would not seem like addiction. Also, addiction cannot be based on the activity, such as video games. It has to be based on the person. Most of the time when someone needs help with an addiction, it is because of the person. America needs to take responsibility in limiting their time on the Internet, I do agree. If we fail to, it is then our faults. All in all, no one has the right, nor authority, to decide who is addicted to whatever makes them happy. Furthermore, I agree that America is getting more attached to technology, but not addicted. For instance, Dr. Frances stated, "there's little doubt that a small population can suffer from some form of Internet addiction." This means that this matter is no where near addiction matters. Moreover, I strongly disagree to Dr. Frances' statement.
ReplyDeleteKaty Howard
I agree with Dr.Frances with that if doing an activity for a long period time could now be claim of an addiction. why is the line of a loved hobby and an addiction. I do agree with the fact that when a person spends every waking hour doing something they love doing like paint for example but that's all they do . they don't try to make a way to get money to survive and depends heavily on others then it is an addiction that needs to be treated. people have the right to try and help people from destroying themselves like Kevin Roberts if it wasn't for his good friend he would either be on the streets having withdrawal or missing out on life altogether. internet is free and is the worst kind of addiction: a slow fade. it is good to have someone tell you when enough is enough. addiction all have one thing in common you'll miss out on opportunities and special moments either in your own life of someone you loves life. there was one time when I first had the passion for reading in the fourth grade. read all the time and I mean ALL THE TIME. I would get in trouble at school for not paying attention or not doing homework because I was reading so much. I would also be sleepy coming to school because I stayed up most of the night reading a certain book. until one day a teacher explain to me that I was a good student but I had to figure a way to organize my time better. she explained that I could do what I wanted to do but I had to put in order. what I was addict to could be my reward after I was done with my regular work. and slowly I learned to manage my time and read. that was a small addiction but if I hadn't had someone to help me I would have kept getting bad grades and become a horrible time manager. I don't have a mental disorder for loving to read but I had a time management problem that needed to be fixed. a person dose not need to have a strong dependency on anything like books, TV, internet or anything else. when a person grow to depend on it they lose sight of life. kids especially do with iPhones , tablets, iPads, laptops , kindles, nooks, iPods, ect. if not having a thing, tool, causes some anxiety there is a serious problem. the 200 students at Maryland university had threatening reaction to not having media interaction. someone needs to tell them that is enough because a thing should not effect you that much that your body reaction in a violent way or you mentally shut down. it is sad to see smart people or really any person break down over metal, plastic and wires. people need to get a grip on life. life is outside not in a metal box. internet is good to communicate long distance but you should be consumed by it. the culture of today is online this and that and it's good for learning, shopping and business, people have the worst time management skills in our culture concerning internet or media interaction. people should understand that life is outside or doing something with your family. people should say I'm going to be on the internet for xyz amount of time then move to something else. culture created the problem so they need to fix it. help people get their lives back in order. addiction takes away a person's best years don't be a victim to it.
ReplyDeleteGrace Shim
ReplyDeleteNo, not all passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders.
To put it simply, if your life is out of control because of a certain thing or hobby (like Kevin Roberts was with internet) then it should be classified as an addiction. You should be considered a person with a mental disorder, and you should go on to a program to treat that addiction/disorder.
If it does NOT control your life and you are able to divide your time between what is necessary and what is not, then it should not be considered an addiction, and it should most definitely not make you at risk of developing a mental disorder.
What's for fun is for fun, and if you can not seem to be able to make that distinction, you need to go see a doctor. Or a therapist. Or a psychiatrist.
But hey, it's your life. Do what you want. Just try not to get yourself killed, amirite?
I do not believe that people's passions are at risk for redefinition as a mental disorder. It has taken years for this technology disorder to arise and it cannot even be considered an addiction yet. The rate at which the American Psychiatrist Association is diagnosing things is very slow and it will be a long time before anything else is diagnosed. Additionally, I do not believe that anyone has the right to dictate to a person whether they have an addiction or not. If it is something you love to do, then do it until your heart is content! However, a person should be mindful of how much time he/she spends on one thing. In conclusion, we are a far way off from worrying about common things being diagnosed as addictions, and no one has the right to dictate to another person what he/she should do.
ReplyDelete-Chan the man
Sarah Tisdale
ReplyDeleteDr. Frances' statement is extremely possible. People often become addicted to certain activities and hobbies such as sports, work, shopping, and many other things. To become completely dependent on having or doing a certain thing so much so that you forget how to be a normal person and interact with other humans is not good for anyone; however, people have the choice to decide how they spend their time and what they do during that time. Honestly, a doctor should not be allowed to diagnose someone with a disorder unless it is dealing with an illegal substance or places other people in harms way. Although, if a person realizes that he is addicted to something other than that such as the internet, he should be able to seek help in lowering his dependence on that particular addiction.
Sarah Tisdale
Mark Chapman
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Dr. Frances statement that everything is at risk for being labeled an addiction. The word "addiction" in this case meaning a physical and psychological dependence on something. Dr. Frances believes that because of this scenario people will be wrongly diagnosed with an addiction to sex or a sport or another recreational activity. The problem with that these activities all can be reasonably considered an addiction if they are readily available and overused. For example, shopping is fun and a hobby for some people, but for the common person is a very rare occasion because of the price associated with it. But take a looksy at Paris Hilton. Seeing as she has all the money in the world in her daddy's pocket and the ability to go to any store in the world, she is able to shop excessively. This is where I believe an addiction may become possible. For a relatable example, let's look at two very different sex lives. Male A is a sex addict and Male B is not. Male A is a successful, attractive, well-known mamma-jamma that likes to prowl night clubs for lively, drunk women and turn them into ashamed,hungover ones. Whereas, Male B was cursed with a thinner wallet, a thicker tummy, and an adept knowledge of giraffes. He has had one or two "mates" in the past, but couldn't keep the relationship alive for much longer. Male A gets more of a reward for very little effort, making an addiction to sex more reasonably possible. In contrast, Male B has worked far harder for a fraction of the reward, leaving him more time to get addicted to his computer screen. And for that second question, yes, but you also have the authority to tell them to shove it. To be more clear, let's say you're a heroin addict. This is obviously bad and eliminates the possibility of willing treatment. Naturally, you would be offered some sort of help from the government or a friend, they would tell you about the harm you're causing to yourself, and they would be correct because you would rquire treatment. However, if you wanted to refuse treatment and kill yourself while on the drug, I believe you have a right to make that decision too (no matter how stupid of a decision it is).
Being a teenager,myself and most of the people I associate with are somewhat "addicted" to the internet. However, I don't think this should be classified as a disorder. The internet is convenient, resourceful, and helps individuals feel as if they can be apart of something larger. Most people use the internet for entertainment, so when they do not have access to it, they are likely to experience a sense of "withdrawal." If someone has as serious symptoms as the subjects in the article, "chewing on styrofoam cups and punching walls," their issues stem from a much more intricate and deeper psychological disorder. I do not agree with Dr. Frances because anyone has a right to have a passion. Just because someone enjoys doing something on a frequent basis does not mean they should be treated for it. How boring would life be if you were called an addict every time you enjoyed doing something? You would be on so much medicine and spending so much time in facilities that you might actually form real problems. A psychiatrist does not have the authority to diagnose you with something that far-fetched. If this happens, the definition of addiction should change. There is a reason that passion and addiction are NOT similes.
ReplyDeleteSydney Moore
I agree with Dr. Frances' statement. A person can be passionate, but there is a certain line between passionate and addicted. If a person cannot function without partaking in their passion at all times then they are addicted. For instance, I ride bulls at rodeos frequently, and it is my passion; however, If i quit school and abandon my whole life to ride bulls all the time, then i need to seek professional help. Once, my uncle, Rajivishwanathan was passionate about alcohol, and he eventually became addicted, however, he later got psychological help and has been sober for 20 years. Although alcoholism is an extremely common addiction, more and more people are becoming addicted to different activities, such as the internet. All addictions require psychological help no matter what the actual addiction is. Psychologists and psychiatrists definitely have the authority and expertise to notice when someone has crossed the line from passionate to addicted. More hospitals like the Pennsylvania one should and i believe will offer programs to treat the plethora of addictions that are emerging in modern society in the future. Treating uncommon addictions could revolutionize the science of psychology, and mental health in general.
ReplyDeleteSidhanth Chandra
I disagree with Dr. Frances' statement. Also, I do not think a psychiatrist, along with anyone else has the authority to tell you that something you enjoy is an addition. For example, my dad plays the guitar. He plays in the praise band at church, and he is unbelievably good. God gave him that talent, so he uses his talent for the glory of Him. In no sense is this addiction. To me, addiction is something that prevents a person from achieving anything, not a hobby or interest. For instance, I play tennis, and I play a lot of it. Tennis makes me feel great and it also makes me happy. Sometimes, it even relieves my stress. This is a good thing for me, so no one has the right to choose if I am getting addicted to it or not. In addition, these things that people think others are getting addicted to are not that bad. If they would limit their time on them it would not seem like addiction. Also, addiction cannot be based on the activity, such as video games. It has to be based on the person. Most of the time when someone needs help with an addiction, it is because of the person. America needs to take responsibility in limiting their time on the Internet, I do agree. If we fail to, it is then our faults. All in all, no one has the right, nor authority, to decide who is addicted to whatever makes them happy. Furthermore, I agree that America is getting more attached to technology, but not addicted. For instance, Dr. Frances stated, "there's little doubt that a small population can suffer from some form of Internet addiction." This means that this matter is no where near addiction matters. Moreover, I strongly disagree to Dr. Frances' statement.
ReplyDeleteKaty Howard
Well first let me just say i love basketball. Basketball is my passion. But im not at he stage of where i go into a mental lockdown about not being able to play in a game. I do not agree with Dr. Frances comment on all passionate intrest being at the risk of a mental disorder, and i dont think anybody should tell me that whatever i love is an addiction. I think that the program that the University of Maryland is doing is a great program for those students to take 24 hours without technoloy or the internet. But then again when you do that and the students go buck about not having internet, well thats a problem. And robert. Robert just needs help.
ReplyDeleteDr. Frances said this as an example; he did not say it was the way he felt about it. He feels the opposite way, the way I do, that we cannot call everything we do in our spare time an addiction. There are people in this world that struggle with an addiction to internet and with other habits that need help, but at the same time it does not mean that just because you like spending time on the internet that you are an addict. Psychiatrist do not have the authority to tell you that something you love doing is an addiction and needs to be treated, unless it is making your life “spiral out of control because of the obsession.” I spend most of my free time on the internet and texting on my phone as a way of communication and I do not think anyone has the right to tell me it is an addiction. It is not a problem that runs and controls my life; therefore, it is not an addiction. You should not have to go to the inpatient treatment program unless it is evident to you and others that it is a harmful addiction. I do not agree with the quote by Dr. Frances that states, “All passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders."
ReplyDeleteBrooke Gilbert
Sharly Lovitt
ReplyDeleteAccording to the article, true addicts would "..face withdrawals similar to those seen in people addicted to marijuana..."(12) when taken away from the Internet. When one is facing a problem to that extent, then yes, any passionate interest could be at risk for redefinition as a mental disorder. If one is, for example, so focused on quilting that they forget to eat, drink, and sleep, then that is an obvious sign that he or she is overdoing it. If one's hobby has gotten to the point where he or she is unable to function normally and take care of him or herself, then that person needs to realize that it isn't an ideal lifestyle with the help of friends and family who express concern for him or her. They can tell the person with the supposed "addiction" that they are worried, but no one can force the addict to take action. Yes, others may tell an addict that they need to be treated, but only after a certain level of bond has been developed between the addict and the "substance", whether it be the Internet, drugs, or a simple hobby. If it is truly affecting one's way of life, help should be sought, but if one is able to completely function normally, can anyone really call it an addiction?
Tripp Harrison
ReplyDeleteDr. Frances statement is one that i would have to disagree with. Just because you are passionate about a certain interest does not mean that you are addicted to it. It is wrong for him to tell people who are passionate about something that the have a mental disorder and are addicted to something. He should check himself out first because he seems pretty passionate about this subject but that does not mean he is addicted or has a mental disorder. I also do not think that psychiatrist they have the authority to tell you that you are addicted to things that you love to do and should be treated for it. Like if they told me to stop praising God or stop playing guitar because they are things that i love to do and i might need treatment for that i would be one very infuriated teen. This is how i feel about the topic.
I do not agree with Dr.France's statement. All passions or interests are not at risk of becoming a mental disorder. I feel that is depends on the interests. Some interests are crazy and just need a little help to over come and they may cause a serious problem like being a alcoholic .Although shopping and playing video games are not a big problem, its a matter of what are you shopping for or what video games are you play.Such as the man on the computer all the time it depends on what he is doing on the computer , I think that it may cause a slight problem of him being more outgoing or social and could harm his eyes but its not a disorder. I am a huge band geek and as long as band isn't hindering anyone's health or hurting anyone then there is no problem (this statement does not consider the marching band .)I feel that the psychiatrist or anyone else do not have the authority to say that someones interest is an addiction and needs to be treated. The psychiatrist seem to be so interested in Psychiatry maybe they are addicted to that. hhmmm...
ReplyDelete-Shaquala to cool for you ,my sweg is better than your best swag Courtland
Abriana Fornis
ReplyDeleteDr. Allen Frances, chairman of the DSM-IV, is correct that “all passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders.” On the other hand, psychiatrists have some authority to tell you that something you love doing is an addiction and needs to be treated. If a particular addiction proves to be dangerous to a patient or people around them, then a psychiatrist should tell that patient they need treatment. For instance, Kevin Roberts suffered from an internet addiction that drove him to spend up to 12 hours a day on the computer, playing videogames. Roberts spent nearly every waking moment on the Internet during the holidays. He had to receive treatment through a voluntary ten-day program in order to be able to live a normal life. If someone has an "addiction" to something that cannot be harmful to them, then a psychiatrist does not have the authority to tell that person they need treatment for doing something they love.
Nisha Singh
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Dr Frances statement, just because you are addicted to something doesn't mean you have a mental disorder. Dr Kimberly Young says that Internet addiction can spread more than alcoholism, while this may be true you can't do harm by being addicted to a game on the Internet. I do not think Internet addiction is as big as a problem as the article makes it out to be. Although many people are spending more time sitting at home on the Internet, then being active they are still doing no harm. I think Kevin Roberts is unsocial and that's why he spent all of his time on the Internet. I do not think a psychiatrist has the right to tell anyone what they love to do it considered a addiction that needs to be treated. I love social media and if a psychiatrist told me I had a addiction , I would admit to being addicted but defiantly no need for treatment. I say if the addiction is doing no harm, let people be addicted. I also believe its ridiculous to waste money on opening up a hospital to treat people who are addicted to the Internet.
~Stay swaggggyy Mr Ray~
Kaitlyn Elwood
ReplyDeleteI do not necessarily agree with his statement nor do I disagree. Yes, some people do need help and have a disorder or addiction. But only should we call it a “problem” if it gets to a certain extent of insanity, in my opinion. Just because someone is so interested in a certain hobby, activity, internet, or game does not mean they need treatment. For example "If we can be addicted to gambling and the Internet, why not also include addictions to shopping, exercise, sex, work, golf, sunbathing, model railroading, you name it? All passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders," I can’t agree more with Dr. Allen Frances on this. One thing will lead to another and everything will soon be called a “disorder.” If you like to sunbathe in the summer and that is almost all you do, is that a “disorder”? In my opinion not at all, it’s just enjoyable to you. But if we continue with making such crazy accusations it will get much worse than calling sunbathing an addiction. Now, an addiction can be brought on by alcohol, but that is a proven fact and is why we have rehabilitation facilities for it. Do I think that a psychiatrist has the authority to tell me that something I LOVE doing is an addiction and needs treatment? Not at all. Unless it is causing a problem in my life and actually needs “treated.”
I do agree with Dr. Frances’ statement. If a person gets so caught up in one passionate interest, enough to be distant from everything else in the world, and to a point where their life is spiraling out of control, then they need help to get their priorities straight. I do not believe that just anyone has the authority to tell a person that what they love doing is an addiction that needs to be treated, though. If a psychiatrist recommends that one should take a break from a certain activity, with proof that the person is addicted to that one activity, then I do feel it is acceptable. I have many cousins who love playing videogames. Usually, that’s how they spend their spare time; however, I would not say they are addicted to videogames because of their choices on how to spend their spare time, and I also doubt that a psychiatrist would jump to the conclusion that they are addicted to them because they all do other things that don’t involve videogames, also. In the article it states that 200 students were asked to not use any form of media for 24 hours and that many reported they suffered from anxiety. If a person cannot go a day with out technology then they are probably in some way addicted.
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with Dr. Frances statement because whoever has a really big addiction needs help; for example, Robert who played 12 hours of video games a day and his friend who became an alcoholic. These incidents can be diagnosed as a mental disorder because it’s affecting their lives every day and they will soon have a disorder. The game player will eventually get RSI (repetitive strain injury), he could become short sighted from looking at the computer for so long, and he will lack his social skills.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the statement because you could be passionately in love with sports or hobbies. I love soccer and practice it all the time, but I clearly don’t have a mental disorder from loving it. Other people might have hobbies like in the arts. Music is one of the seven intelligences identified in the brain and the only one that utilizes all seven intelligences simultaneously. This means that music courses exercise more of their brain than in any other course they take in school.
I believe a psychiatrist has the authority to tell you that something you love is an addiction and needs to be treated. Psychiatrists are doctors and they know what an addiction is and what it will do to you. They will help you get better in life and help you throughout your addiction. So yes I do agree psychiatrist have a right to tell you if you have an addiction or not.
Kelsey Skurka
Anna Marie Callahan:
ReplyDeleteAn "addiction" to the internet is something that I have personally seen affect the lives of those around me as I have grown up. It has now come to the place where people rely on technology for just about anything and have access to anything they could imagine through the internet. I can honestly say that I rely on my phone and when I cannot have it I feel like I am missing something. I can see both sides to this situation. Yes, I do aagree with Dr. Frances' statement, and I do believe that people can go to far with something they are passionate about and many times it could cause harm to themselves, for example: being so focused on the internet that you do not stop to eat or drink. If in that case (or similar cases) then I agree that they should seek help. I also agree with Dr. Young's statement, "[Internet addiction] is a problem in this country that can be more persuasive than alcoholsim." Although I agree with this statement I have personally seen the affects of alcohol and they are much worse than that of an internet addiction. A 'digital detox' could do many people in todays society a lot of help; to see that you can go for a few days without having technology consume your life. I think that psycotic help for those with a severe internet addiction is an idea that could benefit many people, especially as our knowledge about technology increases, but I do not think we should take any attention away from the serious addictions such as drugs and alcohol, for those could ruin or end someones life, where as, and internet additions only have minor affects.
Dr. Frances's statement that, "All passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders" is a conditional statement; I disagree to a certain degree. Is it weird for a 34 year old man to be glued to his computer screen playing video games for 8 to 12 hours a day? Yes, it does sound like an addiction; however, depending on the person, their reasons as to why they cannot stay away from the internet vary depending on each person. A while back I did a little research on brain activity (by research I mean I watched an ASAP Science video via YouTube)for as to why different people are able to get over things quicker and easier than others and it was theorized that such adjustments were due to their DNA or surroundings. The idea of internet addiction is a rational one, but it does seem as if people are trying to find more ways to get attention and that the authority figures/specialist who exaggerate such claims are trying to get paid more for a problem that is not even substantial enough yet to be covered by medical insurance ($14,000 is a steep unless you genuinely feel you need treatment). Where I begin to agree with authority figures regulating passionate addictions is when the addiction could potentially harm others. A sociopath could be addicted to a certain rush he/she gets from reacting violently and potentially inflict critical damage to anyone around he/she.
ReplyDeleteIyana Gray
I completely agree with Dr. Frances' statement which says that you are at risk of a mental disorder with all of your passionate interests. I agree with his statement because in his discussion he said people can have anxiety from not being on the interent, and when I am without the interent for more than an hour I start to get anxiety as well. Also, I feel that a psychiatrist does have the authority to tell you if your doing something that you love is an addiction becasue they are aware of the symptons people have and can easy see if you obtain the same symptoms. When the doctors observe the patients, like they did in the hopsital, it proves that with the many patients they have, they are able to identify if you have an addiction or not.
ReplyDeleteKacy Howard
Megan Bandy
ReplyDeleteI agree with DR. Frances' statemnet because an addiction, whatever it may be, is taking over your life and you need help with controlling your behavior. A psychiatrist is a trained professional who helps people deal with their problems, even if it is something as common as using the internet. But it is also your responsibility to control your actions. All addicts have the same characteristics as one another and help is available to them if they want it.
Jana Traywick
ReplyDeleteDr. Frances' view that, "All passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders," is one that I agree with. Anything and everything has the capability to be taken to the extreme. Where does one draw the line of interest versus addiction? Is as the article stated,when one has "been stripped from their ability to function in daily life." A psychiatrist is an extensively trained and educated person in the cases of such things as, addiction, therefore, they have the authority to decide whether someone is addicted or not.
By living in the society that we live in today, humanity is getting addicted to the Internet. People redefine the addiction to mental disorders. I agree that most all of the interests we have people redefine those interests into addictions. It doesn't matter interest it is there will always be people that try to say your "addicted" to it. My mom claims that I couldn't go a day without my phone. She thinks I’m addicted to it. I’m not addicted to it but its something that I do like to have. Being addicted means you have to have it all day, everyday. For example, the patients that have to have a digital detox, where they have to go 72 hours without the Internet, “can face depression, irritability and in some cases violence”,as Laroche states. This is what separates the people that are addicted and the people that are just interested in the Internet. People that are addicted go crazy without it. They think that they can’t do without it and they react on that. People that are just interested in the Internet can go 72 hours without the Internet without throwing a tantrum. Being told by a psychiatrist that you shouldn’t being doing that one thing that you love is wrong. By having your own personalities, you have interests in different things. If that’s what that person wants to do with their life then let them do it. They’ll die doing what they love. By saying that the “Internet is free, legal and fat free" this portrays why so many people are addicted to the Internet. America is more worried about weight and saving money, so they will do anything that is free and doesn't include calories.
ReplyDelete-Danielle Deese
A person can be addicted to almost anything. If there is something you are passionate about, it is a possibility that you could become addicted to it. If one's attachment to the object, activity or whatever it is becomes too serious, it is for your own good that you are told that you need treatment. Sometimes, I am personally scared of being addicted to the internet myself. It has become so easy these past few months to sit on Instagram or Vine for hours. I think my classmates would agree with me! Also, Candy Crush Saga has become a popular game among iPhone users and I have a friend who plays it constantly. I have to make myself get off of the internet and do something productive. It is a struggle for almost everybody. If a psychiatrist is telling you that you need treatment, you should probably take their advice. Also, if family members or friends are concerned about your usage of the internet being too much, there is obviously a problem. Psychiatrists have the authority to tell you that you are addicted and need treatment because they are qualified individuals. If I was forced to have a 'digital detox' and be separated from the internet for 72 hours, I would feel some type of void or hole in my everyday life. I would not say I am addict or anywhere close to one, but as Dr. Young says, the internet is free, legal, and fat-free. We all have an attachment to the internet in some way.
ReplyDelete-Janna Meeks
Reece Johnson
ReplyDeleteI think that if you spend so much time doing something that you suffer withdrawals like in the article then you should be considered addicted. I think any activity that causes these symptoms could be classified as a mental disorder. I think that a psychiatrist does have the authority to tell you if you are addicted to something and that something needs to be done about it because you could be endangering your life with this addiction. However, I see how people who are addicts could take dislike to this idea because I am addicted to caffeine and if I do not have some every day then I het headaches.
Silvia Brosolo
ReplyDeleteI don't completely agree with Dr. Frances' statement because there is a distinction between a simple interest for an activity and an addiction for it, and this distinction is rather well-defined. When a passion turns into an addiction it means that a line has been crossed; in fact, also in the article is claimed that experts recognize a difference between mere dependence and serious addiction. This line has been crossed when your "passion" starts to take away things from your life, both psychological needs like healthy relationships with other people or changes in your environment (not being always in the same place doing the same thing)and also physical needs, like, in the example given by the article, fresh air and body exercise. Also, the difference between a strong interest and addiction is that in the second case abstinence can cause serious problems, and the individual behaves like, for example, an alcoholic, as it is mentioned in the article.
Dr. Frances' thesis is that "...if we can be addicted to gambling and the Internet, why not also [...] shopping, exercise, sex,[...]?" But the difference is that we consider addictions those that are actually bad for our health, like alcohol, drugs, etc. and Internet can really harm somebody's well-being; nobody could say that too much exercise is harmful until it leads to injuries, and in that case it becomes a problem and it has to stop like in the Internet case.
Psychiatrists can recognize when the line is crossed, but also other people can, such as the ones surrounding the person concerned: in the article, is one of Roberts' friends that first realizes he has a problem. These people have the authority to tell you that you need to stop doing something if (and only) this line has been crossed, and what you're doing is actually hurting you.
The use of the internet over the past decade has become more than just a source for research to many people. Internet addiction has caused problems in families and individuals lives, but does this give someone the authority to a doctor to say they have a mental disorder? By definition, an addiction is a mental disorder where someone has a repetitive behavior towards something whether that is gambling, drugs, or even the internet. Some people argue that internet addiction is not an addiction because it is simply something you love to do, like playing baseball or football, but when it gets to the point where someone is playing 12 hours a day, then something needs to be done. Psychiatrists should be able to tell people that they are addicted to the internet because it can be just as harmful as any other addiction. People addicted can lose touch with reality, since they are playing video games all day, like Kevin Roberts did nearly 10 years ago. He would spend every minute he was awake playing a video game. These symptoms are similar to the ones displayed by any other addict. Also the people that are treated for internet addiction, “. . . can face withdrawals similar to those seen in people addicted to marijuana.” This shows that internet addiction is a real thing and is nothing to joke about. So, for all the people that explain they aren’t addicted because it is something you love, think again because this addiction can cause serious harm. Dr. Frances remarked that, “All passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders.” This statement is not entirely correct because simply because someone is passionate about something does not make them addicted to it. For example, my cousin plays volleyball every day for hours, but no doctor is ever going to tell her that she is addicted to volleyball and now has a mental disorder because it is not affecting her life in any way. These people that are addicted to the internet lose jobs, spouses, and other family members. On the other hand though, he does have a point because people can get addicted to anything easily, which could cause them to be defined as having a mental disorder.
ReplyDelete~~Colton Herren~~
I disagree with Dr. Frances because an addiction is not just a “passionate interest.” Addiction takes over your life, and negatively affects your career, family, and personal life. If you have the symptoms of a drug addict when you are denied access to the internet, then it is more than just an interest. Psychiatrists and anyone else who notices an unhealthy habit or pattern that a person has should at least be able to suggest to that person that they have a problem. This is necessary because many people with addiction do not realize the extent of their problems. I have an aunt who works as a psychologist for a rehab facility and she has spoken to me regarding addiction. According to her it is usually necessary for a close relative, or even a psychologist, to point out the symptoms of addiction and force a person to see how addiction is affecting their life before they actually become open to receiving treatment. Opening rehabilitation facilities for internet addiction can help to curb a problem before it gets out of hand.
ReplyDelete-Jakeias McGee
Shelley curry
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dr. Frances' belief that, "All passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders", but I also disagree with it. I believe you can be addicted to some of the things you love but not all. For example, if you love to ride a boat can you get addicted to it? No I do not believe that you can be addicted to something like that. I do believe that someone such as a psychiatrist or even a friend, can tell you what you are addicted to. Kevin Roberts was told by a friend that he might be addicted to the Internet because he was showing withdraw symptoms. Kevin's friend ended up being right and helped save him from his addiction. Someone telling you that you might have a problem could save your lives.
I disagree with Dr. Frances. I don't think it is humanly possible to all of the sudden have a mental disorder from shopping, tanning, sports, etc. Yes, I do believe that you can become addicted to these things...very easily. But, no, you cannot get a mental disorder from these things. Honestly, Dr. Frances is probably just trying to convince people that the Internet is a gateway to becoming psycho because he may disagree with it. A psychiatrist has every right to tell me that I am addicted to certain things, but has NO right to tell me that it needs to be treated. It's my body, my brain, & I make my own decisions. I would understand if I was addicted to heroine, meth, crack, etc. & i needed help, but if it's something like addiction to the Internet, that is none of their business & a waste of time for them because it is not killing me.
ReplyDeleteCaylin Kliner
The Internet is rapidly increasing in usage, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. While it helps to find information quickly, it be a serious addiction for people that spend the majority of their time sitting in front of their computer screen, iPhone, etc. I both agree and disagree with Frances' statement. I disagree because it is possible to have a passionate interest without being so involved in it that you forget about the outside world. For example, I love to read, and I do have a passion for creating different thing on the computer, but those interests do not consume me to the fact that I spend no time with people. I hang out with my friends; I go to church and ball games. However, I also agree. When it gets to the point that your interest is all you that consumes you, and deprives you of any life outside of that, as it did Kevin Roberts, it becomes a problem.
ReplyDeleteThere are various degrees of passion, and not all degrees are to the extreme. The Internet itself is easy to get absorbed in, to let it control your life. It is a great thing that Kevin Roberts' friend noticed his Internet addiction, because that caused Roberts' to take action. If a passionate interest does get to the stage of addiction, at least there will be hospitals that will help you recover.
If what you are doing is legal and is non-consuming, I do not think that a psychiatrist, or anyone else for that matter, has the authority to tell you that what you love is wrong and needs to be treated. That is not their place to judge you if you are not harming them or yourself. All things are good in moderation, and that goes for the Internet, and also any other interests you may have.
There are many different interests that people have, some of which are listed in the article. An interest will only become an addiction if you let it take over your life.
Morgan Green:
ReplyDeleteIt is true that any passionate interest has the potential to be labeled as a mental disorder; however, the significant dilemma is not the interest itself but rather a mental disorder that has always been present within a particular individual. The disorder simply chose to manifest itself through a passionate interest. By the American Psychiatric Association listing "gaming disorder" as a mental problem, they are concealing the true issue of mental dysfunction and blaming it on technology. Therefore, a psychiatrist like Dr. Frances has the authority to declare someone mentally unstable, but the problem should not be blamed on whatever "passionate interest" that person frequently enjoys. The problem needs to be addressed for what it truly is. For example, one might argue that it is possible to become addicted to gaining good grades. However, the problem is not necessarily the addiction to the grades, but the fact that the individual is looking for some realm of success to define him (or her) and give him (or her) a certain confidence and sense of worth. Just as in the case of "internet addiction," the problem simply needs to be properly handled and not blamed on a pastime. If psychiatrists and other influential professionals do not realize this, then our society will begin to blame every mental issue on a harmless pastime, and citizens will be troubled into believing that these harmless pastimes are dangerous and unhealthy.
I thought this was a The Onion post at first. Then, I thought about what Sky and Ken do every day. League of Legends and Reddit. The addiction to the internet/technology is very real and the dependence on these items is growing every day; however, psychiatric help is not needed for someone who is addicted to something healthy unless it is taken to extremes. Anything that gets in the way of living a functional, healthy life is an addiction. Anyone has the right to tell you to stop doing something that is interfering with your health or social life, such as sitting at the computer all day long.
ReplyDelete-Caldwell Wagenheim
Dr. Frances' statement is easy to believe and agree with especially in our town. During the fall, Alabama football becomes more than just a game it is a way of life. The doctors' in the article talked about how someone who is obsessed with internet gaming has the same brain changes as a drug addict. I would love to see what an Alabama fan's brain does between August and January each year. They even go through withdrawals in the off season. I don't think it is fair for someone to tell you that something you love is an addiction that needs treating. The reasoning is everyone has their own opinions and loves. What one person sees as weird and obsessive might just be fun and interesting to another. Yes everything can be taken to extremes but for some people, that is just a way of life.
ReplyDeleteHarrison Sentell
"Chandra2014"
-Arielle Gray-
ReplyDeleteDr. Allen Frances's statement that "All passionate interests are at risk for redefinition as mental disorders." is totally refutable. Having a certain passionate interest in recreational activities such as excercise or golf or leisurely activities such as shopping or sun-bathing is totally healthy."Passionate interests" translate to doing some of the things that you love to do; no other individual has the authority to tell another individual that their interests are excessive and should be classified as a disorder or a problem in general. From past experiences, I have dealt with certain figures that are around me everyday that have told me that my interest in performing with a certain music program is close to "cult-like" or "excessive". However, I feel that I am successful in this group and performing is what makes me happy. It's irrational to define someone's interest as an "addiction" simply because the interested party finds something that they are passionate about.
In short, I disagree with Dr. Frances's statement to a degree. The "degree" being that some interests that are harmful to other individuals (alcoholism, drug use, etc.) by way of certain "paths" intertwining is definitely a caveat in the mattter. In thatspecific respect, I would agree with Dr.Frances.
I agree with Dr. Frances' that all interests and hobbies are at risk of becoming addictive to humans just like drugs. Kevin Roberts is just one of the few individuals who's problem has surfaced for psychiatrists to treat. I have seen some of my friends show symptoms of withdrawal when they try to go without the internet or their phone for a day. However, I do not agree that psychiatrist should get involved by telling people who are addicted that they need to be treated. having a parents who are in the medical field, I always hear stories about patients who do not come in to the hospital because they do not trusts doctors or they will not accept medicine from pharmacists because they do not need it. It is the same principle with psychiatric treatment(rehab). People will not listen to the psychiatrists because they will feel as if they are one of those alcoholics or drug addicts that always get arrested and has to go to rehab. The people will feel threatened and start protesting that they are fine and start repeating that famous line, " I don"t have a problem!" That's why psychiatrists should not try to prescribe or take authority in telling people that they need treatment or that they are an addict.
ReplyDelete~Azeeza Abdulrauf~
I disagree with Dr. Frances decision. Whatever an individual is passionate about is their business, as long as it isn't hurting anyone else. In the article Kevin Roberts spent what he later decided was too much time playing world of Warcraft. I believe If he couldn't help himself he may have been a little obsessed, my by no means does he have a mental disorder! To be addicted to the Internet means you have to still maintain a certain level of normalcy in your life simply because you have to pay for the Internet access, the games themselves, and the power to run the computer! I feel if a person thinks they need help to break a habit or obsession it should be there but when the seek said help they shouldn't be labeled or treated like the have a mental defect. That has too many far reaching ramifications to count. In the article it states that the inpatient help is voluntary. How long before someone is committed by a family member for having an addiction to football because the family member doesn't like football an would rather have them go antiquing on a Saturday afternoon? It could happen, slippery slope indeed. The pleasure or rewards center in the brain will be activated or triggered when you do any pleasurable activity. If its fun to you you will want to so it more. That's simple. If however it becomes a problem because you can't control yourself then yes you are obsessed. Someone need to help in some way or the person beeds to recognize it themselves and work to fix it however he chooses to. Passion for a thing is not a disease though, and without passion for whatever the how do we define ourselves as human?
ReplyDeleteBrady Alan-James-Wisconsin Fowlkes
ReplyDeleteDr. Frances is somewhat correct in that something that begins as a passion can soon become an "addiction", just by doing said action repeatedly, one can become addicted to it. However, there is a fine line between a passion and an addition, and perhaps an even finer between dependence and addiction. Sure, today many enjoy the benefits and assistance of technology, but that doesn't mean we can't live without it. As far as a technical condition goes, I believe only the most serious cases of said "Internet addiction" should call for serious doctor attention, otherwise every person who felt like they're family member spent too much time on the Internet could turn them in for "Internet addiction". I do not believe it is a psychiatrist's place to identify things, other than the obvious, conditions as "addictions". Alcoholism, drug abuse, etc. are obviously in need of attention from medical experts. Overall, until said dependence begins to truly affect or hinder one from functioning properly, no serious action should be taken.
Jared Wetzel
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with the doctors statement. Passion and addiction are beasts of separate nature. No one is ever passionate about an addiction of theirs; addicts are self-destructive and often turn to hate what they are addicted to, whereas one with a passionate feeling towards something (in love or hatred) will be able to move away from the subject of their passion eventually and on their own. Attempting to draw similarities between passion and addiction implies that artists are addicts, or that someone who truly enjoys making model figures or doing anything else shitty and tedious on a daily basis would be an addict. The is a difference between leisure& passion and addiction. However, I do agree that someone suffering an addiction has to be informed of their problem, not that they are oblivious to it, but that they would not face it unless confronted. Though this should not be limited to one specific type of person in one specific position.