Psychiatrists want Addiction to Internet classified as mental disorder

19 July 2016 01:41 pm - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Karapitiya Teaching Hospital's Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Ramani Ratnaweera said yesterday the worldwide medical specialists in psychiatry had urged that addiction to the internet be classified as a mental disorder.

She highlighted the fact that modern technology was an integral part of education in the world, but addiction to the internet could affect one’s mental health.

Dr. Ratnaweera told the media that children were often subjected to stress when preparing for an examination and that it was the duty of parents and the teachers to create an atmosphere where they would be better able to face the challenges while avoiding the stress caused by competition.

“However, it is unfortunate that the children are encouraged to use the internet as an integral part of their education. This has resulted in the children falling prey to internet-addiction which leads to mental disorders. It is an accepted fact that modern technology should be used for education, but it can bring about a negative effect with regard to their mental health. Addiction to the internet would cause irreparable damage to the cerebral nervous system just as in the case of addiction to narcotics and liquor. We have received evidence that many children use the internet, especially social websites even while neglecting their normal studies. They are bound to end up as victims of stress, mental and physical disorders including back pain and nervousness. Therefore, medical specialists all over the world have considered the inclusion of internet-addiction as a mental disorder,” Dr. Ratnaweera said. (D. Sugathapala and Sumathipala Diyagahage)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 24

citizen Wednesday, 20 July 2016 05:42 AM

How does one define using internet for benefit as opposed to addiction. Much knowledge we need is found rapidly on the web. Psychiatrists may be wanting all the internet users as their patients.

Asadak Wednesday, 20 July 2016 02:24 PM

Parents and teachers are helpless in front of the influences of social media and current child rights practices of our country. the truth is problem is severe than we think. The problem is like an Ice burg floating on the sea.Specially with adolescents, Internet is like Dalipiyen kiri kaama

asadak Wednesday, 20 July 2016 02:18 PM

Simply "This is true"Need action ASAP.

hemantha Wednesday, 20 July 2016 01:51 PM

This is true even though no body willing to accept it. Specially teenagers in our country have addicted to the PCs too much. They will not miss any American TV series

gamaati Wednesday, 20 July 2016 01:49 PM

this is how doctors make money classifying normal people as mentally disordered.

Piyumi Fernando Wednesday, 20 July 2016 12:07 PM

Children as young as 10-11 year olds have fb accounts with full of love struck wall posts. Parents are responsible if children are involve in such activities. Most people in our country have no idea how to use such a device wisely.

clem Wednesday, 20 July 2016 10:55 AM

DR. Ramanis' statement is utter false

Kamal Wednesday, 20 July 2016 10:41 AM

We want the Psychiatrics to be classified as mentally disordered

surasena Wednesday, 20 July 2016 10:27 AM

While my kids read news and features through the e-net I do the same via books and newspapers; am I a person with "mental disorder"?. It is not the tool that one has to despise yet the utilization of the same.

meditate Wednesday, 20 July 2016 09:39 AM

Long walks on the beach is good for mental disorders

Top Hat Wednesday, 20 July 2016 08:28 AM

If that is the case, we have to accept it!

Alamof Wednesday, 20 July 2016 07:55 AM

Psychiatrics with proclivities for labelling normal people as people with mental disorders, should be classified as "Mentally Disordered"

it Tuesday, 19 July 2016 02:29 PM

good that the Google loone project was a flop. or else more children would be considered loony with free wifi via DM iOS App

Ceylonese Wednesday, 20 July 2016 04:49 AM

Addiction to use of mobile phones should also be classified as a mental disorder which according to recent scientific research leads to brain tumours and cancer of the brain.

Henry Wednesday, 20 July 2016 02:02 AM

Someone could describe Internet as a Knife that used for both good

Manushya Tuesday, 19 July 2016 05:54 PM

Then somebody could argue that doctors are addicted to the stethoscopes too. Because internet is an essential means of sharing information for most people today.

Unchikun Tuesday, 19 July 2016 05:17 PM

What about the "mental disorder", "I am a minister". This too need urgent attention.

Harry Tuesday, 19 July 2016 04:58 PM

All the balloon projects boasted by PM ends as such!

das Tuesday, 19 July 2016 04:45 PM

@Sharon.Thanks, I didn't notice it. :-)

Sharon Tuesday, 19 July 2016 03:45 PM

Your disorder is visible from the abbreviation...

das Tuesday, 19 July 2016 03:16 PM

There is also a "Patriotic Mental Disorder" (PSD) in Sri Lanka.

Ruwan Tuesday, 19 July 2016 02:51 PM

Is the google loon project a flop???

stunned citizen Tuesday, 19 July 2016 02:39 PM

most certainly adding to the social addictions of drugs alcohol and gambling ills of this country via DM iOS App

Sarath Tuesday, 19 July 2016 02:34 PM

This statement makes majority world population affected by mental disorders

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Psychiatrists want Addiction to Internet classified as mental disorder

Comments - 24

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

April 15 declared a government holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES