Compulsion or addiction? Researcher raises doubts
Despite overwhelming criticism, Tao Ran hopes that the definition can be accepted and eventually included into the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders (CCMD) and the US Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
"The world follows the DSM model and I would be glad to see China make a contribution in this aspect," Tao says.
But even Tao's supporters are cautious. "We would like to add non-substance addictions such as gambling or Internet addiction. The Chinese criteria seem reasonable, but they must be tested in a field trial. At present we have only anecdotal data," says Charles O'Brien, a professor of addiction studies at Pennsylvania University, who chairs the DSM-V committee on addiction.
"We should also see if there are some bio markers such as evidence from brain imaging of patients. Objective quantitative data are necessary for inclusion in DSM-V," he adds.
"In the United States, they believe that it is compulsive behavior and not addictive behavior. It is like gambling," says Susan Barnes, a professor on social behavior from Rochester Institute of Technology.
"Nothing is ingested, like a drug or alcohol. Personally, I do believe that people can overuse the Internet and these people do seem to have an addition to it. But, you may need to think of it as compulsive behavior and not addictive behavior."
China Features
(China Daily 12/22/2008 page8)
