As bloggers, internet addiction is a job requirement, but we hear it's a bad thing for "normal people." We've noticed quite a few articles recently on cell phone addiction and Web abuse. We think lawyers more than most may be prone to technological addictions, due to their nifty firm-supplied tech toys, many billable hours spent in front of computers, and the ever-present blackberry/crackberry.

Wired reports that one influential psychiatrist has proposed adding internet addiction to the manual of mental disorders:

In the March issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, Jerald Block proposed that Web abuse be added to his field's bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Block cites research from South Korea, where, he says, the affliction is considered a serious public health problem, and the government estimates that 168,000 children may require psychotropic medications. In China, the Beijing Military Region Central Hospital puts the number of teenage pathological computer users at 10 million.

Like other addicts, users reportedly experience cravings (for better software, faster machines), withdrawal (logging off may cause irritability), a loss of sense of time (wee-hour fixes), and negative social repercussions (it's so much easier to date an avatar).

Check. Check. Check. No check -- our social life is just fine, thank you.

There are your warning signs for internet addiction, so look out! We wonder if carrying a PDA is the equivalent of chewing nicotine gum.... More discussion of addictions and how the love of the iPhone can lead to robbery at gunpoint, after the jump.

We know the Web is not the only technological equivalent of nicotine; we call a Blackberry a Crackberry, after all. But apparently a plain old cell phone can have a dangerous addictive power too. The Telegraph has an article on two kids who "are learning to live without their mobile phones after becoming so badly addicted to the technology they were admitted to a mental health clinic."

New Yorkers had such strong cravings for the iPhone that they were duped by a craigslist scheme promising discounted phones if they went to buy them in lonely, deserted locations. From the New York Post:

The scheme - which netted thousands of dollars from as many as 12 victims from all five boroughs finally came undone Wednesday night, when cops set up a sting on a Flatlands street corner and arrested four suspects.

Authorities said the ring posted ads promising bulk sales of discounted Apple iPhones - in at least one case offering 10 for $2,000 - and got the would-be customers to show up at desolate locations in Flatbush, East Flatbush and Flatlands.

When the victims arrived, the thugs robbed them at gunpoint, cops said.

If we have to have one mental disorder, technology abuse seems like the best of the bunch. As long as it never involves being robbed at gunpoint.

WTF!? Internet Addiction Nominated for Entry in the Manual of Mental Disorders [Wired]
Mobile phone addiction: Clinic treats children [Telegraph via Drudge]
IROBBED [New York Post]