Delusions about the Internet

Citation
G. Catalano et al., Delusions about the Internet, SOUTH MED J, 92(6), 1999, pp. 609-610
Citations number
8
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine
Journal title
SOUTHERN MEDICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
00384348 → ACNP
Volume
92
Issue
6
Year of publication
1999
Pages
609 - 610
Database
ISI
SICI code
0038-4348(199906)92:6<609:DATI>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
As computer use increases throughout the world, more people are becoming fa miliar with computers, the Internet, and the roles that both play in their daily lives. There have already been reports of people becoming addicted to the Internet, and we now report on two cases of men who had delusions that they were controlled by and entwined with the Internet. We feel that this phenomenon is not a new diagnostic entity but more likely a new subtype of previously reported psychiatric illnesses. We also discuss the genesis of d elusional content and how topics covered in the popular media may influence delusional content.