Internet Use Disorder may soon be included in the revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders. According to the American Psychiatric Association, which is working on the fifth edition of the Manual, Internet Use Disorder will be included as a condition “recommended for further study.” Other behaviors also being considered for classification as disorders include hyper-sexual disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and prolonged bereavement periods. Many medical experts and doctors are taking issue with the extended list of disorders, which is three times as long today as it was in 1952 when the first Diagnostic Statistical Manual was released.
Christopher Lane is a professor of literature at Northwestern University and author of numerous books on psychology, including “Shyness: How Normal Behavior Became a Sickness.” He takes issue with the disorders being considered for the Manual and talks about why continually expanding the list of recognized disorders can become harmful in society.