Delusions about the Internet
Catalano, G.; Catalano, M.C.; Embi, C.S.; Frankel, R.L.
Southern Medical Journal 92(6): 609-610
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0038-4348 PMID: 10372855 Document Number: 504343
As computer use increases throughout the world, more people are becoming familiar 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 delusional content and how topics covered in the popular media may influence delusional content.