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Issues for DSM-V: Internet Addiction

Block summarizes the internet addiction problem that seems to be raising concern in such states as South Korea, China and the United States. In the studies carried out, the author summarizes four major problems associated with internet addiction. First, there is the excessive use, which is associated with neglect of the basic duties and loss of time. Second, the addict experiences withdrawal. These include depression, tension or anger feelings when they fail to access the computer. Third, the addict is tolerant. This includes the need to have better computer facilities and accessories. Fourth, there are negative repercussions. These include fatigue, social isolation, poor achievement, lying and arguments.

In South Korea, internet addiction is considered as a major issue of public health. According to data collected in 2006, 2.1% (210,000) of the children between the ages of 6 to 9 years are considered afflicted. One million two hundred thousand children are believed to be in danger since the average high school teenager spends an average of 23 hours playing video and computer games. A big number of adults are quitting work in order to be with computers. Many counselors have been trained in order to curb the situation. Schools are also being introduced by these preventive measures.

In China, 13.7% (10 million teenagers) of the adolescents are feared to have this addiction. This propelled the Chinese government to put laws that restrict computer gaming to a limit of three hours per day. Since United States people access the internet via their homes unlike the people in Asia, the statistics may be higher although they have not been confirmed. This internet addiction includes gaming and virtual sex. In my opinion, the internet addiction is rising today more than any other time in history. Internet has become so accessible even via the mobile phones thus raising the addiction risk. The preventive measures should be made public.

Attitudes and Desires Related to Euthanasia and Physician-assisted Suicide Among Ill Patients and Their Caregivers

Emmanuel did a research in order to identify the desires and the attitudes of the patients who have terminal diseases regarding euthanasia or physician assisted suicide. In the research, the author tried to identify whether the terminally ill patients were in serious consideration of euthanasia, the stableness in their desires, the factors associating with them, and the fraction of patients dying from interventions from euthanasia.

A survey was carried out on patients and the primary caregivers between the months of March and July of 1996 and 1997. The settings were outpatient in five metropolitan areas, which were randomly selected and one rural county. The survey engaged 988 patients who were diagnosed to be terminally ill. This was with the exception of the human immunodeficiency virus infection. 89.4% of the patients responded to the survey. It also involved 893 primary caregivers. There was a 97.6% response.

The main outcome measures were that the patients expressed a discussion or consideration for physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. When given a hypothetical situation, 60.2% of the patients supported physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. However, only 10.6% of the participants considered it for themselves. Depressive symptoms were noted as factors associated with the likeliness of euthanasia or PAS consideration. As the survey continued, half of the patients who had considered euthanasia had changed their minds and half who had not considered it had changed their minds. Caregivers responded that 5.6% of the patients had considered enquiring from their physicians about euthanasia.

In my opinion, most of the terminally ill patients have considered or even discussed PAS or euthanasia with their caregivers or physicians, while other consider it as a good way of ending the life. I agree with the statistics and the conclusion found.       

References

Block, Jerald J. (2008). Issues for DSM-V: Internet Addiction. American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 165: 306- 307. Retrieved From http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=99602

Emmanuel E. J., Fairclough, D. L. & Emanuel, L. L. (2000). Attitudes and Desires Related to Euthanasia and Physician-assisted Suicide Among Ill Patients and Their Caregivers. JAMA, Vol. 284 (19): 2460-2468. Retrieved From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/11074775/

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