Compulsive computer use is becoming more common, US researchers report. And people who spend excessive amounts of time glued to computer screens surfing the Web, talking in chat rooms and playing games often show signs of personality disorders.

There is a growing number who have a problem with excessive and problematic computer use. These people have a hard time controlling their computer use and give the impression of being 'addicted' to their computer, causing all types of problems in their work, personal and social life.

Researchers believe the condition is widespread since they had no trouble finding such people, and most of them had other emotional problems -- identifiable mood or anxiety disorders, substance abuse or personality disorders. In a study of 16 men and 5 women who spent an average of 27 hours a week of their free time in front of a computer, Black and his colleagues found that many compulsive computer users feel happy, excited or powerful when using computers. Most admitted, however, that their screen time had interfered with family, friends, work or school.

About one third of compulsive users who had tried to cut back at one time or another said that spending less time in front of the computer made them feel anxious. The typical subject of our study was a 32-year old man with a college degree and an average income of about $27,000, who had been compulsively using his computer for 3 years. According to the results of several different types of psychological tests, the compulsive computer users had a high rate of mental disorders, especially mood and personality disorders, and drug and alcohol problems. For example, 52% of the people in the study had at least one personality disorder, the investigators found.

In contrast, just 12% of subjects in a community-wide survey had at least one personality disorder. The impact of compulsive computer use is not readily apparent, however, since many of its consequences (e.g., social isolation, marital discord, and financial problems) remain out of the public's view. More work will help pin down its risk factors, psychiatric comorbidity, family history, psychosocial consequences, and natural history.

Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 1999;60:839-844.