Social networkers at increased risk of mental illness

People who spend a lot of time using social networks such as Facebook are at a higher than normal risk of being diagnosed with a mental illness, it has been claimed.

Studies conducted at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Shalvata Mental Health Care Centre at Tel Aviv University in Israel found that a number people with internet addiction suffered from delusions.

These included having imaginary or perceived virtual relationships.

Lead researcher Dr Uri Nitzan said that as internet use increases so does the number of people with "related psychopathologies".

"Some patients are harmed by these social networking sites, which can attract those who are lonely or vulnerable in their day-to-day lives or act as a platform for cyber-bullying and other predatory behaviour," he added.

During tests, two patients were found to feel vulnerable after sharing private information, while one experienced hallucinations, believing she was being physically touched by someone on the other side of the screen.

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