For many, social media is a platform for sending and receiving information. Like most people, this is where it begins and ends. However, more and more people find themselves addicted to this form of communication. Have you ever wondered if someone pushes someone to post endless updates or chronically check for updates and get angry when there are none? Is it because they suffer from depression, anxiety, narcissism, paranoia or other psychological disorders? Even though social media addiction is not considered a valid and recognized disorder, it exists. Can it be shown that the same underlying psychological problems that can cause substance addiction are also the same for social media addiction? Addiction and Psychological Disorders Addiction comes in many forms; the medical field has established that most individuals with addictive tendencies have an underlying psychological problem. Individuals diagnosed with a psychological disorder are approximately twice as likely to develop addictive disorders (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2010). There are four recurrent subtypes of disorders within two main categories based on diagnostic criteria for mood and personality disorders associated with addiction. Mood Disorders Pre-existing mood disorders have been found to be prevalent in those with chemical (drug) and alcohol dependence disorders. Among recognized mood disorders, dysthymia and major depressive disorders are significant comorbidity factors among drug abusers. Dysthymia. Dysthymia is described as a chronic condition in which an individual has a depressed or irritable mood for two or more years. People diagnosed with this disorder experience extremely low, gloomy, and sad chronic mood. There is little... half of the document... tric Annals, 23(11), 609. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/docview/902832938National Institute on Drug Abuse . (2010). Comorbidities: addiction and other mental illnesses. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/comorbidity-addiction-other-mental-illnessesShaw, M., & Black, D. (2008, 5). Internet addiction: definition, evaluation, epidemiology and clinical management. Central Nervous System Drugs, 22(5), 353-365. Doi:10.2165/00023210-200822050-00001 Taylor, J. Substance use disorders and cluster B personality disorders: Physiological, cognitive, and environmental correlates in a college sample. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. 2005; 31(3): 515-535. University of Bergen. (2012, May 7). Are you a Facebook addict?. Everyday science. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120507102054.htm