Scientists Reckon Being Obsessed With Taking Selfies Is An Actual Mental Disorder

If you have a m8 that’s guilty of constantly taking selfies, a new study has found that they might suffer a legit condition.

Psychologists have found that the term selfitis – the obsessive taking of selfies – is an actual mental disorder. A new paper in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction interviewed hundreds of university students to develop a ‘Selfitis Behavior Scale’. Nottingham Trent University’s Dr Mark Griffiths said.

“We have now appeared to confirm its existence and developed the world’s first Selfitis Behaviour Scale to assess the condition,”

Turns out there’s different levels of selfie obsession. A borderline case is someone who take selfies at least three times a day, but doesn’t post them on social media. However, someone with an acute case would actually post those selfies. While someone with a chronic case takes and posts photos 24/7, sharing the photos on social media more than six times a day.

Researcher Dr Janarthanan Balakrishnan added.

“Typically, those with the condition suffer from a lack of self-confidence and are seeking to ‘fit in’ with those around them, and may display symptoms similar to other potentially addictive behaviours,”

So should we all step away from the smartphone? First, just let me take a selfie.