A Chinese teen chopped off his left hand in his attempt to end his internet addiction.

A 19-year old boy from the city of Nantong, Jiangsu province, wrote his mother before leaving home. He took with him a kitchen knife which he used to cut off his hand. The dismemberment took place in a public bench. The teen, only known as "Little Wang" called a taxi to take him to a hospital.

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Shortly before midnight, Little Wang's mother discovered the note he had left for her, which read, "Mum, I have gone to hospital for a while. Don't worry. I will definitely come back this evening."

Police were able to find the appendage and doctors successfully reattached it at the hospital. But the physicians were uncertain, if mobility would be restored.

Little Wang's mother was shocked by her son's actions. "We cannot accept what has happened," she told local media. "It was completely out of the blue. He was a smart boy."

One of Little Wang's teachers had observed, the teen had become impulsive due to his internet addiction.

A psychologist and an internet rehab center administrator Tao Ran meanwhile wondered, if Little Wang's addiction will be cured after chopping off his hand.

"I heard about the young man who chopped off his hand," he said. "But I fear he will become addicted again."

Internet addiction disorder, more commonly called problematic internet use (PIU), is the excessive use of Internet, that it already interferes with daily life, work and relationships.  The disorder covers Cybersex addiction, net compulsions or compulsive online gaming, gambling and stock trading.  It also covers information overload or compulsive web surfing that lowers social interaction. 

Some signs that a person may be suffering from internet addiction include, losing track of time online, having trouble completing tasks, isolation from family and friends, feeling guilty about Internet use, and feeling a sense of euphoria while involved in Internet activities. 

According to The Telegraph, an estimated 24 million Chinese teenagers are suffering from Internet addiction.

Tagsinternet addiction