Category Archives: Health & Medicine

Health & Medicine, Human Interest, International, Language, The Media

UPDATE: APA DEFENDS USE OF ‘SELFITIS’ TERMINOLOGY

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imageArlington, Virginia – Last week, The Adobo Chronicles reported that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has classified the taking of selfies as a mental disorder and went on to call it ‘selfitis.’

The medical community was quick to criticize APA’s use of the term ‘selfitis,’ saying that the suffix ‘itis’ refers to a condition or disease that involves some form of inflammation.  Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial passages of the lungs; tonsilitis is the inflammation of the tonsils; dermatitis is the inflammation of the skin.  Many doctors and scientists said that the correct term for an “addiction” such as the addiction to take self photos should be ‘selfism,’ just like addiction to alcohol is ‘alcoholism.’

However, APA defended its choice for the term ‘selfitis’ saying that the newly classified mental disorder is an ‘inflammation of one’s ego.’

Health & Medicine, Human Interest, International

AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION MAKES IT OFFICIAL: ‘SELFIE’ A MENTAL DISORDER

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Photo credit: AP
Photo credit: AP

Chicago, Illinois – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has officially confirmed what many people thought all along: taking ‘selfies’ is a mental disorder.

The APA made this classification during its annual board of directors meeting in Chicago. The disorder is called selfitis, and is defined as the obsessive compulsive desire to take photos of one’s self  and post them on social media as a way to make up for the lack of self-esteem and to fill a gap in intimacy.

APA said there are three levels of the disorder:

  • Borderline selfitis : taking photos of one’s self at least three times a day but not posting them on social media
  • Acute selfitis: taking photos of one’s self at least three times a day and posting each of the photos on social media
  • Chronic selfitis: Uncontrollable urge to take photos of one’s self  round the clock and posting the photos on social media more than six times a day

According to the APA, while there is currently no cure for the disorder, temporary treatment is available through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  The other good news is that CBT is covered under Obamacare.

This is unwelcome news for Makati City in the Philippines, especially for its mayor, Junjun Binay, son of the incumbent vice president.  Makati was recently named selfie capital of the world by Time Magazine. The mayor even organized a ticker tape parade after his city was bestowed the rare honor.

MORE BREAKING NEWS!! Oxford Dictionaries Announce New Words – including ‘selfitis.’

BREAKING NEWS!!  Apple, Samsung, Nokia Set To Eliminate Front-Facing Cameras From Their Smartphones.  Read the news story.

UPDATE: APA Defends Its Use of ‘Selfitis’ Terminology.

Health & Medicine, International, Law Enforcement, Politics

SUSPECTED PHILIPPINE ‘PORK BARREL QUEEN’ PETITIONS HIGH COURT FOR HOSPITAL ARREST

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napolesManila, Philippines – The lawyers for Janet Lim-Napoles, principal suspect in the 10 Billion-peso pork barrel scam, have asked the Philippine Supreme Court to grant their client hospital arrest in lieu of imprisonment at a high-security military camp south of the Philippine capital.  Napoles says she was confident that her petition will be granted by the highest court of the land based on her current medical condition.

In papers filed with the court, Napoles listed the following symptoms and illnesses she is currently experiencing: toothache, pain in her ring finger, athlete’s foot, sore throat, sinus infection, hair loss, lack of sleep, lack of appetite, multiple mosquito bites, shrinking waste line, heartburn, sunburn, loss of weight and extreme sadness. Her lawyers argued that remaining in the prison suite will only make matters worse for their client and asked the court to grant the petition on humanitarian grounds.

The Supreme Court is compelled to take up Napoles’ petition because there has been a precedent of hospital arrest. Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo remains in hospital arrest at the government’s Veterans Memorial Medical Center for charges of plunder.  Refusing to take up Napoles’ case would subject the court to charges of discrimination.

A hearing of the petition has not yet been set.

See related story: Arroyo and Napoles To Become Prison Roommates?