One psychologist calls it the mental illness of the millenium. Hundreds of thousands of Americans addicted to time on the Internet.

In Utah, therapists are seeing people in record numbers who have serious personal problems because they've become obsessed with staying online. News Specialist Stacey Butler reports.

Dr. David Adams/Clinical Psychologist: "SPOUSES ARE SAYING HE'S NOT TALKING TO ME, HE'S SPENDING ALL THE TIME ON THE COMPUTER OR SHE'S TALKING TO SOMEONE IN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH E MAILS."

Dr. Adams has been counseling couples for more than twenty years. And only recently has he noticed an alarming trend.

"INCREASED INCIDENCES OF DEPRESSION AND LONELINESS AND DECREASED FAMILY TIES."

All steming from what Dr. Adams terms internet-itus. Too much time on the internet.

What kind of sites are people hitting? In a study just released today, at least 200,000 Internet users regularly surf in search of sex.

Among the most destructive destinations, chat rooms where people hook up.

"I HAD A GENTLEMAN COME IN A COUPLE OF TIMES AND STARTED TALKING ABOUT HIS WIFE IS HAVING TWO CONCURRENT CYBER SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS."

"SHE STARTED LYING LIKE I'M NOT DOING IT ANYMORE AND JUST AS HE DISCOVERED THIS MORNING-SHE'S STILL ON LINE."

It's estimated that as many as 11 million people have an unhealthy internet habit -- they spend at least ten hours a week online.

Psychologists say they exhibit the same symptoms as in any addiction -- it's hard to recognize, it's hard to stop the behavior, and it's hard on families.

"65% OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE ARE CLINICALLY DEPRESSED."

Dr. Valerie Hale teaches a court mandated class for divorced parents. She says she sees more and more marriages broken up by another man or woman -- one who lives only online.

Dr. Valerie Hale/Clinical Psychologist: "YOU COMPARE THAT PERSON-THERE THEY ARE IN THE FLESH WARTS AND ALL, TO THIS SORT OF FANTASY PERSON ON THE INTERNET WHO ALSO VIEWS YOU AS A FANTASY PERSON."

Dr. Hale has seen innocent flirtation turn into a dangerous compulsion.

"TURN ON YOUR MACHINE AND YOU WONDER DO I HAVE AN E MAIL FROM THAT PERSON?"

The Stanford study surveyed 4,000 internet users. 64 percent spent up to five hours a week online, which is not considered addictive behavior. 36 percent surfed for more than ten hours a week, a level of online use that can qualify as an addiction.

According to the study by Stanford University, the average person spends no more than five hours a week on line.

It's a new phenomenon for psychologists, who are sometimes at a loss as to what to do.

"WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT THIS WAS GOING TO OCCUR. AND WHO KNOWS WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE?"

The reserach at Stanford shows that it's not just surfing for sex that gets people in trouble. Any compulsive online use -- more than ten hours a week -- can take it's toll.

If you think you or someone you love may spend too much time on line--contact the Utah Psychological Association at 359-5646.