It is believed that the term was first coined in a spoof news article in 2014 which suggested the American Psychiatric Association was considering classifying selfitis as a disorder. Researchers have claimed that those obsessed with clicking selfies may have an actual mental health condition known as selfitis. They have now looked into the trend and say their study "validates its existence".

Researchers have examined 400 people from India – the country with the most Facebook users – and created a "Selfitis Behaviour Scale" listing factors that provoke the condition, which included self-confidence, attention-seeking and social competition.

Hence, the paper – co-written by Dr Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University – published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, said: "As with internet addiction, the concepts of selfitis and selfie addiction started as a hoax, but recent research, including the present paper, has begun to empirically validate its existence." The study also argues that “selfie-taking may evolve over time as technology advances.”