Addictive Behavior on the Internet and Its Treatment

Czech version

Authors: P. Vondráčková Holcnerová ¹; J. Vacek ²; Z. Košatecká ³
Authors‘ workplace: Fakulta sociálních studií MU, Institut výzkumu dětí, mládeže a rodiny, Brno ¹; Psychiatrická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha ²; Soukromé psychologické středisko, Praha ³
Published in: Čes. a slov. Psychiat., 105, 2009, No. 6-8, pp. 281-289.
Category: Comprehensive Reports

Overview

Addictive behavior on the Internet is a new phenomenon in the practice of clinical psychiatrists and psychologist. It is defined as use of the Internet that creates psychological, social, school and work difficulties in a person’s life. The brief academic history of addictive behavior on the Internet is accompanied by many discussions about its existence in the form of its own nosological unit or as a symptom of another mental disorder. Some professionals even suggested including it into DSM-V. This text offers theoretical overview of this topic including diagnostic guidelines, epidemiology, and co-morbidity. In addition, it presents three etiological models of the onset of the addictive behavior on the Internet - cognitive behavioral model, social skills deficit theory and interpersonal model. Attention is paid to the therapeutic approaches to this phenomenon, in particular, pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. In the context of psychotherapy interventions is introduced cognitive behavioral therapy, reality therapy approach and family therapy. In conclusion are presented two case studies.

Key words:
Internet, addictive behavior, informational technology.

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Article was published in

Czech and Slovak Psychiatry

2009 Issue 6-8