Psychiatric Quarterly

, Volume 82, Issue 3, pp 229–238 | Cite as

Pathological Use of Electronic Media: Case Studies and Commentary

Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

Since its formal introduction barely a dozen years ago, internet addiction (IA) has been both increasingly researched and much debated. The majority of studies have been conducted on large populations through internet surveys, with the most popular instrument for assessing IA being the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). However, both the large scale anonymous survey approach and the design and application of the IAT yield limited clinical insights. IA and the recently proposed more encompassing term of Pathological Use of Electronic Media (PUEM) require more exquisite understanding for essential and timely incorporation into DSM-5 nosology. This study presents four cases modifying the IAT for application within a structured individual interview. The findings are discussed in regard to both the clinical benefit of the procedure and considerations of PUEM for its role in DSM-5.

Keywords

Electronic addiction Non-substance addiction Compulsive–impulsive spectrum 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Jim Tucker, M.D., medical director of the Child and Family Psychiatric Clinic at the University of Virginia, and Ronald Pies, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University, for their insightful and generous contributions to this paper. We also appreciate the interest of Charles O’Brien, M.D., Ph.D. and Thomas Crowley, M.D., co-chairs of the Substance-Related Disorders Work Group for DSM-5, in reviewing this paper.

References

  1. 1.
    Young KS: Internet addiction. The American Behavioral Scientist 48:402–415, 2004Google Scholar
  2. 2.
  3. 3.
    Block JJ: Issues for DSM-V: Internet addiction. American Journal of Psychiatry 165:306–307, 2008PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. 4.
    Shapira NA: Problematic internet use: Proposed classification and diagnostic criteria. Depression and Anxiety 17:207–216, 2003.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. 5.
    Shapira NA, Goldsmith TD, Keck PE, et al.: Psychiatric features of individuals with problematic internet use. Journal of Affective Disorders 57(1–3):267–272, 2000PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Morahan-Martin J: Internet abuse. Social Science Computer Review 23:39–48, 2005CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.
    Pies R: Should DSM-V designate internet addiction a mental disorder? Psychiatry 6:31–37, 2009PubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. 8.
  9. 9.
  10. 10.
    Chak K, Leung L: Shyness and locus of control as predictors of internet addiction and internet use. Cyberpsychology & Behavior 7:559–570, 2004PubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. 11.
    Ko CH, Yen JU, Chen CC, et al.: Tridimensional personality of adolescents with internet addiction and substance use experience. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 51:887–894, 2006Google Scholar
  12. 12.
    Yen J, Yen C, et al.: Co-morbid symptoms of internet addiction: Attention deficit with hyperactivity, depression, social phobia and hostility. Journal of Adolescent Health 41:93–98, 2007PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. 13.
    Cao F, Su L: Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents: Prevalence and psychological features. Child Care Health 33:275–281, 2007CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. 14.
    Hardie E, Tee MY: Excessive internet use: The role of personality, loneliness and social s support networks. Australian Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society 5:34–47, 2007Google Scholar
  15. 15.
    Caoa F, Sua L, et al.: The relationship between impulsivity and internet addiction in a sample of Chinese adolescents. European Psychiatry 22:466–471, 2007CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. 16.
    Kim HK, Davis K: Toward a comprehensive theory of problematic internet use: Evaluating self-esteem, anxiety, flow, and the self-rated importance of internet activities. Computers in Human Behavior 25:490–500, 2009CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. 17.
    Silvia B, Pallanti S: Internet addiction: A descriptive clinical study focusing on co-morbid and dissociative symptoms. Comprehensive Psychiatry 50:510–516, 2009CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. 18.
    Anolli L, Villani D, Riva G: Personality of people using chat: An on-line research. Cyberpsychology & Behavior 8:89–95, 2005CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. 19.
    International Telecommunications Union: http://www.itu.int./ITU-D/ict/statistics
  20. 20.
  21. 21.
    Lee YS, Han DH, Yang KC, et al.: Depression like characteristics of 5HTTLPR polymorphism and temperament in excessive internet users. Journal of Affective Disorders 109:165–169, 2008CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. 22.
    Yua H, Zhaoa X, Lia N, et al.: Effect of excessive internet use on the time-frequency characteristic of EEG. Progress in Natural Science 19:1383–1387, 2009CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. 23.
    Ko CH, Liu GC, Hsiao S, et al.: Brain activities associated with gaming urge of on-line gaming addiction. Journal of Psychiatric Research 43:739–747, 2009PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. 24.
    Widyanto L, McMurran M: The psychometric properties of the internet addiction test. Cyberpsychology & Behavior 7:443–450, 2004CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.James Madison UniversityHarrisonburgUSA
  2. 2.Private PracticeSan MateoUSA
  3. 3.CharlottesvilleUSA

Personalised recommendations