Internet addiction is generally defined as problematic, compulsive use of the Internet that results in significant impairment of a person's functioning in various domains of life over an extended period of time. Young people are at particular risk of developing an Internet addiction disorder, with case studies highlighting students whose academic performance plummets as they spend more and more time online. Some also suffer health consequences from sleep loss as they stay up later and later to chat online, check for social network status updates or reach the next game levels.
Internet addiction disorder is not listed in the mental health professional's manual, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, also called the DSM. Internet addiction, however, is formally recognized as a disorder by the American Psychological Association. This and other relationships between digital media use and mental health have been the subject of much research, debate and discussion among experts in various disciplines, and have generated controversy in the medical, scientific and technological communities. Such disorders can be diagnosed when a person engages in online activities at the expense of fulfilling daily responsibilities or pursuing other interests, and without considering the negative consequences. The Internet can foster various addictions, including addiction to pornography, gaming, auction sites, social networking sites and Web browsing.
Excessive Internet use is not recognized as a disorder by the World Health Organization, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). However, the diagnosis of gaming disorder is included in the ICD-11. Controversy surrounding the diagnosis includes whether the disorder is a distinct clinical entity or a manifestation of underlying psychiatric disorders. Research has approached the question from different perspectives, without universally standardized or agreed-upon definitions, leading to difficulties in developing evidence-based recommendations.
Since adolescents (ages 12-19) and emerging adults (ages 20-29) have more access to the Internet than any other age group and are at higher risk for excessive Internet use, the problem of Internet addiction disorder is most relevant to adolescents.
Treatment BeterKlinic
BeterKliniek is the clinic for Integrative Medicine that bridges regular and non-regular medicine.
An van Veen (physician) and Michael van Gils (therapist) look for the cause of a condition or disease. That is where the treatment starts otherwise, as people often say, it is 'carrying water to the sea'. We call this cause medicine. Sometimes it is also desirable to treat the symptoms (at the same time). We call this symptom medicine.
Chronic disorders often have their cause in epi- genetics. You can schedule a free informative telephone consultation (phone number 040-7117337 until 1 p.m.) at BeterKliniek to discuss your symptoms so that we can provide you with further advice.
