Internet and Video Games Addiction

While most people use the Internet without significant hardship to their health, particular people develop dysfunctional Internet use and excessive playing of (online) video games. People with dysfunctional Internet use show behaviour patterns that indicate possible Internet addiction, which can have a negative influence on their everyday activities, interpersonal relations and psychological well-being. Symptoms of Internet overuse and Internet addiction vary in number and frequency, and there are growing amounts of evidence that some psychological and biological mechanisms are in the background of this problem, similarly to those regarding substance abuse. Research show that among adults Internet overuse is associated with a series of mental health and psychosocial problems such as: abstinence syndrome, social withdrawal, academic failure, financial problems, marital problems, etc. Physical problems such as back pain, eyestrain and carpal tunnel syndrome are also present. Overuse and potentially addictive use of the Internet among children and adolescents recently proved to be a growing cause for concern. Clinical cases and research results connect Internet and gaming addiction with the development and maintenance of depression, social anxiety and generally negative impact on mental health in this population. In the treatment of Internet addiction, the cognitive-behavioural approach is applied as the treatment of choice, and in some cases a combination of psychopharmacological drugs and family counselling.