Delusions About the Internet

Catalano, Glenn; Catalano, Maria C.; Embi, Colleen; Frankel, Ronnie

doi:10.1097/00007611-199906000-00010

Cited by 31 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…This corresponds to the 3rd level of the development of delusions, which Klosterkötter [20] called the phase of concretization. Similar patterns in other case reports on delusional experiences in close connection with new technologies or political events which only shaped the phenotype of well-known delusional themes [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] confirm the results of our case reports (table 1).…”

Section: Casesupporting

confidence: 90%

“…During the last 10 years, these results were confirmed by case reports which pointed out that already a short time after their appearance, technological innovations like computer games [9,10] or the Internet [11][12][13][14][15], cultural phenomena like rock and roll [16,17] and historical events [18,19] can be registered in schizophrenic delusions. Catalano et al [14] even 7 postulated that delusions about the Internet are 'a new subtype of previously reported psychiatric illnesses'.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 70%

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Old Wine in New Bottles?

Stompe

Ortwein-Swoboda²,

Schanda³

2003

Psychopathology

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A number of recent case reports published during the last 20 years described a quick inclusion of new technologies and cultural innovations into schizophrenic delusions which led many of the authors to the conclusion that the ‘Zeitgeist’ is creating new delusional contents. On the other hand, long-term comparisons and comparative transcultural studies on delusions showed, despite a certain degree of variability, a stability of delusional themes over longer periods of time. Combining anthropological and historical theories of the development of societies with a differentiated psychopathological approach (Klosterkötter’s three-stage model of the formation of schizophrenic delusions), we were able to resolve the problem of the ostensibly divergent results: there are only a few themes of extraordinary anthropological importance for the organization of human relationships which can be found in every epoch and in different cultures (persecution, grandiosity, guilt, religion, hypochondria, jealousy, and love). With the exception of persecution and grandiosity, these themes showed a certain variability over time and between cultures. The ‘new’ themes, referring to the development of modern technology and the rapid changes of ‘cultural patterns’ turned out to be only the shaping of the basic delusional themes on the 3rd stage of Klosterkötter’s phase model (concretization).

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Section: Casesupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Old Wine in New Bottles?

Stompe

Ortwein-Swoboda²,

Schanda³

2003

Psychopathology

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“…• Studies that compare excessive Internet users with non-excessive users 5,6 • Case studies of excessive Internet users 4,[7][8][9] • Studies that examine the psychometric properties of excessive Internet use [10][11][12] • Studies examining the relationship of excessive Internet use with other behaviors, e.g., psychiPsychology Division, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.…”

Section: Introduction Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Pathological Internet Use among University Students and Correlations with Self-Esteem, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Disinhibition

Niemz

Griffiths²,

Banyard³

2005

CyberPsychology & Behavior

518

285

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Over the last few years, there has been increased interest in the addictive potential of the Internet. The current study was an attempt to replicate common findings in the literature and provide more evidence for the existence of Internet addiction among students-a population considered to be especially vulnerable. A total of 371 British students responded to the questionnaire, which included the Pathological Internet Use (PIU) scale, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), a self-esteem scale, and two measures of disinhibition. Results showed that 18.3% of the sample were considered to be pathological Internet users, whose excessive use of the Internet was causing academic, social, and interpersonal problems. Other results showed that pathological Internet users had lower self-esteem and were more socially disinhibited. However, there was no significant difference in GHQ scores. These results are discussed in relation to the methodological shortcomings of research in the area as a whole.

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“…This phenomenon was fi rst noted by Tausk [23] in his seminal paper 'On the Origin of the Infl uencing Machine in Schizophrenia', where he noted that technology is often present as an explanatory device in psychosis and takes the form of a diabolical machine, just outside the technical understanding of the subject, usually claimed to be operated by enemies or persecutors of the affected person. Catalano et al [2] have argued that a lack of knowledge about the relevant technology may fuel internet-themed delusions, perhaps leading to the internet increasingly appearing as a modern-day incarnation of Tausk's 'infl uencing machine'.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Internet Delusions’: A Case Series and Theoretical Integration

et al. 2005

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Background: Delusions involving the internet have been reported as examples of the influence of cultural innovations on delusion formation, although there has been some debate as to whether such innovations simply affect surface content, or whether they have more substantial clinical or psychopathological implications. Sampling and Methods: Four cases of patients with delusions involving the internet were identified following a general request to local consultant psychiatrists for referrals. Results: The internet had a specific effect on aetiology in one case, and knowledge of the internet seemed to constrain the type of delusion formed in two others. The presence of an internet-related delusion in the final case was used to frame a successful clinical intervention based on the ‘collaborative empiricism’ method, using cognitive behavioural therapy and collaborative use of the internet to resolve the delusional belief. Conclusions: Cultural technical innovations may have specific influences on the form, origin and content of delusional beliefs. For some patients the presence of internet-themed delusions may be a good prognostic indicator since, given the rich sources of information available, they may be well suited to treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy.

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Delusions About the Internet

Cited by 31 publications

References 4 publications

Old Wine in New Bottles?

Old Wine in New Bottles?

Prevalence of Pathological Internet Use among University Students and Correlations with Self-Esteem, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Disinhibition

‘Internet Delusions’: A Case Series and Theoretical Integration

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