Treatment of Internet Addiction with Anxiety Disorders: Treatment Protocol and Preliminary Before-After Results Involving Pharmacotherapy and Modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Abstract

BackgroundThe growth of the Internet has led to significant change and has become an integral part of modern life. It has made life easier and provided innumerous benefits; however, excessive use has brought about the potential for addiction, leading to severe impairments in social, academic, financial, psychological, and work domains. Individuals addicted to the Internet usually have comorbid psychiatric disorders. Panic disorder (PD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are prevalent mental disorders, involving a great deal of damage in the patient’s life.ObjectiveThis open trial study describes a treatment protocol among 39 patients with anxiety disorders and Internet addiction (IA) involving pharmacotherapy and modified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).MethodsOf the 39 patients, 25 were diagnosed with PD and 14 with GAD, in addition to Internet addiction. At screening, patients responded to the MINI 5.0, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impressions Scale, and the Young Internet Addiction Scale. At that time, IA was observed taking into consideration the IAT scale (cutoff score above 50), while anxiety disorders were diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Patients were forwarded for pharmacotherapy and a modified CBT protocol. Psychotherapy was conducted individually, once a week, over a period of 10 weeks, and results suggest that the treatment was effective for anxiety and Internet addiction.ResultsBefore treatment, anxiety levels suggested severe anxiety, with an average score of 34.26 (SD 6.13); however, after treatment the mean score was 15.03 (SD 3.88) (P<.001). A significant improvement in mean Internet addiction scores was observed, from 67.67 (SD 7.69) before treatment, showing problematic internet use, to 37.56 (SD 9.32) after treatment (P<.001), indicating medium Internet use. With respect to the relationship between IA and anxiety, the correlation between scores was .724.ConclusionsThis study is the first research into IA treatment of a Brazilian population. The improvement was remarkable due to the complete engagement of patients in therapy, which contributed to the success of the treatment from a behavioral perspective, and gave patients the confidence to continue to manage Internet use in their lives.

Cognitive–behavioral therapy for Internet gaming disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Effect sizes were calculated for each outcome variable assessed in each study. Two studies (i.e., Santos et al, ; Young, ) reported effect sizes considered to be exceedingly high (Hedges' g > 3). These outcomes were considered outliers.…”

“…These outcomes were considered outliers. For this reason, two out of three outcome variables in Santos et al () were excluded and Young's () study was excluded altogether. Therefore, 12 studies were included in the meta‐analysis, which included a total of 580 participants.…”

“…To ensure data independence, only one effect size was calculated per variable from each study. For studies with multiple measures of the same outcome (e.g., time spent gaming), effect sizes were calculated individually and then a mean value was determined (e.g., Santos et al, ). For studies with multiple subscales measuring the same outcome, scores on each subscale were weighted by the inverse variance prior to pooling (e.g., Young, ).…”

“…To ensure data independence, only one effect size was calculated per variable from each study. For studies with multiple measures of the same outcome (e.g., time spent gaming), effect sizes were calculated individually and then a mean value was determined (e.g., Santos et al, 2016).…”

Adição à Internet: Relação Com a Sintomatologia Psicopatológica

“…Vários estudos demonstraram também a correlação entre ansiedade e adição à Internet (Santos et al, 2016;Weinstein et al 2015). Explica Young (2011) (Khoshakhlagh & Faramarzi, 2012;Lee & Leeson, 2015).…”