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Treatment outcomes in patients with Internet Addiction and anxiety

RESULTADO DE TRATAMENTO DE PACIENTES COM DEPENDÊNCIA DE INTERNET E ANSIEDADE

Abstracts

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effectiveness of a treatment for Internet addiction and anxiety disorders, using cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication, and to analyze the relationship between anxiety and Internet addiction.

METHOD:

An open clinical trial included 84 patients (42 in the "comorbidities" group; 42 in the "no comorbidities" group) seeking treatment for anxiety symptoms and/or Internet Addiction. The subjects responded to The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0; the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDRS), Clinical Global Impressions Severity and Improvement (CGI-S and CGI-I) and the Young Internet Addiction Scale (IAT). Patients who had only Internet addiction received psychoeducation on conscious internet use and bibliotherapy; they were defined as the group without comorbidities; patients diagnosed with Internet addiction and anxiety disorder (the group with comorbidities) were forwarded for pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

RESULTS:

Both Internet Addiction and anxiety decreased after treatment; the average of Hamilton Anxiety Scale of the "comorbidities" group at the beginning was 33.9 ± 7.6, suggesting severe anxiety, and at the end of treatment it was 15.0 ± 5.1, suggesting mild anxiety and a significant improvement. The average Internet Addiction score at the beginning was 67.8 ± 9.0; at the end of the psychotherapy an average score of 37.7 ± 11.4 was registered, indicating a notable and highly significant improvement.

CONCLUSIONS:

The relationship between anxiety and Internet Addiction existed and was strong. Treatment significantly improved both.

KEYWORDS:
Internet Addiction; Anxiety; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy


OBJETIVO:

Investigar a eficácia de tratamento para dependência de internet e transtornos de ansiedade, utilizando terapia cognitivo comportamental combinada com medicação, e analisar a relação entre ansiedade e dependência de internet.

MÉTODO:

Ensaio clínico aberto realizado no Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração no Instituto de Psiquiatria da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ) com 84 pacientes (42 do grupo com comorbidades e 42 do grupo sem comorbidades) que procuravam tratamento para transtornos de ansiedade e/ou dependência de internet. Os sujeitos responderam ao MINI Entrevista Neuropsiquiátrica Internacional 5.0; a Escala Hamilton de Ansiedade (HAM-A), a Escala Hamilton de Depressão (HDRS), a Escala Clínica de Impressão Global de Severidade e de Melhora (CGI-S e CGI-I) e a Escala de Dependência de Internet de Young (IAT). Os pacientes com apenas dependência de internet receberam psicoeducação sobre o uso consciente da internet e biblioterapia, e foram considerados o grupo sem comorbidades, enquanto que, os pacientes com transtornos de ansiedade e dependência de internet foram encaminhados para o tratamento medicamentoso e psicoterapia.

RESULTADOS:

Tanto a dependência de internet quanto a ansiedade diminuíram após o tratamento, a média da HAM-A no grupo com comorbidades no início foi de 33,9 ± 7,6, sugerindo ansiedade grave e ao final do tratamento foi de 15 ± 5,1, sugerindo uma significativa melhora. A media de dependência de internet obtida na IAT no início do tratamento foi de 67.8 ± 9.0 e ao final da psicoterapia a maioria dos participantes apresentou média de 37.7 ± 11.4 indicando uma melhora notável.

CONCLUSÃO:

A relação entre ansiedade e dependência de internet existe e é forte.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE:
Dependência de Internet; Ansiedade; Terapia Cognitivo Comportamental


INTRODUTION

Internet became popular and has grown wildly in recent years: ease of communication, access to information, learning assistance, search for services, leisure and fun transformed the internet into an indispensable tool. A range of users are unable to control their internet use, often resulting in problems at work, in their social life and sexual pursuits, financial complications, a decline in academic or school performance and other negative consequences.

Because Internet addiction (IA) is not a recognized disorder on DSM5,11 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) 5th Ed. Washington, DC: APA; 2013. the diagnostic criteria for IA are oft discussed; three models are usually employed. The first model is called the component model, suggesting that six components are present in all addictions: salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, conflict, and relapse. This model argues that addictions share elements of biopsychosocial processes and originate from pathological gambling.22 Griffiths MD. A "components" model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework. J. Subst. Use. 2005;10(4):191-7. DOI: 10.1080/14659890500114359
https://doi.org/10.1080/1465989050011435...
The second model also takes pathological gambling as a starting point. It defines Internet addiction as a failure to control personal impulses, even though the condition does not involve the use of chemicals: it postulates an excessive preoccupation with the Internet as the center cause, because of (1) the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time to achieve satisfaction; (2) having repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop Internet use; (3) feeling restless, moody, depressed or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop use; (4) staying online longer than originally intended; (5) loss of a significant relationship, of a work position, of an educational or career opportunity because of the Internet; (6) lying to family, therapists or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet; (7) using the Internet as a way of escapism from problems or to relieve a dysphoric mood. The user is addicted when five or more criteria are present for a 6-month period;33 Young KS. Internet Addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 1998;1(3):237-44. DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237.
https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237...
,44 Young KS. Internet addiction: symptoms, evaluation and treatment. Innov. Clin. Pract. 1999;17:19-31. the third model starts from the clinical characteristics of a large group of Chinese patients thought to have Internet Addiction: symptom and impairment criteria (both must be present). (a) Symptom criteria may include preoccupation and withdrawal symptoms; one or more of the following apply: tolerance, persistent desire and/or unsuccessful efforts to control use; continued use despite problems; loss of other interests; use of the Internet to escape or relieve dysphoric mood. (b) Clinically significant impairment criteria may include: functional impairments (reduced social, academic, working ability), including loss of a significant relationship, work, or educational or career opportunities. For this model, the duration of IA must be at least more than three months, with at least six hours of non-business/non-academic internet use per day.55 Tao R, Huang X, Wang J, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Li M. Proposed diagnostic criteria for internet addiction. Addiction. 2010; 105: 556-564. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02828.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009...

This lack of officially sanctioned diagnosis criteria results in a lack of consensus in assessing Internet Addiction; international prevalence rates use different questionnaires such as the Young Internet Addiction Test (IAT),44 Young KS. Internet addiction: symptoms, evaluation and treatment. Innov. Clin. Pract. 1999;17:19-31. the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS),66 Meerkerk GJ, Van Den Eijnden RJ, Vermulst AA, Garretsen HF. The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS): Some psychometric properties. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2009;12(1):1-6. DOI:10.1089/cpb.2008.0181.
https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2008.0181...
the Excessive Internet Use Scale (EIU),77 Johansson A, Götestam KG. Internet addiction: characteristics of a questionnaire and prevalence in Norwegian youth (12-18 years). Scand J Psychol. 2004;45(3):223-9. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2004.00398.x
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the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ),88 Demetrovics Z, Szeredi B, Rózsa S. The three-factor model of Internet addiction: The development of the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire. Behav Res Methods. 2008;40(2):563-74. DOI: 10.3758/BRM.40.2.563
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the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS),99 Chen SH, Weng LJ, Su YJ, Wu HM, Yang PF. Development of Chinese Internet Addiction Scale and its psychometric study. Chinese Journal of Psychology. 2003;45(3):279-94. the Addiction Profile Index Internet Addiction Form-Screening Version (BAPINT-SV)1010 Ogel K, Karadag F, Satgan D. Psychometric properties of the Addiction Profile Index Internet Addiction Form (BAPINT). Bull Clin Psychopharmacol. 2012;22(suppl 1):110. and the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale (KS scale).1111 Kim DI, Chung YJ, Lee EA, Kim DM, Cho YM. Development of internet addiction proneness scale-short form (KS scale). Korean J Couns. 2008;9:1703-22. Under these conditions, the worldwide prevalence rates of IA ranged approximately from 1.0% to 18.7%.1212 Pontes H, Kuss D, Griffiths MD. Clinical psychology of Internet addiction: a review of its conceptualization, prevalence, neuronal processes, and implications for treatment. Neuroscience and Neuroeconomics. 2015;4(1):1-13. DOI: 10.2147/NAN.S60982
https://doi.org/10.2147/NAN.S60982...

Researchers suggest that excessive use of the internet can lead directly to Internet Addiction (IA).22 Griffiths MD. A "components" model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework. J. Subst. Use. 2005;10(4):191-7. DOI: 10.1080/14659890500114359
https://doi.org/10.1080/1465989050011435...
,1313 Young KS. Internet addiction over the decade: A personal look back. World Psychiatry. 2010;9(2):91. DOI: 10.1002/j.2051-5545.2010.tb00279.x
https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2010...
This behavioral addiction has awaken the interest of Psychiatry, especially as it has been suggested that there is an association with psychiatric disorders such as depression,1414 Morison CM, Gore H. The relationship between excessive Internet use and depression: a questionnaire-based study of 1319 young people and adults. Psychopatology. 2010;43(2):121-6. DOI: 10.1159/000277001.
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,1515 Orsal O, Orsal O, Unsal A, Ozalp S. Evaluation of Internet addiction and depression among university students. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2013;82:445-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.291
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attention deficit and hyperactivity,1616 Bernardi S, Pallanti S. Internet addiction: a descriptive clinical study focusing on comorbidities and dissociative symptoms. Compr. Psychiatry. 2009;50(6):510-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.11.011
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,1717 Yen CF, Chou WJ, Liu TL, Yang P, Hu HF. The association of Internet addiction symptoms with anxiety, depression and self-esteem among adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Compr. Psychiatry. 2014;55(7):160-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.05.025.
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,1818 Dalbudak E, Evren C. The relationship of Internet addiction severity with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms in Turkish University students: impact of personality traits, depression and anxiety. Compr. Psychiatry. 2014;55(3):497-503. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.11.018.
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hypomania,1919 Ko CH, Yen JY, Chen CC, Chen SH, Wu K, Yen CF. Tridimensional personality of adolescents with internet addiction and substance use experience. Can J. Psychiatry. 2006;51(14):887-94. generalized anxiety disorder,1616 Bernardi S, Pallanti S. Internet addiction: a descriptive clinical study focusing on comorbidities and dissociative symptoms. Compr. Psychiatry. 2009;50(6):510-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.11.011
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,2020 Weinstein A, Lejoyeux M. Internet addiction or excessive internet use. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2010;36(5):277-83. DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2010.491880.
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social anxiety disorder,1616 Bernardi S, Pallanti S. Internet addiction: a descriptive clinical study focusing on comorbidities and dissociative symptoms. Compr. Psychiatry. 2009;50(6):510-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.11.011
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,2020 Weinstein A, Lejoyeux M. Internet addiction or excessive internet use. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2010;36(5):277-83. DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2010.491880.
https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2010.49...
dysthymia,1616 Bernardi S, Pallanti S. Internet addiction: a descriptive clinical study focusing on comorbidities and dissociative symptoms. Compr. Psychiatry. 2009;50(6):510-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.11.011
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alcohol use disorder,1818 Dalbudak E, Evren C. The relationship of Internet addiction severity with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms in Turkish University students: impact of personality traits, depression and anxiety. Compr. Psychiatry. 2014;55(3):497-503. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.11.018.
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eating disorder,2121 Tao ZL, Liu Y. Is there a relationship between Internet dependence and eating disorders? A comparison study of Internet dependents and non-Internet dependents. Eating Weight Disord. 2009;14(2):77-83. DOI: 10.1007/BF03327803
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obsessive compulsive personality disorder,2222 Han DH, Renshaw PF. Bupropion in the treatment of problematic online game play in patients with major depressive disorder. J Psychopharmacol. 2012; 26(5):689-96. DOI: 10.1177/0269881111400647
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881111400647...
borderline personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder,2222 Han DH, Renshaw PF. Bupropion in the treatment of problematic online game play in patients with major depressive disorder. J Psychopharmacol. 2012; 26(5):689-96. DOI: 10.1177/0269881111400647
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881111400647...
social phobia2323 Adalier A, Balkan E. The Relationship between Internet Addiction and psychological symptoms. Int. J. Glob. Educ. 2012;1(2):42-49. and insomnia.2424 Cheung LM, Wong WS. The effects of insomnia and internet addiction on depression in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents: an exploratory cross- sectional analysis. J. Sleep Res. 2011;20(2):311-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2010.00883.x
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It has been argued that IA is a symptom of another disorder (such as anxiety or depression) and not a separate entity,2525 Cash H, Rae CD, Steel AH, Winkler A. Internet addiction: A brief summary of research and practice. Current Psychiatry Reviews. 2012;8(4):292-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/157340012803520513
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while some studies have linked Internet Addiction to impulsive control disorder;2626 Shapira NA, Lessig MC, Goldsmith TD, Szabo ST, Lazoritz M, Gold MS, et al.. Problematic Internet use: Proposed classification and diagnostic criteria. Depress Anxiety. 2003; 17(4):207-16. DOI: 10.1002/da.10094
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,2727 Aboujaoude E, Koran LM, Gamel N, Large MD, Serpe RT. Potential markers for problematic internet use: a telephone survey of 2,513 adults. CNS Spectr. 2006;11(10):750-5. DOI: 10.1017/S1092852900014875
https://doi.org/10.1017/S109285290001487...
in sharp contrast, others have suggested that IA is really a primary disorder.33 Young KS. Internet Addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 1998;1(3):237-44. DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237.
https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237...
,1212 Pontes H, Kuss D, Griffiths MD. Clinical psychology of Internet addiction: a review of its conceptualization, prevalence, neuronal processes, and implications for treatment. Neuroscience and Neuroeconomics. 2015;4(1):1-13. DOI: 10.2147/NAN.S60982
https://doi.org/10.2147/NAN.S60982...
The comorbidities of IA affect the patient's life and the direction of treatment, which ought to emphasize the psychiatric condition and treat the pathological use of Internet.2828 Young KS, Rogers R. The relationship between depression and Internet addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav. 1998;1(1):25-8. DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.25.
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The studies recognize that IA causes damage in many social, physical and mental aspects of life, such as job loss, divorce, family disagreements, social isolation, academic failure, abandonment or expulsion from school,2929 White MB. Internet addiction: A review of associated health hazards. Usana Health Sciences. 2011. http://www.myhealthyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Tech Invasion-Internet-Addiction.pdf
http://www.myhealthyhome.com/wp-content/...
insomnia, musculoskeletal pain, tension headache, malnutrition, fatigue and blurred vision, besides cognitive impairments.2424 Cheung LM, Wong WS. The effects of insomnia and internet addiction on depression in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents: an exploratory cross- sectional analysis. J. Sleep Res. 2011;20(2):311-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2010.00883.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2869.2010...

Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments for Internet Addiction have been suggested.3030 Przepiorka AM, Blachnio A, Miziak B, Czuczwar SJ. Clinical approaches to treatment of Internet addiction. Pharmacological Reports. 2014;66(2):187-191. DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2013.10.001
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The pharmacological treatment involves medicines such as Escitalopram,3131 Dell'Osso B, Hadley S, Allen A, Baker B, Chaplin WF, Hollander E. Escitalopram in the treatment of impulsive-compulsive internet usage disorder: an open label trial followed by a double-blind discontinuation phase. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008;69(3):452-6. Citalopram,3232 Sattar P, Ramaswamy S. Internet gaming addiction. Can J Psychiatry. 2004; 49(12):869-70. Bupropion,2222 Han DH, Renshaw PF. Bupropion in the treatment of problematic online game play in patients with major depressive disorder. J Psychopharmacol. 2012; 26(5):689-96. DOI: 10.1177/0269881111400647
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881111400647...
Olanzapine,3333 McElroy SL, Nelson EB, Welge JA, Kaehler L, Keck PE. Olanzapine in the treatment of pathological gambling: a negative randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008;69(3):433-40. Quetiapine,3434 Atmaca M. A case of problematic internet use successfully treated with an SSRI-antipsychotic combination. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007;31(4):961-2. DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.01.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.01....
Naltrexone,3535 Bostwick JM, Bucci JA. Internet sex addiction treated with naltrexone. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(2):226-30. DOI: 10.4065/83.2.226
https://doi.org/10.4065/83.2.226...
Methylphenidate3636 Han DH, Lee YS, Na C, Ahn JY, Chung US, Daniels MA, et al. The effect of methylphenidate on Internet video game play in children with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Compr Psychiatry. 2009;50(3):251-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.08.011
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and Memantine.3737 Camardese G, De Risio L, Di Nicola M, Pizi G, Janiri L. A role for pharmacotherapy in the treatment of ''internet addiction''. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2012;35(6):283-9. DOI: 10.1097/WNF.0b013e31827172e5
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an approach that teaches patients to pay attention to their thoughts, feelings and behaviors and that these dimensions have a strict relationship. Patients are trained to identify through their thoughts and feelings the triggers of addictive behaviors. Other aims of CBT are to teach different coping styles and promote adherence to treatment and prevention of relapses.3838 Beck AT. Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorder, International Universities Press. New York.1976. CBT has been used to treat IA in many different ways.2222 Han DH, Renshaw PF. Bupropion in the treatment of problematic online game play in patients with major depressive disorder. J Psychopharmacol. 2012; 26(5):689-96. DOI: 10.1177/0269881111400647
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881111400647...
,3434 Atmaca M. A case of problematic internet use successfully treated with an SSRI-antipsychotic combination. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007;31(4):961-2. DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.01.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.01....
,3535 Bostwick JM, Bucci JA. Internet sex addiction treated with naltrexone. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(2):226-30. DOI: 10.4065/83.2.226
https://doi.org/10.4065/83.2.226...
,3636 Han DH, Lee YS, Na C, Ahn JY, Chung US, Daniels MA, et al. The effect of methylphenidate on Internet video game play in children with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Compr Psychiatry. 2009;50(3):251-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.08.011
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2008...
Some researchers argue that the first stage of the treatment should be behavioral, taking into account situations where impulsivity is present.3939 King DL, Delfabbro PH, Griffiths MD, Gradisar M. Assessing clinical trials of Internet addiction treatment: A systematic review and CONSORT evaluation. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011;31(7):1110-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2011.06.009
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.06.00...
Another step of treatment is focused on cognitive aspects of addiction, reducing maladaptive cognitions and promoting restructuring. Also, the real problems that led to addiction are a target of treatment at another moment and this is applied to comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs or alcohol, as well as other psychiatric conditions.4040 Young KS. Treatment outcomes using CBT-IA with Internet-addicted patients. J Behav Addict. 2013; 2(4):209-15. DOI: 10.1556/JBA.2.2013.4.3.
https://doi.org/10.1556/JBA.2.2013.4.3...

This aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified CBT protocol and medicines for the treatment of Internet addiction in patients with a range of comorbid anxiety disorders.

METHOD

The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and all patients signed a consent form and were seen and treated at the Laboratory of Panic and Respiration at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ).

The participants were 84 patients seeking treatment for anxiety symptoms and/or Internet Addiction and at screening they responded to The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0,4141 Sheehan DV, Lecrubier Y, Sheehan KH, Amorim P, Janavs J, Weiller E, et al. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI): the development and validation of a structured diagnostic psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59 Suppl 20:22-33;quiz 34-57 the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A),4242 Hamilton M. The assessment of anxiety states by rating. Br J Med Psychol, 1959; 32(1):50-5. the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDRS),4343 Hamilton M. A rating scale for depression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1960; 23:56-62. Clinical Global Impressions (CGI)4444 Guy W. ECDEU Assessment Manual for Psychopharmacology - Revised, 1976 Rockville, MD, U.S. Dep.Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration, NIMH Psychopharmacology Research Branch, Division of Extramural Research Programs, 1976:218-22. https://ia800306.us.archive.org/35/items/ecdeuassessmentm1933guyw/ecdeuassessmentm1933guyw.pdf
https://ia800306.us.archive.org/35/items...
and the Young Internet Addiction Scale (IAT).33 Young KS. Internet Addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 1998;1(3):237-44. DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237.
https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237...
The 42 patients who only had Internet addiction received psychoeducation on conscious internet use and were considered the "no comorbidities" group; the other 42 patients in whom Internet addiction and anxiety disorder were observed were forwarded for pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy and were considered the "comorbidities" group. The inclusion criteria adopted for the study were patients between 18 to 65 years, with Internet Addiction; IA diagnosis was made for persons with a score of 50 or more on an Internet Addiction Test; anxiety disorder was diagnosed by a psychiatrist attending and completing the initial interview; inclusion also required patients to have enough cognitive ability to understand the instructions. Patients who did not know how to read or write, or had Axis II pathology were excluded.

The psychotherapy used was a modified CBT focused on treating anxiety and IA and is based on a modified Young's treatment4040 Young KS. Treatment outcomes using CBT-IA with Internet-addicted patients. J Behav Addict. 2013; 2(4):209-15. DOI: 10.1556/JBA.2.2013.4.3.
https://doi.org/10.1556/JBA.2.2013.4.3...
protocol, which included the insertion of positive emotions. The first step of treatment is directed at treating the anxiety disorder and teaching, through psychoeducation, the mechanism of anxiety and how to deal with it by learning not to be scared in situations that generate anxiety. At this moment, the patients identify and understand emotions and their functioning and their relationship with internet use. All circumstantial situations are explored: social life, interpersonal relations, occupational situations related to anxiety and internet use. The second phase is for cognitive reappraisal of anxiety and internet use, whereby the patients analyze their daily internet use, the cognitions and the triggers involved in the internet use and anxiety. Cognitive distortions, such as selective abstraction, generalization, dichotomic thinking, as well as and others that perpetuate anxiety and excessive use of the internet are restructured. This leads patients to understand the influence of thoughts on behaviors. The third phase is behavioral modification and involves breaking habits in the use of the internet and switching to a different use of that broken routine. At this point, the exposures of feared/ansiogenic situations are made and time management is trained. The behavioral modification covers social, interpersonal areas and changing ways of dealing with friends, family and physical activities. Even at this stage, another target was to insert positive emotion into the patient's life to boost motivation for the development of social skills to remove the patient from the internet and put them back into real life. The last phase of the treatment is prevention of relapse through analyzing improvement, reinforcing new beliefs and behaviors and solving problems. The complete treatment lasts from 8 to 10 sessions.

Statistical analysis

Means, standard deviations and estimated marginal means of the two groups were calculated through a correlation matrix between anxiety, depression and Internet Addiction between groups. The analyses of the variables considered baseline measurements of IAT, HAM-A and HDRS of all subjects.

Data for "before-treatment" and "after-treatment" were analyzed through t-tests. The differences in IAT, HAM-A, HDRS and CGI scores were assessed by Pearson's correlation analysis; statistical significance was defined at the p < 0.05 level, two-tailed.

RESULTS

The groups' characteristics (42 with Internet Addiction vs. 42 with Internet Addiction plus Anxiety Disorder) for age, sex, education and occupation and baseline scores of IAT, HAM-A, HDRS and CGI-S are presented in Table 1.

Table 1
Sample Characteristics and baseline scores

The anxiety levels in the "no comorbidities" group (shown by mean scores on the HAM-A) suggested mild anxiety in 32 of the 42 patients of the group; the average score or the group was 10.1 ± 6.9. This contrasts with the "comorbidities" group with a significantly higher average score of 33.9 ± 6.3.

The "comorbidities" group included 25 patients with Panic Disorder, representing 59.4% of the sample. The disorders detected in the group are described in Table 2.

Table 2
Disorders in “comorbidities” group

The average IAT score in the "no comorbidities" group was 58.9 ± 7.5 (threshold for "problematic" use is 50), which indicated "problematic" internet use. After bibliotherapy and psychoeducation this group showed IAT scores of 54.2 ± 6.3. Values for IAT are presented in Table 3.

Table 3
Student’s t-test for IAT in the “no comorbidities” group

The results of tests in the beginning and the end of the treatment in the "comorbidities" group are reported in Table 4. All four tests show a remarkable improvement in the group. HAM-A dropped from 33.9 ± 7.6 at the beginning, (suggesting severe anxiety), to 15.0 ± 5.1 at the end of treatment, suggesting mild anxiety, a significant improvement. IAT dropped from 67.8 ± 7.4 at baseline to 37.7 ± 8.8 at the end of the study, a notable improvement in Internet Addiction.

Table 4
Student’s t-test for the Comorbidities Group

There were significant correlations between HAM-A, HDRS and IAT. Internet addiction was associated with depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms as shown in Table 5.

Table 5
Correlation matrix between anxiety, depression and Internet Addiction on baseline of two groups

Improvement was noted in the comparison of scores on IAT and HAM-A scales and especially in the fact that the patients no longer had to manage anxiety using the internet and after treatment could use what they had learnt through psychotherapy.

DISCUSSION

Although Internet addiction is not a recognized disorder on DSM5,11 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) 5th Ed. Washington, DC: APA; 2013. there are many studies highlighting the harmful its effects.4545 Király O, Griffiths MD, Urbán R, Farkas J, Kokonyei G, Elekes Z, Tamás D, Demetrovics Z. Problematic Internet use and problematic online gaming are not the same: findings from a large nationally representative adolescent sample. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw, 2014;17(12):749-54. DOI:10.1089/cyber.2014.0475.
https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0475...
,4646 Park JW, Park KH, Lee IJ, Kwon M, Kim DJ. Standardization study of internet addiction improvement motivation scale. Psychiatry Investig. 2012;9(4):373-8. DOI: 10.4306/pi.2012.9.4.373
https://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2012.9.4.373...
,4747 Fisoun V, Floros G, Siomos K, Geroukalins D, Navridis K. Internet Addiction as an important predictor in early detention of adolescent drug use experience-implications for research and practice. J Addict Med. 2012;6(1):77-84. DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0b013e318233d637.
https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0b013e318233...
This research examined the efficacy of combined Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and pharmacological treatment for Internet Addiction and anxiety disorders and the relationship between anxiety and Internet Addiction.

Patients that received bibliotherapy and psychoeducation on the conscious use of internet showed no significant improvements: progress was small and some patients did not change their internet use. Although bibliotherapy and psychoeducation are traditional treatments around the world, this kind of intervention was not taken seriously in our group of patients because they did not read the prescribed texts and the necessary changes were not achieved.

Almost all the patients in the "comorbidities" group, especially those with panic disorder, used the internet to deal with physiological and cognitive symptoms of anxiety; the variety of apps for mobiles using music, respiration, as well as WhatsApp, Facebook and others, together with surfing the internet, were all used as coping strategies to face anxiety. This aggravated internet use and anxiety in these patients, a fact that had also been observed in other studies.4848 Rücker J, Akre C, Berchtold A, Suris J-C. Problematic Internet use is associated with substance use in young adolescents. Acta Paediatr. 2015;104(5):504-7. DOI: 10.1111/apa.12971.
https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.12971...
,4949 Guedes E, Nardi AE, Guimarães FMCL, Machado S, King ALS. Social networking, a new online addiction: a review of Facebook and other addiction disorders. MedicalExpress. 2016;3(1):M160101. DOI: 10.5935/MedicalExpress.2016.01.01
https://doi.org/10.5935/MedicalExpress.2...

Our study found a higher prevalence rate of women in the treatment group (29 women, 13 men); the control group presented a 50-50 score of 21 men and 21 women. Only two studies showed this difference in prevalence rate among males and females, presenting higher rates in females4848 Rücker J, Akre C, Berchtold A, Suris J-C. Problematic Internet use is associated with substance use in young adolescents. Acta Paediatr. 2015;104(5):504-7. DOI: 10.1111/apa.12971.
https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.12971...
,5050 Leung L. Net-generation attributes and seductive properties of the internet as predictors of online activities and internet addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004; 7:333-348. DOI: 10.1089/1094931041291303
https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291303...
while most studies found either a higher prevalence among males5151 Evren C, Dalbudak E, Evren B, Demirci C. High risk of Internet addiction and its relationship with lifetime substance use, psychological and behavioral problems among 10th grade adolescents. Psychiatr Danub. 2014;26(4):330-9.,5252 Li Y, Zhang X, Lu F, Zhang Q, Wang Y. Internet Addiction Among Elementary and Middle School Students in China: A Nationally Representative Sample Study. Cyberpsychol. Behav Soc Netw. 2014;17(2):111-6. DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0482.
https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0482...
or equal prevalence.5353 Ha Y-M, Hwang WJ. Gender Differences in Internet Addiction Associated with Psychological Health Indicators among Adolescents Using a National Web-based Survey. Int. J. Ment. Health Addict. 2014;12(5):660-9. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-014-9500-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9500-...

The patients who received psychotherapy and medicines were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of psychotherapy: after 10 sessions and medication all indicators had been reduced, proving the efficacy of the protocol. The average score for internet use at the beginning of the treatment was 67.8 ± 7.4, dropping to 37.7 ± 8.8, a notable and highly significant improvement in Internet Addiction. The levels of anxiety also showed considerable improvement, as the average of the treatment group at beginning was 33.9 ± 7.6, suggesting severe anxiety, while at the end of treatment it was 15.0 ± 5.1, suggesting mild anxiety and a significant improvement.

Analyzing the relationship between anxiety and Internet Addiction, a study positively linked IA to anxiety and stress and claims that the more addicted to the internet a person was, the more stressed and anxious he/she will be.5454 Akin A, Iskender M. Internet Addiction and Depression, Anxiety and Stress. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences. 2011;3(1):138-48. In our study the relationship between anxiety and Internet addiction was evaluated by a correlation matrix between these variables and the statistical results indicate that the correlation between Internet Addiction and depression was moderate (0.534) but the correlation between Internet Addiction and anxiety was strong (0.722); likewise, the correlation between anxiety and depression (0.806) was quite strong. So, the relationship between anxiety and Internet Addiction existed and was strong.

Taking into account previous research into treatment, recent studies pointed to the fact that the most effective treatment for IA should combine cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication.1212 Pontes H, Kuss D, Griffiths MD. Clinical psychology of Internet addiction: a review of its conceptualization, prevalence, neuronal processes, and implications for treatment. Neuroscience and Neuroeconomics. 2015;4(1):1-13. DOI: 10.2147/NAN.S60982
https://doi.org/10.2147/NAN.S60982...
,3030 Przepiorka AM, Blachnio A, Miziak B, Czuczwar SJ. Clinical approaches to treatment of Internet addiction. Pharmacological Reports. 2014;66(2):187-191. DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2013.10.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharep.2013.10...
Other interventions using CBT have also been described as successful.1313 Young KS. Internet addiction over the decade: A personal look back. World Psychiatry. 2010;9(2):91. DOI: 10.1002/j.2051-5545.2010.tb00279.x
https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2010...
,4040 Young KS. Treatment outcomes using CBT-IA with Internet-addicted patients. J Behav Addict. 2013; 2(4):209-15. DOI: 10.1556/JBA.2.2013.4.3.
https://doi.org/10.1556/JBA.2.2013.4.3...
Future studies should also investigate treatment differences between approaches such as counseling, gestalt, psychodynamic therapies or even therapies from the new age of CBT such as mindfulness, metacognitive approach and transdiagnostic treatment using a unified protocol to analyze the efficacy and to offer different treatment alternatives. Transdiagnostic treatment using a unified protocol is a protocol for treating depression and anxiety and could be an interesting option for treating IA with comorbid depression or anxiety.5555 Ornelas Maia AC, Braga AA, Nunes CA, Nardi AE, Silva AC. Transdiagnostic treatment using a unified protocol: application for patients with a range of comorbid mood and anxiety disorders. Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2013; 35(2):134-40. DOI: 10.1590/S2237-60892013000200007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S2237-6089201300...

Some limitations should be noted: we did not use specific tests to analyze the level of social phobia or Generalized Anxiety Disorder to analyze the relationship between abusive use of the internet and that specific anxiety disorder separately. This could be a future area of research.

CONCLUSIONS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a modified Cognitive Behavioral Treatment protocol combined with medicine treatment for patients with Internet Addiction and anxiety disorder. Another objective was to analyze the relationship between anxiety and Internet Addiction. The most important aspect of this treatment is to promote and support conscious use of the internet to create a healthy relationship with this use. Both Internet Addiction and anxiety decreased after treatment. The relationship between anxiety and Internet Addiction existed and was strong. Treatment significantly improved both. This study calls for further research investigating Internet Addiction treatments, associations and increased promotion of conscious use of the internet seeking well-being and mental health.

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    » https://doi.org/10.1590/S2237-60892013000200007

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Mar-Apr 2017

History

  • Received
    22 Jan 2017
  • Reviewed
    04 Mar 2017
  • Accepted
    27 Mar 2017
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