Internet Addiction and Its Treatment

• Main Author: Ozden Arisoy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar 2009-07-01
• Series: Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar
• Subjects: internet addiction; pharmacological treatment; cognitive-behavioral treatment
• Online Access: http://www.cappsy.org/archives/vol1/cap_1_6.pdf

With the introduction of new technologies, computer and internet use have become an unavoidable necessity in our daily lives. Internet was originally designed to facilitate communication and research. However the dramatic increase in use of internet in recent years has led to its pathologic use. Turkey, as a developing country with an increasing rate of internet access and computer use is at high risk for this disorder. In our country, this disorder is especially seen in young people who are more skilled in internet and computer use. And because their excessive internet use has led to negative consequences in their academic, social and family lives, patients and their families began search of treatment for this disorder. So clinicians must be aware of this newly emerging disorder and they should be able to apply the appropriate therapeutic interventions. This paper aims to summarize the pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral treatment of internet addiction.