Cyber Disorders: The Mental Health Concern for the New Millennium

TLDR

Anecdotal evidence suggests mental health practitioners report increased caseloads of clients whose primary complaint involves the Internet, yet little is known about the incidence, behaviors, attitudes, and interventions related to this new phenomenon. The study surveyed therapists who have treated clients with cyber‑related problems to gather outcome information. The study identified five Internet addiction subtypes—cybersex, cyber‑relationships, online stock trading or gambling, information surfing, and computer games—and described treatment strategies including cognitive‑behavioral therapy, sexual offender therapy, marital and family therapy, social skills training, pharmacological interventions, and the consideration of support groups and recovery programs. Respondents reported an average caseload of nine Internet‑addicted clients (range 2–50) and the article discusses the impact of cyberdisorders on future research, treatment, and public policy.

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence has suggested that mental health practitioners' report increased caseloads of clients whose primary complaint involves the Internet. However, little is known about the incidence, associated behaviors, attitudes of practitioners, and interventions involved related to this relatively new phenomenon. Therefore, this study surveyed therapists who have treated clients suffering from cyber-related problems to gather such outcome information. Respondents reported an average caseload of nine clients who they classified as Internet-addicted, with a range between 2 and 50 clients treated within the past year. Five general subtypes of Internet addiction were categorized based on the most problematic types of online applications, and they include addictions to Cybersex, Cyber-relationships, online stock trading or gambling, information surfing, and computer games. Treatment strategies included cognitive-behavioral approaches, sexual offender therapy, marital and family therapy, social skills training, and pharmacological interventions. Based on their client encounters, efforts to initiate support groups and recovery programs specializing in the treatment of Internet addiction were being considered. Finally, based upon the findings, this article examines the impact of cyberdisorders on future research, treatment, and public policy issues for the new millennium.