| Abstract [eng] |
Background: Internet Addiction (IA), also referred to as Internet Use Disorder (IUD), is increasingly recognized as a significant behavioral health issue affecting individuals worldwide. While internet technology greatly facilitates daily life, education, and entertainment, its excessive use has been linked to various mental health problems and behavioral disorders. Rapid advancements in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, streaming services, and smartphones have intensified these risks. Although Internet Addiction has been studied since the late 1990s, gaps in clear diagnostic criteria and standardized assessment tools continue to complicate clinical diagnosis and treatment. Aims: This review aims to evaluate and summarize the existing empirical evidence on clinical signs, subtypes, and treatment possibilities for Internet Addiction. Specifically, it seeks to identify psychological symptoms, categorize behavioral subtypes, assess current treatment modalities, and highlight limitations within current diagnostic frameworks to guide future research directions. Methods: An extensive review of scientific literature was conducted through databases including PubMed, Elsevier, and Google Scholar. Both full texts and abstracts published predominantly between 1995 and 2025 were analyzed, utilizing specific keywords such as "Internet addiction," "Internet Use Disorder," "clinical signs of Internet addiction," and "CBT for Internet addiction." The search strategy was based on Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and a Boolean Search Query, that initially resulted in 145 articles, Studies exclusively related to children or adolescents and those limited to specific geographical areas were mostly excluded. Results: The research demonstrated that Internet Addiction involves diverse psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and low self-esteem. Additionally, physical symptoms like fatigue, disrupted sleep, migraines, and musculoskeletal discomfort were identified. Behavioral indicators include neglect of occupational or academic duties and social withdrawal. IA was found to be heterogeneous, consisting of several subtypes including Internet Gaming Disorder, problematic social media use, online shopping, and online gambling disorders. Treatment approaches evaluated revealed that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is currently the most effective psychological intervention. Pharmacological treatments such as SSRIs may be useful for managing coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety, though their efficacy specifically for IA remains uncertain due to limited rigorous studies. Existing diagnostic tools, such as the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), lack universal validation, standardization, and cross-cultural reliability, posing significant challenges for consistent clinical assessment and treatment. Conclusion: Internet Addiction represents a complex and multifaceted behavioral disorder with significant mental health implications. Clear patterns of psychological, behavioral, and physical symptoms highlight the disorder’s clinical significance. Although treatment options like CBT show promising outcomes, ongoing challenges related to diagnostic inconsistency and subtype differentiation remain. There is an essential need for culturally sensitive, clinically validated assessment tools. Future research should focus on standardized diagnostic frameworks, targeted and personalized therapeutic approaches, and longitudinal studies to confirm the effectiveness of interventions. Enhancing understanding and management of IA through interdisciplinary research and informed clinical practice will ultimately support affected individuals’ health, quality of life, and digital well-being. |
