Analysis of Comorbidities in A Group of Young Patients Diagnosed with Internet Addiction

Abstract: Behavioral addictions represent provocative clinical entities due to their phenomenological complexity and intricate pathophysiology. Neurobiological and psychological components create a specific vulnerability, and various stressors act like triggers for the actual disorder. Moreover, behavioral addictions have a relatively high rate of co-morbidity and psychological complications that negatively influence patients’ evolution and prognosis. Configuring a complete image of the patient’s actual psychopathology is a necessary step in the establishment of a successful treatment plan. The objective of this research is to find the incidence of psychological and somatic co-morbidities in a group of patients presenting Internet addiction, quantified according to the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). A score of more than 50 on IAT at the initial visit was necessary for inclusion in further evaluations. A number of 12 young patients, 4 female and 8 male, age 19-30, who presented symptoms of Internet addiction, were evaluated using MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV TR Axis II Personality Disorders (SCID-II). All patients were screened for somatic disorders and received further recommendations according to the diagnoses that have been established. Results showed a co-morbidity rate of 58.3% for any diagnosis, with personality disorders being the most prevalent (50%), followed by anxiety spectrum disorders (33.3%), depressive disorders (25%), drug related disorders (25%), and adjustment disorders (8.3%). Regarding the somatic diseases prevalence, only a few cases had such diagnoses, which is perfectly explainable by the age of selected patients. Nevertheless, knowing the organic status of the patient is necessary if a psychopharmacologic approach is intended, or if the patient already took some medication for its condition, due to possible side effects like drug induced depression, anxiety or even psychosis. In conclusion, we consider that a comprehensive analysis of co-morbidities at the initial visit is needed in cases of any behavioral addiction due to the impact these conditions could have over the evolution, prognosis and treatment plan.