Internet and social media addiction is often an indication of other mental health problems

Experts are investigating Internet addiction and its effects
Today there are more and more people who are dependent on the internet. Most of the time, it affects the problems of younger people. Researchers have now found that an Internet addiction can point to other serious mental health problems. The findings could lead to a new way of treating patients with Internet addiction.

Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario have now found in an investigation that many people with so-called Internet addictions often suffer from other mental health problems. Affected individuals who spend a lot of time online may be more effectively treated by a psychiatrist in the future. The results of the new study were published by the physicians at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology's (ECNP) annual meeting in Vienna.

The so-called Internet addiction is becoming an ever greater problem in this day and age. A new study now looked at the effects and causes of this type of addiction. (Image: Focus Pocus LTD / fotolia.com)

Researchers use Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and a new scale
For their study, Canadian physicians examined the use of the Internet by 254 students from McMaster University in Ontario. The researchers used a so-called Internet addiction test (IAT). This was already developed in 1998. In addition, they use their own scale, which builds on new criteria, the experts add to "Medical Xpress".

IAT questionnaire has problems in assessing today's internet usage
Over the past 18 years, Internet usage has changed radically. For example, more and more people are working online with a computer, participating in media streaming, or having accounts on social media platforms, scientists say. The so-called IAT questionnaire has problems to properly grasp modern internet usage. Many people who use the internet frequently but are not dependent on it are misclassified, explains dr. Michael Van Ameringen from McMaster University.

Researchers also looked for depression, anxiety, and stress
With the help of the new screening tool, 33 subjects were classified as addicted to the Internet. 107 participants had a so-called problematic Internet use, explain the authors. Among other things, the research team also examined the mental health of the participating students, including signs of impulsivity, depression, anxiety and stress.

What makes people dependent on the internet?
Most of the addicted subjects had problems with the use of video streaming and social networking, the physicians explain. In addition, the control of instant messaging tools created considerable difficulties for these people. Such services are often used by younger people. Therefore it is not surprising that more and more adolescents are threatened with internet addiction.

Effects of internet addiction
Affected people have significantly more problems with their daily routines. In addition, there are higher rates of depression, anxiety, impulsivity and inattention, say the experts. Such people also have significant planning and time management issues, reports Medical Xpress..

Connection between internet use and mental health detected
The excessive use of the internet is a little explored phenomenon. Such use of the Internet can lead to compulsive behavior and addiction, the experts warn. The new investigation found only a link between Internet use and mental health. Now a larger study is needed to properly classify these mental health problems, Dr. Van Ameringen. Are the problems the cause of an internet addiction or are they the result of overuse of the internet?

Further study is urgently needed
The results can have practical medical effects. If a person is being treated for an addiction that suffers from anxiety and depression instead, the treatment can go a completely wrong way. Thus, this type of treatment will not achieve the desired success. We need a better understanding of this type of addiction and, for this, more large-scale studies, consisting of a broader, more diverse population. Van Ameringen. (As)