Pathological Internet use – It is a multidimensional and not a unidimensional construct

It is still a topic of debate whether pathological Internet use (PIU) is a distinct entity or whether it should be differentiated between pathological use of specific Internet activities like playing Internet games and spending time on Internet sex sites. The aim of the current study was to contribute to a better understanding of common and differential aspects of PIU in relation to different specific Internet activities. Three groups of individuals were examined which differed with respect to their use of specific Internet activities: one group of 69 subjects used exclusively Internet games (IG) (but not Internet pornography (IP)), 134 subjects used IP (but not IG), and 116 subjects used both IG and IP (i.e., unspecific Internet use). The results indicate that shyness and life satisfaction are significant predictors for a tendency towards pathological use of IG, but not pathological use of IP. Time spent online was a significant predictor for problematic use of both IG and IP. Additionally, no correlation was found between symptoms of pathological use of IG and IP. We conclude that games may be used to compensate social deficits (e.g., shyness) and life satisfaction in real life, whereas IP is primarily used for gratification in terms of achieving stimulation and sexual arousal. These results support the demand for differentiating the various facets of Internet use in future studies instead of considering PIU as a unitary phenomenon.     

PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AMONG ADULT JAPANESE PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS

Background

A large number of studies have reported the high prevalence of problematic internet use (PIU) among adolescents and students (13-50%)¹, and PIU has been associated with many psychiatric symptoms². In contrast, only a few studies have investigated its prevalence among the adult population. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies investigating the prevalence and comorbidity of PIU in a psychiatric population although psychiatric symptoms might either induce PIU in patients with psychiatric illnesses, or PIU might induce or aggravate psychiatric symptoms. The aims of this study are to investigate the prevalence of PIU and psychiatric co-morbidity among adult psychiatric patients.

The relationship of psychiatric comorbidity to treatment outcomes in methadone maintained patients

The authors examined the relationship of comorbid non-substance use psychiatric disorders to preadmission problem status and treatment outcomes in 278 methadone maintenance patients. Recent admissions were assigned DSM-III-R Axis I and II diagnoses according to structured diagnostic interviews. The Addiction Severity Index was administered at admission to assess past and current substance use and psychosocial problems and again 7 months later. Treatment retention and month 7 drug urinalysis results were also obtained. Across substance use and psychosocial domains, participants showed significant and comparable levels of improvement regardless of comorbidity. Comorbid participants received more concurrent psychiatric treatment which may have accounted for the lack of differential improvement among groups. Nevertheless, psychiatric comorbidity was associated with poorer psychosocial and medical status at admission and follow-up and participants with the combination of Axis I and II comorbidity had the most severe problems. Admission and month 7 substance use were, for the most part, not related to psychiatric comorbidity, although there was a trend indicating more treatment attrition for participants with personality disorders.     

Pathological and problem gambling in substance use treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pathological and problem gambling refer to a class of disorders, including those meeting criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis (i.e., pathological gambling), and others comprising a spectrum of severity defined by significant personal and social harm (i.e., problem gambling), that may be common in substance use treatment but are frequently unrecognized. This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence indicating the prevalence of such gambling disorders in substance use treatment. It provides weighted mean estimates from across studies of clinical samples of substance users, and suggests around 14% of patients that demonstrate comorbid pathological gambling. Around 23% suffer conditions along the broader spectrum of problem gambling. The review also highlights important limitations of existing evidence, including scant data on current versus lifetime comorbidity, as well as reliance on convenience samples and self-administered measures of gambling problems. Notwithstanding a concomitant need for caution when applying these results, the findings suggest a strong need to identify and manage gambling comorbidity in substance use treatment. Strategies for identification of gambling disorders, and therapies that may provide useful adjunctive interventions in substance use treatment are discussed.     

病理性网络使用青少年的家庭环境特征:一项以医院为基础的病例对照研究

目的:探索家庭环境特征与青少年病理性网络使用(PIU)之间的关系。方法:采用以医院为基础的病例对照研究设计,对190例PIU青少年和386例频数(性别、年龄)匹配的医院对照进行一般情况和家庭环境量表中文版(FES-CV)评定;使用Logistic回归筛选PIU的相关因素。结果:单因素分析显示,PIU青少年家庭的亲密度(5.64±s2.66vs.7.38±s1.95)、情感表达(4.72±s1.89vs.5.49±s1.62)、知识性(3.82±s2.03vs.4.73±s2.02)、娱乐性(3.45±s2.34vs.4.37±s2.09)和组织性(5.79±s2.02vs.6.28±s1.86)得分显著低于对照组(P均≤0.005),矛盾性(4.14±s2.32vs.2.78±s1.90)和控制性(4.09±s2.06vs.3.52±s1.95)得分显著高于对照组(P均≤0.001);Logistic回归分析表明,父母婚姻状态为在婚(OR=0.62)、抚养人为父母(OR=0.58)、亲密度高(OR=0.81)、知识性高(OR=0.79)和组织性高(OR=0.84)为PIU的保护因素;家长关系差(OR=2.30)、家长有烟酒嗜好(OR=2.11)、母亲受教育年限高(OR=1.12)、父亲受教育年限高(OR=1.18)、矛盾性高(OR=1.14)和控制性高(OR=1.11)为PIU的危险因素。结论:PIU的发生与父母因素、家庭环境有关;预防青少年PIU,需要改善不良的父母因素和家庭因素。     

Dual diagnosis: A review of etiological theories

The etiology of the high prevalence of substance use disorders in patients with severe mental illness (schizophrenia or biopolar disorder) is unclear. We review the evidence of different theories of increased comorbidity, organized according to four general models: common factor models, secondary substance use disorder models, secondary psychiatric disorder models, and bidirectional models. Among common factor models, evidence suggests that antisocial personality disorder accounts for some increased comorbidity. Among secondary substance use disorder models, there is support for the supersensitivity model, which posits that biological vulnerability of psychiatric disorders results in sensitivity to small amounts of alcohol and drugs, leading to substance use disorders. There is minimal support for the self-medication model, but the accumulation of multiple risk factors related to mental illness, including dysphoria, may increase the risk of substance use disorder. Secondary psychiatric disorder models remain to be convincingly demonstrated. Bidirectional models have not been systematically examined. Further clarification of etiologic factors, including the identification of subtypes of dual diagnosis, may have implications for developing more effective prevention efforts and treatment.     

Behavioral addictions in bipolar disorders: A systematic review

Clinical and epidemiological research suggests that behavioral addictions (BA) are associated with a wide range of psychiatric disorders. However, the relationship between BA and bipolar disorders (BD) has not been thoroughly explored. The aim of this systematic review was to critically summarize and evaluate the current available evidence regarding a possible association between BA and BD. A systematic review of major electronic databases according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted from inception to 31st December 2017. We sought quantitative studies data concerning prevalence of comorbidity, features and treatment related to BA-BD comorbidity. Data were narratively synthesized. Of the 1250 studies returned from the search, a total of 28 articles were included in this review. BA may be overrepresented in BD samples, and the other way around. Pathological gambling and kleptomania were the most prevalent conditions followed by compulsive buying, compulsive sexual behavior and internet addiction. BA was also associated with other mood disorders, anxiety disorders and substance use disorder. BD-BA comorbidity was related with more severe course of illness. Studies on treatment strategies for BD–BA comorbidity are rather limited; only one randomized controlled trial that fulfilled inclusion criteria was identified. Methodological heterogeneity in terms of design and results among studies was found. BD-BA commonly co-occurs although there is a need for rigorous studies. Routine screening and adequate assessment may be helpful in BD patients to identify individuals at risk for BA and to effectively manage the complex consequences associated with BA-BD comorbidity.     

An exploratory examination of At-Risk/Problematic Internet Use and disordered eating in adults

PurposeAt-Risk/Problematic Internet Use (ARPIU) has been associated with impairment in multiple domains including psychopathology. The present study examined the relationship between ARPIU and disordered eating in a large community sample.MethodsParticipants (n = 1000) completed an online survey about health behaviors. Two thresholds of ARPIU and disordered eating each were examined.ResultsThe ARPIU and Sub-ED (subthreshold eating disorders) groups reported greater depressive symptoms and poorer self-control than the Control group; the Sub-ED group reported greater impulsivity than the Control group. The ARPIU and Sub-ED groups significantly differed in key features related to each condition. Finally, the co-occurrence of ARPIU and Sub-ED was associated with greater depression. In the second set of analyses based on more stringent thresholds, the Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and ED groups differed on all measures compared to the Control group. The PIU and ED groups also differed on key features related to each condition, but did not differ on measures of impulsivity or self-control. The co-occurrence of PIU and ED was associated with greater depressive symptoms than either PIU or ED independently.ConclusionsARPIU and Sub-ED share links to depression and poor self-control and these may represent possible therapeutic targets across Internet-use and disordered-eating behaviors. Co-occurring PIU and ED at either lenient or stringent thresholds is associated with greater depression. Future studies should examine the temporal nature of these associations and the extent to which targeting depression, Internet use, or disordered eating may lead to improvements across domains.     

Psychiatric and substance dependence comorbidities,sexually transmitted diseases,and risk behaviors among methamphetamine-dependent gay and bisexual men seeking outpatient drug abuse treatment

This article describes psychiatric and substance dependence comorbidities, lifetime rates of infectious disease, and reported high-risk sexual behaviors for methamphetamine-dependent, gay and bisexual men at entry to outpatient drug abuse treatment in Los Angeles. Participants' self-reports of high-risk sexual and drug use behaviors and of history of infectious disease status were correlated with diagnostic information from 155 Structured Clinical Interviews for the DSM-IV (SCID). A total of 82 participants met criteria for lifetime depressive disorders; 44 participants met criteria for lifetime anxiety disorders. Compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses, significant differences were observed in lifetime prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among those who have generalized anxiety disorder (higher rates of genital gonorrhea), specific phobia and major depressive disorder (higher rates of oral gonorrhea), social phobia (higher rates of syphilis) and bipolar disorder, type I (higher rates of HIV). Differences in infectious disease prevalence did not correspond to significantly different rates of high-risk sexual behaviors. Findings indicate that gay and bisexual men seeking outpatient treatment for methamphetamine dependence are likely to experience psychiatric comorbidity and to have high rates of infectious disease, including HIV, syphilis and gonorrhea.     

The co-occurrence of alcoholism with other psychiatric disorders in the general population and its impact on treatment

It is apparent from previous studies in clinical populations that there is a high comorbidity rate between alcoholism and other psychiatric diagnoses. However, this may simply be an expression of Berkson's bias (i.e., an increased tendency for persons with multiple diagnoses to seek and receive treatment and thus fall into study populations drawn from treatment sources). In this article, we use data from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area survey to examine the comorbidity between alcohol abuse and dependence, other substances of abuse and nonsubstance psychiatric disorders in a sample of approximately 20,000 persons drawn from the general population. We also examine the effect of comorbidity on psychiatric treatment. Every one of the psychiatric diagnoses we examined was more likely to occur in alcoholics than in nonalcoholics. Associations were particularly strong with antisocial personality disorder, other substance use and mania. The association between alcoholism and depressive disorders was positive but not very strong. The presence of other illnesses increased the likelihood of utilization of treatment services by alcoholics but did not increase the likelihood that drinking problems would be communicated to a doctor. The findings confirm prior studies of comorbidity in clinical samples and suggest the need for increased vigilance toward alcoholism by physicians.     

Problematic internet use as an age-related multifaceted problem: Evidence from a two-site survey

Background and aimsProblematic internet use (PIU; otherwise known as Internet Addiction) is a growing problem in modern societies. There is scarce knowledge of the demographic variables and specific internet activities associated with PIU and a limited understanding of how PIU should be conceptualized. Our aim was to identify specific internet activities associated with PIU and explore the moderating role of age and gender in those associations.MethodsWe recruited 1749 participants aged 18 and above via media advertisements in an Internet-based survey at two sites, one in the US, and one in South Africa; we utilized Lasso regression for the analysis.ResultsSpecific internet activities were associated with higher problematic internet use scores, including general surfing (lasso β: 2.1), internet gaming (β: 0.6), online shopping (β: 1.4), use of online auction websites (β: 0.027), social networking (β: 0.46) and use of online pornography (β: 1.0). Age moderated the relationship between PIU and role-playing-games (β: 0.33), online gambling (β: 0.15), use of auction websites (β: 0.35) and streaming media (β: 0.35), with older age associated with higher levels of PIU. There was inconclusive evidence for gender and gender × internet activities being associated with problematic internet use scores. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and social anxiety disorder were associated with high PIU scores in young participants (age ≤ 25, β: 0.35 and 0.65 respectively), whereas generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were associated with high PIU scores in the older participants (age > 55, β: 6.4 and 4.3 respectively).ConclusionsMany types of online behavior (e.g. shopping, pornography, general surfing) bear a stronger relationship with maladaptive use of the internet than gaming supporting the diagnostic classification of problematic internet use as a multifaceted disorder. Furthermore, internet activities and psychiatric diagnoses associated with problematic internet use vary with age, with public health implications.     

BAP updated guidelines: evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of substance abuse, harmful use, addiction and comorbidity: recommendations from BAP

The British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines for the treatment of substance abuse, harmful use, addiction and comorbidity with psychiatric disorders primarily focus on their pharmacological management. They are based explicitly on the available evidence and presented as recommendations to aid clinical decision making for practitioners alongside a detailed review of the evidence. A consensus meeting, involving experts in the treatment of these disorders, reviewed key areas and considered the strength of the evidence and clinical implications. The guidelines were drawn up after feedback from participants. The guidelines primarily cover the pharmacological management of withdrawal, short- and long-term substitution, maintenance of abstinence and prevention of complications, where appropriate, for substance abuse or harmful use or addiction as well management in pregnancy, comorbidity with psychiatric disorders and in younger and older people.     

Does Adolescents' Readiness to Change Substance Use Behavior Differ Depending on Profile of Psychiatric Comorbidity?

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Certain psychiatric diagnoses, such as conduct disorder, typically predict more chronic course of substance use in adolescents. Little is known, however, regarding the extent to which an adolescent's profile of psychiatric comorbidity is associated with differences in readiness to change substance use behavior following admission to outpatient treatment.

Methods: Adolescents (N = 169, 14–18 years old) recruited from addictions treatment completed a comprehensive assessment of substance use and other psychiatric disorders, and measures of readiness to change substance use. Latent class analysis was used to identify distinct profiles of comorbid psychopathology, which were then related to measures of readiness to change.

Results: The most prevalent psychiatric disorders were conduct disorder (47%), major depression (29%), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (17%), and oppositional defiant disorder (11%). Latent class analysis identified 6 distinct profiles of psychiatric comorbidity. All profiles included conduct disorder symptoms, with varying severity. The most prevalent class consisted of teens primarily with conduct problems only (23%). Adolescents with low severity externalizing problems (15%) tended to have relatively high readiness to change alcohol use compared to other comorbidity profiles.

Conclusions: Results indicate heterogeneity among youth presenting to addictions treatment, particularly with regard to profile of co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and readiness to change substance use. Youth with overall low severity of externalizing behaviors reported higher readiness to change alcohol use relative to teens with other comorbidity profiles, highlighting the potential importance of enhancing and maintaining teens' readiness to change substance use behavior during treatment, specifically in relation to the adolescent's profile of psychiatric comorbidity.     

American Indian adolescents in substance abuse treatment: diagnostic status

The goal of this study was to describe the prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) psychiatric disorders among a sample of American Indian (AI) adolescents in residential substance abuse treatment. Data on 89 AI adolescents admitted to a tribally operated residential substance abuse treatment program were collected. Participants reported using a mean of 5.26 substances; 20% percent met DSM-IV criteria for four or more substance use disorders. Marijuana abuse/dependence was the most common substance use disorder (84.3%). Eighty-two percent met criteria for at least one DSM-IV nonsubstance use disorder, the most common of which was conduct disorder (74.2%). These results suggest strong diagnostic parallels between these AI adolescents and their non-AI counterparts who have participated in similar studies, including the considerable diagnostic complexity that was common among the participants in this study. These diagnostic patterns suggest that emerging practices for treating substance-abusing adolescents that have been developed for use with non-AI adolescents warrant consideration for use with AI youths.     

How treatments for pathological gambling can be informed by treatments for substance use disorders

Substance use disorders and pathological gambling share similarities in terms of diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, and clinical course. However, relatively few studies have evaluated the efficacy of treatments for gambling disorders. As interest in pathological gambling grows, adaptation of effective treatments from the field of substance abuse may advance the study of treatment for pathological gambling. This article reviews the similarities and differences between pathological gambling and substance use disorders. It describes psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments for substance use disorders and their translation to pathological gambling. Future research should consider investigating the onset and course of pathological gambling within the context of other psychiatric disorders, biological abnormalities associated with gambling, and combined effects of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of this disorder.     

Dual psychiatric diagnosis and substance abuse in pathological gamblers: a preliminary gender comparison study

BACKGROUND: Pathological Gambling (PG) is a highly prevalent and disabling impulse control disorder. Recent studies have consistently shown that PG patients have responded well to treatment with SSRI's, mood stabilizers, and opioid antagonists. These findings have supported the observation that PG is strongly associated with both mood and anxiety disorders as well as substance abuse. The aim of the study is to evaluate the comorbid psychiatric diagnoses in our sample. METHODS: Thirty-six female, and forty-two male PG's were enrolled in our study. A comprehensive psychiatric diagnostic evaluation was performed on all patients, and patients were screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, and the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. In addition, the patients completed self-report questionnaires about their demographic status and substance abuse. RESULTS: The majority of patients were married with full or part-time employment. The study results demonstrated that PG in males is correlated with substance and alcohol abuse. Diagnoses, which were prevalent among our cohort of female PG's included major depression, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. CONCLUSION: In our sample of PGs, the men and women had different patterns of psychiatric comorbidity. The different patterns of psychiatric comorbidity seen in our male versus female PG's raises the question of whether the underlying etiopathology in PG may differ according to gender.     

Pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder and comorbid conditions: baseline data from STEP-BD

Relatively absent from previous studies of the pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder is examination of the impact of comorbidity on treatment choices. This has occurred despite the presence of high levels of comorbid anxiety and substance use disorders, and the association of these disorders with severity and course markers of bipolar disorder. In this study, we examined comorbid disorders, identified by structured interviews, and the pharmacotherapy reported at study entry by the first 1000 patients entered into a large, multicenter study of bipolar disorder (Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder). Our study focused on the degree to which comorbid conditions are linked to the reported use of mood stabilizers deemed "minimally adequate" and the association between specific comorbidities and pharmacotherapy treatment, such as the use of anxiolytics in patients with anxiety disorders. Despite the presence of high levels of comorbidity, the presence of these disorders was only minimally associated with pharmacotherapy. Of the sample of bipolar outpatients, only 59% reported pharmacotherapy use meeting criteria for "minimally adequate" mood stabilizer, regardless of comorbid diagnoses, rapid cycling, or bipolar I or II status. Moreover, the cross-sectional use of "comorbidity-specific" pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and attention deficit disorder in this outpatient sample of patients with bipolar disorders was limited, suggesting that comorbid conditions in patients with bipolar disorder may be undertreated. Our findings highlight the need for greater clinical guidance and treatment options for patients with bipolar disorder and comorbidity.     

Diagnostic interview for genetic studies (DIGS): inter-rater and test-retest reliability of alcohol and drug diagnoses.

The semi-structured diagnostic interview for genetic studies (DIGS) was developed to assess major mood and psychotic disorders and their spectrum manifestations in genetic studies. Our research group developed a French version of the DIGS and tested its inter-rater and test-retest reliability in psychiatric patients. In this article, we present estimates of the reliability of substance use and antisocial personality disorders. High kappa coefficients for inter-rater reliability were found for drug and alcohol as well as antisocial personality diagnoses and slightly lower kappas for test-retest reliability. Combined with evidence of the reliability of major mood and psychotic disorders, these findings support the suitability of the DIGS for studies of familial aggregation and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders including substance use and antisocial personality disorders.     

Serotonergic drugs in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders

Serotonergic dysfunction has been implicated in the aetiology of several psychiatric conditions, including depressive and anxiety disorders. Much of the evidence for the role of serotonin (5-HT) in these disorders comes from treatment studies with serotonergic drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), 5-HT(1A) agonists and 5-HT antagonists. This review considers the place of these drugs in the treatment of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Among these agents, the SSRIs stand out with proven efficacy in the treatment of a spectrum of disorders, such as depression, panic disorder, OCD and social phobia. They may also be a suitable treatment for GAD. 5-HT(1A) agonists have been used extensively for the treatment of depression and GAD but evidence of their efficacy in other anxiety disorders is equivocal. 5-HT antagonists are the least well studied of these agents: while they may have activity in depression, their efficacy has not been fully investigated in anxiety disorders. However, preliminary reports suggest that they may be useful as adjuvants to SSRIs in treatment-refractory OCD. The high incidence of comorbidity amongst psychiatric disorders means that pharmacotherapy that is effective against a range of disorders, such as the SSRIs, is of considerable use to clinicians. Future research into the biological mechanisms underlying such disorders is likely to further enhance pharmacotherapy. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.