Chapter 12 - Abnormal Cyberpsychology and Cybertherapy

Chapter Summary

What is abnormal psychology?

• Abnormal psychology is a difficult concept to define. Many definitions refer to ‘the four Ds’ – deviance, distress, dysfunction, danger.
• The study of mental health embraces a broad field of psychological problems that can occur in people’s lives. These problems include stress, anxiety, addiction and mood disorders.

DSM-5 and how it views the Internet

• The Diagnostic Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association is the standard tool used to classify mental disorders. The most recent publication is the DSM-5 (APA, 2013).
• The DSM-5 has identified Internet gamers as an at-risk population, who may develop dependence or an addiction to on-line gaming. The DSM-5 outlines the proposed criteria for inclusion of this disorder for future publications.
• Internet gaming may be similar to gambling as the reward systems of the brain are activated and similar to what occurs in a behavioural addiction.
• A large proportion of the research relating to on-line addiction comes from Asia and further research is necessary for it to be considered as a disorder in the next DSM.
• Problematic Internet Use (PIU) wasn’t included in the DSM-5, but it was considered.

What is the range of Internet-based disorders?

• PIU, problematic computer use, Internet addictions, Internet dependency and pathological Internet use are all terms that relate to problematic Internet use.
• Traditional models of addiction have been used to explain Internet addiction.
• Sex, gambling, online relationships and shopping are also included as problematic.

Internet gaming

• Internet gaming has attracted a lot of media and academic attention.
• Gamers identify that they play games for entertainment, leisure, and also as an emotional coping mechanism.
• Some hard-core players may suffer from emotional problems and low self-esteem.
• The cultural context of gaming needs to be considered.

Social networking

• Social networking sites are very much part of everyday life.
• Kim (2013) investigated the types of gratifications that SNS offers users. These include diversion, self-presentation and relationship building.
• There can be consequences to social networking sites – these include the negative impact that they can have on the sense of self of adolescents and the impact on their self-worth and self-esteem.
• The negative impacts can also be seen in the workplace and can impact negatively on work performance.
• Social isolation can be an issue.

Mobile phone separation anxiety and the Internet

• Mobile phone addiction and dependency is considered a reasonably new problem.
• Mobile phones can provide identity and prestige among the peer group.
• Mobile phones are fun and have many functions.
• Addiction to mobile phones is different from other addictions as there are currently are no social consequences.
• People can become anxious when separated from their mobile phone.
• Nomophobia is a relatively new word that refers to the fear of being out of mobile phone contact, a run-down battery or losing the phone itself.

Pathological Internet usage

The possibility of Internet addiction

• Internet Addiction Disorder is not considered as an addiction by the DSM-5.
• However, it has been widely investigated by researchers such as Young and Griffiths.

Is it possible to be addicted to the Internet?

• This is a topic that is attracting a lot of research attention.
• Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is widely used to test Internet addiction.
• Research indicates that many adolescents show problematic behaviour.
• Research has also shown links to poor physical health as well as poor mental health.

Treatment options

• It is important to recognise that Internet addiction is a disease of contemporary society.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) may be a useful therapeutic option.
• Abstinence is another option; however, this is difficult due to the prevalence of the Web in our lives.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Internet Addiction (CBT-IA) may be an option along with Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT).

Using technology to support recovery

• Virtual Reality (VR) has been identified as a potentially useful treatment for a number of mental health problems – i.e. anxiety, depression, addiction.
• Virtual Environments (VE) can support CBT interventions.
• Gaming has been identified as useful in improving mood.
• Computerised CBT (cCBT) has the potential to be used as a self-help or therapist-based tool and can cover a wide range of health diffiulties.
• Computer gaming is useful in helping to treat children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.
• Online counselling has been effective in offering treatment for a number of years now.