Comprehensive approach to therapy of adaptation disorders associated with computer addiction
Authors: Starodubtseva Yu. A. 
Published: June 2020

Background. In modern conditions there is a quick increase in non-chemical addictions, primarily computer addiction. Unfortunately, patients with non-chemical addictions do not fall into the field of view of doctors at the early stages of the development of the disease. They seek specialized help when addiction becomes a chronic process; due to disability, and delinquent behavior, which contributes to a violation of social functioning and quality of life of the patient and his family.

Objective – to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive program for the treatment of adaptation disorders associated with computer addiction, based on the study of clinical, psychopathological and pathopsychological patterns of their formation.

Materials and methods. The study involved 117 patients with signs of computer addiction according to the results of AUDIT-like tests and with adaptation disorders. The main group consisted of 66 patients who took part in the complex therapy program using the methods of pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psycho-education; control group – 51 patients who received standard regulated therapy in a medical institution. We used such study methods: clinical-anamnestic; clinical-psychopathological, using AUDIT-like tests for a comprehensive assessment of addictive status, psychodiagnostic using a hospital scale of anxiety and depression, Hamilton anxiety rating scale, Hamilton depression rating scale, the questionnaire of neuro-psychic tension according to T. A. Niemchyn; statistical.

Results. The clinical picture of computer addiction noted: compulsive surfing in a computer network (45.8±1.6% of the examined), computer games (22.3±1.2%), virtual communication (5.8±0.4%), gambling on-line (14.1±1.1%), passion for porn sites (1.2±0.1%). All examined patients received pharmacotherapy – antidepressants (SSRI) and anxiolytic drugs. and anxiolytic drugs. The psychotherapeutic complex included the use of rational psychotherapy, personality-oriented psychotherapy, existential psychotherapy, art therapy (painting technique). Psycho-educational work included the use of information modules, motivational trainings, the formation of communicative skills, problem-oriented discussions and teaching coping skills. Psychotherapeutic and psycho-educational work was aimed at determining the patient’s resource in overcoming computer addiction and its occurrence. Due to effects of the developed comprehensive program for the treatment of adaptation disorders associated with computer addiction, positive dynamics of the emotional status of patients were achieved, reduction of manifestations of anxiety and depression by HADS, reduction of manifestations of severe depressive and anxious episodes according to the Hamilton scales as well as reduce neuropsychic stress on a scale of T. A. Niemchyn were indicated.

Conclusions. A comprehensive system for the treatment of adaptation disorders associated with computer addiction should include a combination of pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psycho-education. Positive dynamics of the emotional status of patients, the predominance of subclinical manifestations or the absence of anxiety and depression on the HADS scale; mild depressive and anxious episodes or their absence according to the HAM-D and HAM-A scales; reduction of neuropsychic stress on a scale of T. A. Niemchyn as well as stability of the therapeutic effect during a two-year follow-up study indicates the effectiveness of the developed comprehensive therapy program.