Internet Addiction: Real-Life Implications

Abstract

In this chapter, the real-life implications of Internet addiction will be addressed. The Internet addiction treatment experts who were interviewed highlighted the existence and severity of Internet addiction as psychopathology requiring professional therapy. Clients who seek help for their Internet addiction—related problems experience their condition as distressing and as significantly impairing their functioning. Internet addiction fulfils the conditions for a mental disorder classification as outlined in the DSM-5 by the American Psychiatric Association (2013). Internet addiction should be taken seriously not to marginalise those affected. Parents and significant others, researchers and clinicians, and health care and insurance providers may benefit from the presented insights. The findings add to the establishment of a relevant knowledge base of potential problems related to Internet overuse.