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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
[Internet and videogame addiction: a review]
Cristiano Nabuco de Abreu1, Rafael Gomes Karam, Dora Sampaio Góes
1Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. nabuco@netpoint.com.br
Revista Brasileira De Psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999)
|July 2, 2008
Summary
Internet and electronic game addiction is a growing global concern impacting millions. Research shows varied prevalence rates and significant life consequences, necessitating further study for classification.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Sciences
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Internet and electronic games are ubiquitous, leading to widespread use.
- Healthy usage has shifted to abuse, negatively affecting millions of users' daily lives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review literature on Internet and electronic game addiction in the general population.
- To evaluate the progression of these addiction concepts over the last decade.
- To enhance understanding of Internet and electronic game addiction and its comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was performed.
- Databases searched included MedLine, Lilacs, SciELO, and Cochrane.
- Search terms included "Internet addiction", "pathological internet use", "internet abuse", "videogame", "computer games", and "electronic games" up to December 2007.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates of Internet and electronic game addiction vary significantly across countries.
- Discrepancies in prevalence are likely due to a lack of consensus and diverse diagnostic criteria.
- Abusive use and dependence lead to severe professional, academic, social, and family life consequences.
Conclusions:
- Further research is required to establish Internet and electronic game addiction as a distinct psychiatric classification.
- Alternatively, these behaviors may be understood as symptoms of other underlying disorders.
- Clarifying diagnostic criteria and understanding the scope of these addictions are crucial.
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