Internet Use Disorder: Subtypes

Dr-Elze.de Dr. Elze

Several subtypes of Internet Use Disorder have been proclaimed, such as overwhelming, or inappropriate pornography use, online-gaming, online social networking, blogging, or internet-shopping.

Young et al. proposed the following 5 subtypes:

• cybersexual addiction,
  
  
• cyber-relational addiction,
  
  
• net compulsions,
  
  
• information overload, and
  
  
• computer addiction.

(cf. Young 1999).

In some cases, these “subtypes” may be symptoms of other mental health problems. Excessive internet-shopping for example may be a symptom of a depressive disorder, excessive social networking may be an avoidance-behaviour in persons with social phobia, etc.

Dr. Sandra Elze & Dr. Michael Elze