Clinical-pathopsychological and psychodiagnostic specifics of comorbid adaptation disorders in people with computer addiction

Abstract

The clinical-psychopathological and psychodiagnostic features of adaptation disorders combined with computer addiction were studied. A comprehensive survey of 97 people with adaptation disorders and clinically pronounced computer addiction (main group) and 62 patients with adaptation disorders without signs of addictive behavior (control group) were carried out. It was established that the clinical picture of adaptation disorders with comorbid computer addiction was characterized by depressive, anxiety, obsessive, asthenic, dysphoric, and somatic-vegetative syndrome complexes, 35.8 % of patients had carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical manifestations of anxiety and depression on the Hospital scale, severe depressive and anxiety episodes on the Hamilton scale, high levels of situational and personal anxiety on the Spielberger–Hanin scale, excessive mental stress on the Nemchin scale are typical for people with adaptation disorders and computer addiction. It was shown that the key role in the pathopsychological mechanisms of comorbid adaptation disorders with computer addiction belongs to the de-actualization of basic personality needs, instability of the level of requirements, the dominance of game motives, the use of coping strategies aimed at distraction and emotion, application of a strategy of behavior in the form of avoidance and adaptation in a conflict situation, high level of social frustration in the areas of their own way of life, family relationships, relationships at work and the content of their work.