Globalization, internet and psychiatric disorders: Call for research and action in global mental health

Background

Studies have largely analyzed the association between globalization and mental health. However, the main focus has been on the challenges of migration trauma and living together into multicultural societies. Yet, Internet-related mental disorders are poorly studied, while Internet, as the main tool of 21st century globalization, is reconceptualizing psychiatric illnesses.

Aims

This current debate paper discusses the association between globalization, Internet and mental disorders. It aims to stimulate a current, important, urgent and necessary debate to integrate this important characteristic of globalization in the genesis, etiology, and treatment of mental disorders.

Observations

Although studies have been conducted on the relation between mental health and Internet (cyberbullying, online gambling addiction, cyberdependence, etc.), none has integrated globalization in their analysis. Similarly, Internet-related traumas are less explored, while traumatic images from the Internet are increasingly present in the children, adolescents and adults’ lives. Also, globalization is based primarily on the interconnectedness of institutions, populations and individuals and plays an increasingly key role in the individuals’ life. The resulted hyperconnectivity is bringing new mental disorders, reconceptualizing others and, above all, can obsolete mental disorder classification manuals if the various factors associated with it are not integrated.

Conclusions

This study shows that it is important to adapt our tools for assessing, classifying and describing mental disorders in the light of this new reality of globalization. With a perspective both as a researcher and a clinician, it shows research and action options needed before the train is too far away and difficult to catch.