The Family Therapy and Inpatients Treatment for the Adolescent Internet Addiction

ABSTRACT

The status and function of family plays the key role in the maintenance, aggravation and recovery of adolescent internet addiction. Especially, the secure attachment and open communication between parents and adolescents can prevent the situation from getting worse. Given the adequate supervision, support and relationship in the family, the adolescents can be immunized against internet addiction. Internet addicts have diverse underlying psychopathologies, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, impulse control disorder, depressive-anxiety disorder, and socialization deficit. The management of the internet addicts needs a holistic approach including medication for the underlying psychopathology, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and educational therapy. In this review article, the authors describe the family education, family therapy and multidisciplinary-integrative inpatient treatment for the adolescent internet addicts.