Profile of internet addiction, anxiety, and depression in patients of mixed anxiety and depressive disorders

Abstract

Background: The Internet plays a very valuable role in knowledge, learning, and skills enhancement. There is scarce literature regarding the profile of internet addiction (IA) in patients of mixed anxiety and depressive disorders among developing countries. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the profile of IA, anxiety, and depression in patients of mixed anxiety and depressive disorders. Methodology: This study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, India. Inclusion criteria comprised adult patients who were diagnosed with ICD 10 diagnostic criteria for mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, having access to the internet, and willing to participate in the study. Patients not having access to the internet and not willing to participate were excluded from the study. The patients were assessed using the IA test (IAT), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Informed consent and Institutional Ethics Committee Clearance was obtained. Data were analyzed biostatistically. Results: Our sample size of n = 60 comprised 60% (n = 36) males and 40% (n = 24) females. The mean age of the sample was 32.6 years. Majority of patients came from the semi-urban area. The mean HAM-D score of the sample was 18.96 and the mean score HAM-A score was 20.2. The mean score of IAT was 34.7. Conclusions: We conclude that the IA is prevalent in patients with mixed anxiety and depressive disorders and clinical rating scales can provide additional symptom profiles for anxiety and depression.

Keywords

• anxiety
• depression
• internet addiction
• mixed anxiety depressive disorder
• profile