THE COGNITIVE PROFILE AND DIFFERENT PRESENTATIONS OF INTERNET ADDICTION IN TEENAGERS: TWO CASE REPORTS

Internet Addiction is commonly comorbid with psychiatric conditions. Some neuropsychological studies have shown that many people with Internet Addiction are significantly impulsive; others suggest that Internet Addiction co-occurs with academic impairment. However, Internet Addiction may also occur in individuals with a wide range of other cognitive and psychiatric profiles. We present neuropsychological and clinical evaluations of two teenagers with Internet Addictions: 1) an adolescent with a normal cognitive profile but a pervasive developmental disorder and a preference for virtual life and 2) a young adult with motor and cognitive impulsivity issues combined With alcoholism and attention -deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptomatologies. The case studies had distinct cognitive and psychiatric profiles from one another, although both showed significant academic impairments even the adolescent with cognitive functioning integrity. The psychiatric and cognitive features of both participants and their relationship to outcomes are discussed.