Service Development for Behavioural Addictions: AIIMS Experience

Abstract

The concept of behavioural addiction is relatively new. The growing recognition of the behavioural addictions globally and increasing clinical queries catalysed the ongoing deliberations on setting up services for addressing behavioural addictions at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. This led to establishment of what is arguably the first Behavioural Addictions Clinic (BAC) in the country. The clinic is an initiative of the Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Center (NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi. The current article offers an overview of the BAC, AIIMS, New Delhi.

Prevalence and pattern of problematic internet use among engineering students from different colleges in India

“…There is a need to scale up services for PIU in the country by establishing Behavioral Addictions Clinic. [18] Moreover, this study adds to the limited existing literature on risk factors associated with PIU in Indian context. The use of internet more for social networking activities and less for academic purposes was associated with PIU.…”

Youth & mental health: Challenges ahead

“…The internet is also a source of (mis)information, source of which is often not verified and has a potential of harming the young mind. Blue Whale game is a recent example of such a harm45. Increasing violence in the young people is another important issue needing attention since youth are at risk of being victims as well as perpetrators of violence3.…”

“…Cyberbullying is another mode of bullying, which has become increasingly common in the last few years with the increased access to and use of the internet-based services. Behavioural addictions and cyberbullying are two important harmful effects of the modern digital age, which especially affect the young4. Internet use disorder is now being recognized as a new disorder needing therapeutic interventions6.…”

“…Specialized and multidisciplinary care is required for youth with multiple or complex needs. There is also a need to establish dedicated services to address the emerging issues like behavioural addictions among youth4. The emphasis needs to be on reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors, which are common to several risk behaviours, such as substance abuse, self-harm and sexual risk behaviours.…”

Role of Medical Ethics, Epidemiological Studies and Team-based Learning Approach in Medical Education in Improving Clinical Practice and Patient Care

“…These rights are to be protected at all times when a person is undergoing mental healthcare and treatment as an admitted patient or otherwise. Two other Papers by Balhara et al (4) and Saimbi et al (5) are related to mental health issues of another kind, e.g. behavioural addiction and flower phobia and suggest the measures to treat them and how institutions like AIIMS, Delhi are making efforts to manage cases of behavioural addiction.…”