Internet and psychopathology: A complex paradigm

Psychopathology refers to the scientific exploration of abnormal mental states. The advent of internet has changed the way human beings experience their life and the world around them. There is hardly any aspect of the modern living experience that has remained uninfluenced from internet. The same is true for the field of psychopathology as well. The unprecedented pace of digital revolution with ever increasing utilization of internet-based technologies for different purposes, apart from providing a world of exciting opportunities, has also been associated with several negative consequences. This relatively newer addition to the human living experience is also reflected in the inclusion of newer diagnostic categories in the current diagnostic system (thereby meaning addition of new psychopathology). It has also impacted the experience, manifestation, and communication of psychopathology that existed for years even before advent of the Internet. The current article offers a description of the various clinically relevant human behavioral manifestations that are shaped by our exposure to the Internet and related technology. It also proposes a scheme for categorizing these clinically relevant human behavioral manifestations. This categorization is expected to have clinical and research implications going ahead.