Effectiveness of the Prevention Program for Externalizing Problem Behavior (PEP) in Preschoolers with Severe and No or Mild ADHD Symptoms

Background: Internet-Related Disorders represent a rather new phenomenon. There is a need for responding to these disorders by developing aims for treatment, health care, research, and political measures. The present memorandum summarizes available knowledge and provides corresponding aims. Methods: In an iterative process, 21 experts developed a consensus according to the aims described above. The finale text was consented by the executive board of the German Society for Addiction Research and Addiction Treatment. Results: The experts reached an agreement to use the term "Internet-Related Disorder" which covers severe conditions that can currently be best described as addictive disorder. Furthermore, the term includes recurrent harmful use leading to negative consequences and risky use described as a mild disorder that might be a precursor of addiction. Based on the current knowledge, prevalence estimates and risk factors are summarized. The group agrees that evidence for treament and prevention is largely lacking. Finally, the experts derive aims and demands for treamtent, health care, research and political measures. Conclusions: On the one hand, the memorandum exhibits the current knowledge, on the other hand, it uncovers the many glaring gaps. Besides improving a standardized diagnosis there is a special need to develop interventions for prevention and treatment and to prove their efficacy. Aims for improving care are closely related to research issues and both should be promoted by political measures.