[Sleep disorders in Internet addiction]

Abstract

Background: The relationship between sleep disorders and Internet addiction has been little work. Given the importance of these disorders, we felt it appropriate to make a synthesis of available data and to establish causality or accountability between Internet addiction and the onset of sleep disorders.

Methods: A literature review was then performed. We selected scientific articles in English and French, published between 1987 and 2016 by consulting the databases Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. The words used alone or in combination are as follows: addiction, dependence, Internet, behavioral addiction, sleep.

Results: A computer screen light inhibits melatonin secretion and acts as a real external desynchronizer circadian rhythm resulting in a withdrawal syndrome or syndrome sleep phase delay when the stress of social awakening is suppressed.

Conclusion: We assume here that the specific treatment of addictive disorders have an influence on sleep disorders.