TikTok's rapid rise has spurred concerns about its potential to cause problematic use behaviors, which some consider akin to addiction. This systematic review seeks to understand the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TikTok use within the scope of clinical psychology. From September 15, 2023 to March 30, 2024 a systematic review was conducted to investigate whether this new pathological condition can be recognized as a behavioral addiction. We searched the following databases for relevant studies: PubMed, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), PsycINFO, MDPI, Frontiers in Psychology, ScienceDirect, and ReserchGate. We identified a total of 294 unique articles. 45 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and only 21 of these met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final systematic review. We identified factors like salience, craving, and abstinence related to problematic TikTok use, confirming its potential risk as a behavioral addiction. Currently, there are neither established guidelines, nor an acceptable number of clinical cases, to determine the inclusion of TikTok addiction within an official classification. Additional considerations include the assessed target population, geographical differences, and the lack of specific treatments or interventions. Our study confirms that problematic TikTok use must be considered an addiction both for the considerable risk it entails and for its developmental trajectory. Through the analysis of the included studies, we confirmed elevated levels of salience, abstinence, tolerance, craving, excessive use, desire to control consumption, and alterations in daily life habits associated with problematic TikTok use.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased stress factors affected people’s motivations to engage in potentially addictive behaviors. Sexuality, understood as one of the psychological aspects to be investigated to explore the level of psychological well-being of a person, has suffered considerable repercussions due to the pandemic. A growing body of evidence suggests an unprecedented increase in Internet use and online pornography consumption during the pandemic. Since March 2020, during the lockdown period, Pornhub has seen a worldwide increase in pornography use of 11.6% compared to the previous average days. This research was conducted with the aim of exploring the possible increasing use of pornographic material during the lockdown period, in order to assess whether dysfunctional behaviors, such as compulsive behaviors, and thoughts of sex-related obsessives can lead to hypersexual behavior or a more severe Sexual Addiction. The individuals who participated in our research were 18 years of age or older (mean 23.1, s.d. 5.8), and 48% male and 52% females and were recruited online to complete a self-report questionnaire in the period between April 2020 and April 2021. The questionnaires were delivered via main social networks. The tool used for our survey was the SAST (Sexual Addiction Screening Test), a questionnaire including socio-demographic data and data relating to sexual practices, such as sexual orientation and time spent on the Internet for sexual activities. The results revealed significant differences concerning the various factors investigated such as loss of control, addictive symptoms and hide score.

New digital interventions have shown potential in managing asthma and improving patients’ quality of life compared with conventional interventions. Our objective was to conduct an exhaustive survey of the application of digital health technologies in evaluating, treating, and self-managing psychological and psychopathological elements linked to asthma. We analyzed a compendium of research papers pertaining to asthma, encompassing themes such as outdoor air pollution, early life wheezing disorders, atopic dermatitis, digital strategies for asthma self-management, psychiatric conditions and asthma, familial impacts on pediatric asthma, and the utilization of mobile health apps for managing asthma. We scrutinized six chosen studies to evaluate the capacity of digital health technologies to enhance the management and treatment outcomes of psychological factors related to asthma. The studies under review indicate that eHealth interventions, mixed reality instruments, mHealth technology-augmented nurse-led interventions, and smartphone apps incorporating Bluetooth-enabled sensors for asthma inhalers can markedly enhance self-management of symptoms, quality of life, and mental health outcomes, particularly in children and adolescents with asthma. Nonetheless, additional research is required to ascertain their efficacy and practicability across diverse populations and environments. Customized interventions that cater to the unique needs and preferences of asthma patients and associated psychological elements are vital to ensure the persistent and equitable adoption of these technologies. We underscore the significance of addressing psychological elements in the management and treatment of asthma and advocate for ongoing research and development in this domain.

Respiratory changes are often associated with anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder (PD). Individuals experiencing PD are subjected to unexpected panic attacks, marked by overwhelming anxiety and fear, leading to a variety of autonomic and respiratory symptoms. PD patients have increased sensitivity to carbon dioxide (CO2). In response to respiratory stimulants like CO2, patients with PD tend to hyperventilate and panic, triggering the activation of an excessively reactive fear network. While their respiratory physiology may appear normal, the presence of subtle breathing abnormalities and other functions related to bodily homeostasis. This fear network, comprising the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and its connections to the brainstem, seems to be hypersensitive in PD’s patients. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the current landscape on the link between PD and respiratory disorders. In July 2023 a literature search was undertaken for articles examining the relationship between PD, respiratory disorders, and psychological implications. Multiple databases were searched: PubMed, PubMed Central, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Elsevier Journal, Health & Medical Collection, and Springer. The analysis of six studies focused on the correlation between PD and asthma revealed important links between these two disorders. Anxiety and panic can have significant impacts on the manifestation and aggravation of asthma. Furthermore, the review indicates that psychological therapeutic approaches, in particular cognitive-behavioral therapy, may represent a valid intervention to improve clinical outcomes in patients suffering from both disorders. Future investigations in this field may help highlight new intervention strategies in the psychological area to help individuals with PD decrease concomitant asthma, significantly improving their quality of life.

Eating disorders (ED) represent complex conditions with multifactorial etiopathogenesis. Recent scientific findings suggest that diabetes, a chronic disease profoundly influencing eating habits, could significantly contribute to the risk of developing ED. Both type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients are identified as susceptible to developing binge eating disorder (BED) and other dysfunctional eating behaviors, such as diabulimia, a condition not yet officially recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Diabulimia is characterized by a deliberate choice to omit or limit necessary insulin doses, with the aim of losing weight or limiting weight gain. This scoping review aims to consolidate the latest evidence on the bidirectional relationship between ED and diabetes, as well as their impact on patients’ quality of life. The findings from various studies reveal varied prevalence estimates, as diabetic patients often do not meet the formal diagnostic criteria for ED. Nonetheless, having diabetes appears to increase the risk of developing dysfunctional eating patterns. Simultaneously, the presence of an ED may heighten the risk of developing T2DM. Given this bidirectional relationship between ED and diabetes, this evidence underscores the importance for healthcare professionals, particularly those in diabetes care, to implement screening programs aimed at preventing and/or treating ED. Such initiatives could significantly improve patient outcome and quality of life.

Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders have a higher prevalence and frequency of smoking rates when compared to the rest of the population; to this, it must be added that they develop a greater dependence and have some worse health consequences than the general population. This is qualitative research on the perception of smoking in healthcare professionals assigned to psycho-rehabilitation programs for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The point of view of health personnel (Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Pedagogists, and Nurses) about cigarette smoking in these patients was analyzed, focusing on their implications in disturbance and comparing them with e-cigarettes too. The methodology used to collect the data was a semi-structured interview with five questions. The research path was carried out in two assisted therapeutic communities that are clinics for the rehabilitation of serious mental illness in the period between November and July 2022. The results showed that the opinion of health professionals on smoking is very negative. Research has also shown that nearly all patients are smokers; however, their high grade of addiction is caused by periods of high stress due to various factors that lead patients to consume a greater number of cigarettes. Almost all respondents have a positive opinion of the e-cigarette, which was defined as an excellent substitute for traditional cigarettes.