Internet Gaming Addiction, (known also as internet gaming disorder and videogame addiction) is described as, “persistent and recurrent use of the internet to engage in games, often with other players, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress” (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013, p. 795).
Features may include:
- Compulsive engagement in videogames with mental obsession
- Urges or craving for videogaming
- Need to play videogames more to achieve the desired effect
- Engages in gaming when feeling distressed and/or to avoid feelings (e.g., sad, anxious, jealous)
- Continuing gaming despite negative consequences (e.g., health, work, or relationship issues)
- Loss of control over gaming use with failed attempts to cut back or stop use
- Withdrawal symptoms (e.g., restlessness, irritability, or anger) when unable to play videogames.
Diagnostic Considerations:
Clinicians treat people who describe their experiences with compulsive gaming. When the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was last revised, internet gaming disorder was included in the appendix as a tentative psychiatric condition warranting more research with nine criteria proposed (APA, 2013).
Gaming disorder was added to the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11; World Health Organization, 2018) in 2018 as a behavioral addiction.
Gaming disorder often co-occurs with adjustment disorders, depressive and anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, substance use or other behavioral addictions such as online gambling, cybersex or other disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. When applicable, counselors often diagnose these other disorders.
Treatment:
Treatment for gaming disorder varies dependent on factors including co-occurring disorders. Common psychotherapeutic approaches support emotion regulation enhancement, coping, calming, and communication skills, self-esteem, relationships, conscious awareness of offline experiences, appropriate responses to physical and psychological cues such as triggers to rest, and a new relationship with recreation and play.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Author.
World Health Organization. (2019). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). https://icd.who.int/