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Purpose of review The year 2018 was marked by the official recognition of Gaming Disorder (GD) as a mental condition with its inclusion in the proposed eleventh edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Recently, a group of scholars has repeatedly criticized the notion of GD proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), arguing that its inclusion in ICD-11 would pathologize highly involved but healthy gamers. It is therefore of crucial importance to clarify the characteristics of high involvement versus pathological involvement in video games, the boundaries between these constructs, and the implementation of screening and diagnostic GD tools that distinguish the two. Recent findings Increasing evidence supports the view that intense video game playing may involve patterns of gaming that are characterized by high involvement but that are non-pathological. Furthermore, some criteria for addictive and related disorders may reflect peripheral features that are not necessarily indicative of pathology, whereas others may reflect core features that are more likely to adequately identify pathological behavior and so have diagnostic validity. Finally, it is key to assess functional impairment associated with gaming, so that a GD diagnosis has clinical utility. Summary Available evidence supports the crucial need to distinguish between high and pathological involvement in video games, in order to avoid overdiagnosis and pathologization of normal behavior. The definition of GD adopted in ICD-11 has clinical utility and diagnostic validity since it explicitly mentions the functional impairment caused by problem gaming and its diagnostic guidelines refer to core addiction features, reflecting pathological involvement.

Purpose of Review The 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) categorizes gambling disorder in the section on substance-related and addictive disorders, and the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) includes both gambling and gaming disorder as disorders due to addictive behaviors. However, there is less evidence for other putative behavioral addictions. This review focuses on requirements for epidemiological studies of disorders that may be considered as behavioral addictions and compares the current state of research with principles of sound epidemiological research. Recent Findings In studies of behavioral addictions, samples are often quite small, which may lead to increased random error. The lack of sound assessment tools—particularly the lack of agreed-upon diagnostic criteria and standardized diagnostic interviews—may also increase systematic error. Other concerns related to systematic bias include the use of convenience samples, lack of pro-active recruitment, inadequate assessment of confounding variables, and a dearth of representative and longitudinal studies. Summary This review recommends that future studies of putative behavioral addictions should more closely adhere to methodological standards of epidemiological research to reduce random and systematic error. Specific recommendations are detailed to advance epidemiological research in this area with the aim of improving the evidence base and generating more refined public health recommendations and policies.

Purpose of Review This narrative review is aimed at summarizing the scientific evidence suggesting that the core psychological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and gambling disorder are also involved in gaming disorder. Recent Findings Theoretical models that aim to explain the development and maintenance of gaming disorder focus on cue reactivity and craving as well as on reduced inhibitory control processes and dysfunctional decision-making as core processes underlying symptoms of gaming disorder. The empirical evidence, including studies and meta-analyses with patients with gaming disorder and both nongamers and recreational gamers as control subjects, emphasizes the relevance of these theoretically argued core processes in gaming disorder. Summary Scientific evidence suggests that the core mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and gambling disorder are also involved in gaming disorder. Inclusion of gaming disorder in ICD-11 as a disorder due to addictive behaviors, along with gambling disorder, is justified.

Purpose of Review With increasing use of the Internet throughout our daily lives, Internet use disorders (IUDs) due to addictive behaviors are gaining recognition. As an umbrella term, IUD covers an array of online behaviors that are potentially addictive. The growing population of Internet and smartphone users also raised public health concerns over IUD in regard to adverse cognitive, developmental, psychosocial, and physical consequences. While scientific literature to date has tended to focus on specific forms of IUD such as gaming or pornography, confining our attention to only these specific areas may impede research on the combined effects of multiple online addictive behaviors—often the clinical reality in maladapted Internet use. Taking this broader approach may also facilitate prioritization in policymaking and more efficient allocation of public health and clinical resources. This paper discusses conceptual application of a public health model at the society level and an integrative model at the individual level in IUD intervention strategies. Current treatment modalities of IUD are also reviewed from a biopsychosocial perspective. Recent Findings We propose that the harms of IUD are mediated by (1) risky/harmful content, (2) excessive/maladaptive use, and (3) financial burden. Prevention strategies that reduce the potential negative effects of these mediators may be useful against IUD. Summary Prevention and intervention efforts against IUD should not only target the “host” (individual vulnerabilities) but also the “agent” (media-related risks) and “environment” risks to better address complexities in the phenomena. The current mainstream therapeutic modality is psychosocial intervention. Further studies on psychopharmacology and neuromodulation are needed to broaden our therapeutic options for IUD.tf

Purpose of Review The American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization have begun to recognize a number of behavioral disorders in their revised diagnostic criteria of mental health disorders. The current review focuses upon examining developmental trajectories associated with gambling, gaming, and Internet disorders. Recent Findings While epidemiological studies indicate a growing number of individuals are experiencing a variety of behavioral disorders, many of these disorders have their etiology and origins during childhood and adolescence. The research suggests the importance of considering developmental trajectories when examining gambling, gaming, and Internet disorders (e.g., social networking addiction, smartphone addiction). Higher prevalence rates for each of these disorders have been found among adolescents compared with adults. Individuals experiencing each of these disorders have been shown to have concomitant-associated mental health, academic, social, familial, and interpersonal problems. Summary With time, most youths (age 12–18) seem to outgrow many of these disorders or modify their behaviors to an acceptable level as they assume adult responsibilities. A better understanding of developmental trajectories associated with behavioral disorders along with their respective risk and protective factors will ultimately enable researchers and clinicians to develop more effective prevention and treatment programs.

Purpose of Review To conduct a systematic review of recent case-control studies investigating the similarities and differences between gambling disorder (GD), substance use disorders (SUDs), and behavioral addictions (BAs). Recent Findings A total of 36 studies were identified for synthesis, with 56% comparing GD to SUDs, 36.11% comparing GD to other BAs, and 8.33% comparing to both. The results indicated that GD and SUDs/BAs do not present with overall differences in neurocognitive, clinical, and impulsivity dimensions. Rather, GD is associated with more nuanced differences in these dimensions. In contrast, GD was likely to present with significant differences in personality although with conflicting results in the directionality and dimensions of the personality trait compared to SUDs/BAs. Summary GD warrants classification as a disorder due to addictive behaviors. However, nuanced differences exist between GD and SUDs/BAs, which should be taken into account in the conceptualization of GD as an addiction.