Gaming Addiction

[Audio] Gaming Addiction in Adolescents. Gaming Addiction.

[Audio] Agenda. The importance of gaming addiction. Current classifications and definitions. Adolescent Development. Prevalence. History and Conclusion..

[Audio] It is important to investigate the neurobiological connections to internet gaming disorder (IGD) to understand its clinical implications. Although IGD is not yet officially recognized as a diagnosable disorder, it exhibits symptoms such as a lack of control over gaming time, prioritizing gameplay over essential functions, and impaired social and family functioning. The International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11), lists IGD as a problematic mental health condition characterized by recurrent gaming behavior despite adverse consequences. Understanding the relationship between excessive video gaming and cognitive developmental delays is essential for informed interventions and prevention strategies during adolescence. Further, many young people spend as much as 8 hours daily playing online/offline video games, which can lead to escapism and impulsivity. Additionally, IGD shares symptoms akin to other problematic mental health disorders, e.g.,(SUD)..

[Audio] Importance of Gaming Addiction Cont. It is important to investigate the neurobiological implications of internet gaming disorder (IGD) to identify its clinical implications. Although IGD is not yet officially recognized as a diagnosable disorder, it exhibits symptoms such as a lack of control over gaming time, prioritizing gameplay over essential functions, and impaired social and family functioning. The International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11), lists IGD as a problematic mental health condition characterized by recurrent gaming behavior despite adverse consequences. Understanding the relationship between excessive video gaming and cognitive developmental delays is essential for informed interventions and prevention strategies during adolescence..

[Audio] Classifications/Definitions. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), IGD – is not listed in the DSM. Furthermore, IGD-listed under section III internet gaming disorder (IGD) as a behavioral addiction disorder with a subheading under internet addiction disorder..

[Audio] Classifications/Definitions Cont. International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) lists IGD- as a diagnosable problematic mental health condition characterized by recurrent gaming behavior online/offline with the continuance of the behavior despite adverse consequences from continued use (ICD-11, 2023)..

[Audio] Adolescent Development. The development from adolescence to adulthood is a critical developmental period in which brain regions undergo significant changes and are manipulated by biological/environmental factors contributing to protective/deficit factors of cognitive abilities. Furthermore, the underdeveloped cognitive control system regulates the growth process of emotional regulation during this critical developmental stage (Camerini & Morese, 2021)..

[Audio] Adolescent Development Cont. At this crucial developmental stage, hormonal regulations influence the affective-motivational system, which affects subcortical brain regions conducive to emotion processing, sensitivity to social/emotional stimuli, and motivation/gratification. It has been suggested that an imbalance in brain development in the frontoparietal and the subcortical regions creates a greater vulnerability to risk-taking/novelty-seeking behaviors. Additionally, adolescents cannot respond adequately to positive/negative situations because these develop later..

[Audio] An imbalance in brain development in the frontoparietal and subcortical regions creates greater vulnerability to risk-taking and novelty-seeking behaviors. Adolescents cannot respond adequately to positive/negative situations because these develop later. (Paulus et al., 2018)..

[Audio] Debate. Past research has found connections between studies using brain imaging have revealed that IGD exhibits similar neurobiological changes to other addictions. These include activation in brain regions linked to reward, as seen in cue exposure and craving studies, and neurotransmitter systems suggesting involvement of dopamine-mediated reward mechanisms (Weinstein & Lejoyeux, 2020)..

[Audio] Debate Cont. Further, IGD has been associated with a decrease in impulse control and impaired decision-making. IGD has also been linked to decreased functional connectivity in the brain networks associated with cognitive control, motivation, executive function, and reward. Furthermore, structural changes such as reduced gray-matter volume and white-matter density have been observed. Studies also suggest that individuals with executive control networks in ADHD may be more likely to develop IGD (Farchakh et al., 2020)..

[Audio] Prevalence. The prevalence of IGD in adolescents is as high as 17.7 %, with rates much lower in young adults but still as high as high as 9.1%..

[Audio] Prevalence Cont. It was also found that certain demographic factors such as age, gender, education, and location can impact the likelihood of developing IGD. For example, adolescents living in urban areas appear to have greater access to online games, with up to 90% of online gamers residing in these areas. Furthermore, the prevalence of IGD rates is shown to rely heavily on self-report measures and the honesty with which participants answered truthfully..

[Audio] History of IGD. Gaming disorder is a modern-era disorder that may not have come into existence if not for the manifestation of the first video game systems in the early 1980s, e.g.,(Atari game systems/Arcade games) (Griffiths et al., 2012). Further, the early 1980s saw some of the first reports of gaming addiction ever recorded. Additionally, the first references to behavioral problems associated with IGD started to evolve, with researchers and clinicians reporting shared similar symptoms conducive to other behavioral disorders, compulsive disorders, and substance use disorders (Griffiths et al., 2012). Further, Clinical reporting of parallel symptoms with other behavioral disorders, e.g.,(Compulsive Disorders and Substance Use Disorders)..

[Audio] Current treatment methods have employed various, e.g.,(cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)), pharmacotherapy, and psychological interventions, to treat conditions conducive to IGD (Paulus et al.,2018)..

[Audio] Barriers to Treatment of IGD are noted as cognitive deficits, e.g.,(ADHD), personal attitudes/beliefs of the players, game rewards that feed into the instant gratification of gameplay, escapism, and socialization factors..

[Audio] Conclusion. Problematic gaming is a serious issue that can negatively impact an individual's life. Effective treatment options are crucial to helping those who struggle with excessive gaming behaviors. While there are various treatment options available, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), pharmacotherapy, and self-devised psychological interventions, there is still a need for more consistent approaches to determine their effectiveness..