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Internet Gaming Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Addiction

  • Technology Addiction (J Billieux, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To examine the degree of relatedness between Internet gaming disorder (IGD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use disorders.

Recent Findings

IGD is phenomenologically distinct from OCD, and its relationship with OCD, although apparently strong, is not specific. At a neurobiological level, IGD and OCD appear to differ, but more studies directly comparing the two disorders are needed. IGD was conceptualized as a behavioral addiction, which has been controversial. Limited data on co-occurrence of IGD and substance use disorders do not suggest their strong relationship. However, they are similar in terms of greater sensitivity to reward, impaired executive control, and impaired risky decision-making—features that are also largely shared with impulsivity.

Summary

IGD appears to be more characterized by impulsivity than compulsivity. If the hallmark of behavioral addictions is the initial impulsivity followed by compulsivity, IGD may be more akin to an impulse-control disorder than a behavioral addiction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sydney Medical School, Nepean, Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Vladan Starcevic

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Nepean Hospital, PO Box 63, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Vladan Starcevic

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    Elias Aboujaoude

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  1. Vladan Starcevic
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  2. Elias Aboujaoude
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Correspondence to Vladan Starcevic.

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Dr. Vladan Starcevic and Dr. Elias Aboujaoude declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Technology Addiction

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Starcevic, V., Aboujaoude, E. Internet Gaming Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Addiction. Curr Addict Rep 4, 317–322 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0158-7

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