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Gaming Disorder, Internet

Jennifer W. Caceres, M.D. Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is where the “gamers” play compulsively, to the exclusion of other interests resulting in clinically significant impairment or distress.

  • For gaming diso...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Thorough history

  • DSM-5 section III proposed symptoms of IGD include:

    • Preoccupation with gaming

    • Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is taken away or not possible (sadness, anxiety, irritabili...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered efficacious (5)[A].

  • Suggested psychotherapies (6)[C]:

    • CBT is suggested to improve inhibitory control ability, recognize malad...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for toddlers <18 months of age except video chatting.

  • For children 2 to 5 years, limit are for 1 hr/day for hig...

REFERENCES

1
Paulus  FW, Ohmann  S, von Gontard  A, et al. Internet gaming disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol.  2018;60(7):645–...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Gentile  D. Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8 to 18: a national study. Psychol Sci.  2009;20(5):594–602. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

CODES

SNOMED

  • 735551007 Gaming disorder

  • 735552000 Gaming disorder predominantly online

  • 735553005 Gaming disorder predominantly offline

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • IGD is considered a mental health disorder where the “gamers” play compulsively, to the exclusion of other interests resulting in clinically significant impairment or distress with sym...

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