Recommendations for Identifying and Addressing Addiction to Video Games

Abstract

Over a decade has passed since the inclusion of internet gaming disorder (commonly known as video game addiction) in the DSM-5. The purpose of this article is to provide an up-to-date overview of internet gaming disorder. The article further reviews the challenges health service psychologists could face in identifying and evaluating internet gaming disorder, such as the ambiguity in defining “excessive gaming,” the clinical utility of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and the lack of an internationally standardized tool in measuring internet gaming disorder. The authors provide recommendations on these issues based on empirical research findings and interviews with clinicians working with patients diagnosed with internet gaming disorder.

Continuing Education Information

1 CE Credit, Instructional Level: Intermediate

1 Contact Hour (New York Board of Psychology)

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe internet gaming disorder.
2. Identify the challenges health service psychologists could face in identifying and evaluating internet gaming disorders.
3. Compare recommendations on the issues of identification and evaluation of internet gaming disorder.

Disclosures: No conflicts of interest to disclose. Generative AI was not used in the development or content.

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