Correlation Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Internet Gaming Disorder or Gaming Disorder

Objective:Individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD) or gaming disorder (GD) had a higher prevalence of ADHD than individuals without IGD or GD. The overpathologizing of excessive gaming behaviors may be associated with the functional impairment due to ADHD in individuals with GD.Methods:The present study was designed to compare the gaming patterns, accompanying psychopathology, and co-occurring psychiatric disorders, especially ADHD, between clinical and general gamer samples (17-29 years old).Results:Out of the nine IGD criteria, the item "functional impairment" had low diagnostic accuracy in participants with IGD or GD. The IGD (GD) group had a higher prevalence of ADHD compared to the general gamer group. Conversely, there was a higher prevalence of IGD (GD) in the ADHD group compared to the non-ADHD group.Discussion:The possibility of ADHD should be considered when IGD or GD is diagnosed in patients with problematic Internet gaming.