An analysis of all published articles on internet gaming disorder (IGD) notes that the condition has a complex psychosocial background, and many personal, neurobiological, familial, and environmental factors may put certain individuals at increased risk.

The Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology review notes that the tentative definition of IGD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is a good starting point for diagnosing the condition, with the most stringent criteria including a build-up of tolerance (more time needs to be spent playing computer games), loss of control, giving up other interests, and excessive use despite clear-cut psychosocial and health-related problems. There are, however, weaknesses of the DSM-5 definition.

The evidence of a diagnostic entity of IGD and the pathways to the disorder are not entirely clear, and long-term follow-up studies are lacking.

Source: Read Full Article