October 20, 2021
The specific type of gaming disorder (GD) that is the focus of this review is "disordered video-gaming," or more precisely the addictive potential of interactive video games played on mobile phones, gaming consoles, individual computers, and over networks. Certain characteristics of such games, including structured rewards and multi-modal sensory stimulation, contribute to that addictive potential. Networked games also allow for direct social engagement through role playing and cooperation with others. They also lead to further opportunities for participation in a wider community of players on forums outside gameplay, such as discussion platforms, video play-through analyses, or live-streaming.
The authors performed a systematic search of the peer-review literature, and identified 29 studies exploring the relationship between Addend GD.
All studies found a positive association between ADHD and GD. Of studies reporting effect sizes, seven reported small effect sizes, three reported medium ones, and three reported large ones. There was a similarly wide variety of reported effect sizes among studies that reported correlations between ADHD scales and GD scales. These ranged from r = .12 (small) to r = .45(large).
Three studies examined longitudinal outcomes. One reported that lower ADHD scores at baseline predicted positive long-term recovery. Another noted that GD was more likely to develop into significant psychiatric symptoms and poorer educational outcomes two years later. The third study found that higher ADHD and GD scores were associated with higher incidences of delinquent or aggressive behaviors and externalizing problems, as compared to a sample with ADHD but not GD. All three studies reported that ADHD was a risk factor for the development of problematic gaming behavior. There was no clear indication of the reverse relationship - GD predicting ADHD.
The authors concluded, "This review found a consistent positive association between ADHD and GD, particularly for the inattention subscale. The strength of the association between ADHD and GD was variable. On symptom severity ratings, there was a positive relationship between scores measuring GD and ADHD pathology in some studies. Fewer studies in this review showed hyperactivity was commonly associated with GD. It is well known that hyperactivity in ADHD tends to improve significantly with age. It is possible that the natural progression of the disorder resulted in lower rates of hyperactivity. Such a hypothesis is strengthened by findings of a stronger association with hyperactivity among children aged between 4 and 8."
Ideas for policy interventions to address disordered video gaming include:
· Parental controls on games.
· Warning messages similar to those on cigarette packaging.
· Organizing help services for gamers.
The authors called for further study on:
· Effectiveness of intervention strategies.
· The contribution of GD to the dysfunction associated with ADHD.
· The relationship between the content of play (e.g., violence) and motivation to play (e.g., escapism) and ADHD symptoms.
role-playin· The role of depression, anxiety, and another comorbidity in mediating the relationship between ADHD and GD
"Clinicians should beware that ADHD is common in GD," the authors emphasized, "and we, therefore, recommend that ADHD is screened for when evaluating GD as part of routine practice. This would ensure interventions aimed at ADHD can be successfully combined with GD treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes."
Pravin Dullur, Vijay Krishnan, Antonio MendozaDiaz, "A systematic review of the intersection of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and gaming disorder," Journal of Psychiatric Research133 (2021), 212-222, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.026.
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A recent study from Istanbul sheds light on how psychiatric admissions and diagnoses changed during the first few months of the pandemic compared to previous periods, offering critical insights for parents, clinicians, and policymakers.
This study, conducted by a team of researchers led by Ozalp Ekinci, examined psychiatric admissions among children and adolescents during 2019 and 2020.
By looking at diagnosis rates for various psychiatric conditions, the researchers aimed to pinpoint shifts in the mental health landscape as a direct response to the pandemic.
The analysis revealed several notable trends in psychiatric diagnoses among children and adolescents:
This study’s findings highlight some key takeaways that can guide mental health support efforts for children and adolescents:
As we continue to see the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, studies like this one serve as important reminders of the unique mental health needs of young people. Supporting children and adolescents through proactive and targeted mental health services—especially during times of crisis—will be crucial to fostering resilience and well-being in future generations.
Adult ADHD has long been a subject of debate in the field of mental health, with previous estimates of its prevalence varying widely. To achieve a more precise understanding, an international team of researchers conducted a new umbrella review and meta-analysis, offering an updated estimate of adult ADHD rates worldwide.
This large-scale analysis combined five systematic reviews and meta-analyses, incorporating data from 57 unique primary studies. Altogether, the research synthesized findings from a pooled total of over 21 million participants. This comprehensive approach provided a more accurate estimate of the global prevalence of ADHD in adults.
The study concluded that the worldwide prevalence of adult ADHD is 3.1%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 2.6% to 3.6%. This estimate falls within the range of earlier reports but provides a more targeted understanding of the rate at which ADHD affects adults globally.
The researchers described this prevalence rate as “relatively high.” They noted that it is only slightly lower than the estimated prevalence of major mental health conditions like schizophrenia (4%) and major depressive disorder (5%)—disorders that have historically received significant attention and resources worldwide.
Moreover, the prevalence of adult ADHD is higher than that of several other well-known mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder (1%), as well as anxiety disorders such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), and panic disorders.
This updated estimate emphasizes that ADHD is a significant global mental health concern in adults, comparable to or exceeding the prevalence of other disorders that are often more widely recognized. These findings underscore the need for greater awareness, research, and treatment options for adult ADHD, which is still frequently misunderstood or overlooked in the broader discourse of mental health.
By providing a clearer picture of how prevalent ADHD is in adult populations around the world, this study contributes valuable data that could shape future research, policy, and clinical approaches.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains a prevalent condition among children and adolescents in the United States. A recent analysis based on the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC, provides an updated look at ADHD prevalence from 2018 to 2021. Here’s a closer look at what the data reveals.
The NHIS is an annual survey primarily conducted through face-to-face interviews in respondents’ homes. Telephone interviews are used as a substitute in cases where travel is impractical. For each family interviewed, one child aged 3-17 is randomly selected for the survey through a computer program. Over the four years studied (2018-2021), a total of 26,422 households with children or adolescents participated.
The analysis found that 9.5% of children and adolescents in the United States had been diagnosed with ADHD, based on reports from family members. However, the prevalence varied significantly with age:
The increase in ADHD diagnosis with age underscores the importance of monitoring children’s developmental needs as they progress through school and adolescence.
The survey revealed a notable difference in ADHD prevalence between genders, with 12.4% of males diagnosed compared to 6.6% of females—nearly a two-to-one gap. This aligns with previous research indicating that ADHD is more frequently diagnosed in boys than girls, though awareness of how ADHD presents differently across genders is growing.
Family income played a significant role in ADHD prevalence, particularly among lower-income groups:
This pattern suggests that socioeconomic factors might influence the diagnosis and management of ADHD, with lower-income families possibly experiencing greater barriers to early diagnosis or consistent treatment.
Geographic location also impacted ADHD rates. Prevalence was highest in the South (11.3%), followed by the Midwest (10%), the Northeast (9.1%), and significantly lower in the West (6.9%). These variations could reflect regional differences in healthcare access, diagnostic practices, or cultural attitudes towards ADHD.
Despite these variations in demographics, the overall prevalence of ADHD remained relatively stable across the study period from 2018 to 2021, showing no significant changes by year.
The findings from this updated analysis provide a clearer picture of ADHD’s prevalence across different demographic groups in the United States. They highlight the need for tailored approaches to diagnosis and care, taking into account factors like age, gender, income, and geographic location. With ADHD being a common condition affecting nearly 1 in 10 children, ongoing research and support for families are crucial to ensure that those with ADHD receive the care and resources they need.
This study reinforces the importance of awareness and early intervention, especially for families in underserved regions or those facing economic challenges. As clinicians and educators continue to support children with ADHD, understanding these demographic trends can help in creating more equitable access to diagnosis and treatment.
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