Abstract

There has been an increased interest in the last decade about non-substance related addictive disorders. Classification systems started incorporating them, explicitly in their manuals signaling an acceptance brought by the growing scientific evidence (neurobiological, phenomenological, and developmental) of the validity of the diagnoses. In 2013, “gambling disorder” became the first no-substance related diagnostic entity to be included in an international manual, the DSM-5. The World Health Organization followed suit and in June 2019 added both “gambling disorder” and “gaming disorder” in their diagnostic system the ICD-11. These disorders or “behavioral addictions” include impulsive, obsessive & compulsive and addictive behaviors. They deserve more attention from scientist as they share natural history with substance use disorders and afflict young people with long-term consequences. We need to view behavioral addiction as extreme ends on the spectrum of behaviors, where the quality and quantity of the behavior have to be assessed thoroughly to ensure we do not mislabel some excessive behaviors as psychiatric disorders. Tools to enable us to are that distinction and interventions to help patients are being developed.

Keywords: Gaming Disorder; Gambling Disorder; Kleptomania; Pyromania.