Video game addiction is linked to ADHD

Posted on April 27, 2016

“Video game addiction is more prevalent among younger men, and among those not being in a current relationship, than others,” says, Cecilie Schou Andreassen, doctor of psychology and clinical psychologist specialist at Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen.

Schou Andreassen carried out a study with more than 20 000 participants who answered questions related to videogame addiction. The study showed that video game addiction appears to be associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.

Shou Andreassen explains that excessively engaging in gaming may function as an escape mechanism for, or coping with, underlying psychiatric disorders in attempt to alleviate unpleasant feelings, and to calm restless bodies.

The study used seven warning signs to identify video game addiction. These are:

1. You think about playing a game all day long
2. You spend increasing amounts of time on games
3. You play games to forget about real life
4. Others have unsuccessfully tried to reduce your game use
5. You feel bad when you are unable to play
6. You have fights with others (e.g., family, friends) over your time spent on games
7. You neglect other important activities (e.g., school, work, sports) to play games

Dr Shou Andreassen highlights that most people have a relaxed relationship to video games and fairly good control.


Category(s):Adult ADHD, Depression

Source material from University of Bergen