IGD Prevalence Highest in Children with ADHD, Followed by Children with ASD
Researchers from Italy have examined the prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in pediatric patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls. Their study’s results showed a higher prevalence of IGD in both ASD and ADHD groups compared to controls, with ADHD patients exhibiting the highest prevalence. The association between ADHD and IGD was linked to impulsivity and sensation-seeking behaviors, while in ASD, it was attributed to greater visual skills and using electronic devices for social interaction. The authors found no significant differences in ASD core symptoms between patients with and without comorbid IGD. However, ASD patients with IGD showed more attention difficulties and tended to exhibit more severe clinical profiles. Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments led to clinical improvement in ASD patients but did not significantly affect addiction symptoms. These findings suggest that ASD diagnosis might negatively influence the prognosis of IGD compared to ADHD, highlighting the need for multimodal treatments addressing behavioral addictions in ASD patients.
