Comorbidity between Behavioral Addictions and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a Systematic Review

Abstract

We aimed to conduct a systematic review to examine the rates of comorbid Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and various behavioral addictions, including gambling disorder, food addiction/binge-eating disorder, sex addiction/hypersexuality disorder, Internet addiction/Internet gaming disorder, compulsive buying disorder, and exercise addiction. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for articles published before December, 2015. Exclusion criteria were studies with either behavioral addictions or ADHD only, but not both; review articles, case reports, case series, book chapters, and letters to the editor. Studies not using standardized diagnostic criteria for ADHD, gambling disorder, or binge-eating disorder were also excluded. Of the 3126 citations found, 14 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five reported results for rates of comorbid ADHD and gambling disorder, three for those of ADHD and binge-eating disorder, two for those of ADHD and sex addiction, and four for those of ADHD and Internet addiction. No studies were found to report rates of comorbid ADHD and compulsive buying disorder or exercise addiction. The prevalence of comorbid ADHD in individuals with behavioral addictions ranged from 5.8 % to 88.3 %. The prevalence of comorbid behavioral addictions in those with ADHD ranged from 5.9 % to 71.8 %. This systematic review revealed a high degree of co-occurrence of ADHD and behavioral addictions. The findings of this review shed light on the need to explore the links between ADHD and behavioral addictions and their implications for treatment.

Fetishism in ADHD: an impulsive behaviour or a paraphilic disorder?

“…They are also at risk of antisocial activities, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases 7. It would be expected that ADHD subjects with predominant hyperactive–impulsive presentation would represent the majority of those associated with risky and impulsive behaviours like fetishism, but in reality, the vast proportion of the hypersexual patients diagnosed with ADHD was of the inattentive subtype 8. However, this finding was seen among adults ADHD so it must be applied with caution as adult ADHD is associated with less predominant symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity and more inattentive symptoms.…”

ADHD, Lifestyles and Comorbidities: A Call for an Holistic Perspective – from Medical to Societal Intervening Factors

“…A possible explanation is presented by Davis et al (2011) who point out similarities of high sugar consumption to alcohol intake and/or some genetic link to the disorder. Coincidentally, and as will be later described in more detail, obesity is one of the most common comorbidity of ADHD along with food addiction, with obesity starting in childhood and food addiction, respectively, at adolescence and early adulthood (Davis et al, 2011; Nigg, 2013; Cortese et al, 2016; Karaca et al, 2016). …”

“…The study confirmed a new type of obese patient or subtype that was not previously officially recognized by the medical field aside from anecdotal accounts, the food addict. It must be noted though, that due to the high-risk factor associated, those with ADHD both in childhood and adulthood are most likely to abuse drugs, food, and electronic media (Nigg, 2013; Karaca et al, 2016; Yen et al, 2016). A Canadian research team pointed out in detail how ADHD may not only be one of the most important risk factors for developing obesity but also one of the driving forces behind the impulsive eating previously mentioned.…”

“…Throughout the literature, there is a pervasive common emphasis on immediate gratification, poor discipline and self-control with the individuals suffering from ADHD. Addictive behaviors are among the most prominent behavioral tendencies associated with the disorder which can lead to pathological comorbidities such as various types of addictions and dependencies (Karaca et al, 2016). …”

“…Regardless of the nomenclature, the link with unhealthy technological habits in people with ADHD is prevalent. ADHD was one of the most common risk factors for impulsive internet use and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), with neurochemical alterations noted in one ADHD study comparing compulsive gamers with diagnosed ADHD and without the diagnosis (Hyun et al, 2015; Karaca et al, 2016; Bae et al, 2016). …”