Comorbidity of Internet use disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Two adult case–control studies

Abstract

ObjectivesThere is good scientific evidence that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is both a predictor and a comorbidity of addictive disorders in adulthood. These associations not only focus on substance-related addictions but also on behavioral addictions like gambling disorder and Internet use disorder (IUD). For IUD, systematic reviews have identified ADHD as one of the most prevalent comorbidities besides depressive and anxiety disorders. Yet, there is a need to further understand the connections between both disorders to derive implications for specific treatment and prevention. This is especially the case in adult clinical populations where little is known about these relations so far. This study was meant to further investigate this issue in more detail based on the general hypothesis that there is a decisive intersection of psychopathology and etiology between IUD and ADHD.MethodsTwo case–control samples were examined at a university hospital. Adult ADHD and IUD patients ran through a comprehensive clinical and psychometrical workup.ResultsWe found support for the hypothesis that ADHD and IUD share psychopathological features. Among patients of each group, we found substantial prevalence rates of a comorbid ADHD in IUD and vice versa. Furthermore, ADHD symptoms were positively associated with media use times and symptoms of Internet addiction in both samples.DiscussionClinical practitioners should be aware of the close relationships between the two disorders both diagnostically and therapeutically. When it comes to regain control over one’s Internet use throughout treatment and rehabilitation, a potential shift of addiction must be kept in mind on side of practitioners and patients.

Associations between problematic Internet use and psychiatric symptoms among university students in Japan

“…suggest that as levels of social anxiety increase and people spend less time in real‐life relationships and more time on the Internet, their risk of developing PIU becomes greater . Many studies have shown a relation between PIU and ADHD . Regardless of PIU, many reports indicate that ADHD is related to behavior dependence, such as substance‐related dependence and gambling dependence .…”

“…[53][54][55] Regardless of PIU, many reports indicate that ADHD is related to behavior dependence, such as substance-related dependence and gambling dependence. [56][57][58] Behavioral features of ADHD symptoms are said to be lack of selfcontrol, 31,55 and it is fair to consider that such symptoms can lead to PIU. However, based on these observational studies, it is hard to understand the causal relationship of PIU and the aforementioned psychiatric symptoms.…”

Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD

“…The impairments associated with ADHD across the lifespan are impressive. ADHD is associated with learning difficulties, school dropout, underachievement at work [126], frequent job changes [127], chronic fatigue [128], financial problems, gambling and internet use [129, 130], home and traffic accidents leading to increased mortality rates [131–133], relationship difficulties and intimate partner violence [134, 135], early onset of addiction [136], teenage pregnancies and sexual transmitted diseases [137, 138], a two-fold increased smoking rate [139], an increased number of suicide attempts and self-harm in adolescents [140, 141], and increased criminality [142, 143]. Moreover, physical disorders and ailments may become chronic due to forgetfulness, health problems induced by a negative lifestyle, poor eating and sleeping habits, and lack of health care follow-up [144–147].…”

Attentional bias in Internet users with problematic use of social networking sites

“…Problematic Internet use (PIU) has been found to resemble substance-related and other addictive disorders on a behavioral (Bielefeld et al, 2017;Grant, Potenza, Weinstein, & Gorelick, 2010) and neurobiological level (Dong, Huang, & Du, 2011). In addition, the evidence is suggestive of a comorbidity between them (Sussman, Lisha, & Griffiths, 2011).…”