Internet Gaming Disorder: A Clinical Strategy Guide for Providers, Parents, and Players (PDF)

by M.D. James Sherer, M.P.H. Nathan Carroll, D.O., M.B.A., M.A. Petros Levounis, M.D.

Internet Gaming Disorder: A Clinical Strategy Guide for Providers, Parents, and Players is the first and most comprehensive resource to address the rising challenge of internet gaming disorder (IGD) in a rapidly growing gaming industry. Written by leading psychiatrists from various specialties, the book provides an interdisciplinary overview of IGD—its diagnosis, treatment, and cultural implications. Offering a holistic view of the benefits and problems associated with gaming, the guide reviews medical and psychiatric comorbidities, issues such as online exploitation, and gaming’s effects on populations such as youth, older adults, and LGBTQ+ individuals. It also explores the links between gaming, social media, and real-world violence. Evidence-based interventions, including pharmacological, cognitive-behavioral, and family-focused strategies, are presented alongside ethical considerations and the therapeutic potential of gaming. With case studies that integrate clinical information with real-world applications, key clinical insights, and practice questions, this guide provides practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries, recognizing warning signs, and engaging with videogames in a balanced, rewarding way.