Behavioral Addiction

Abstract

Behavioral addiction is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by a behavior that leads to dysfunction in characteristic biological, psychological, social, and spiritual manifestations. This behavior is generally a repetitive maladaptive behavior that has been postulated as being similar to substance use disorders in how it affects many different levels of function and has similar biological correlates. Behavioral addiction is driven by repetitive urges for this involuntary inclination, a diminished ability to control the behavior, the building up of tolerance, and a greater intensity to obtain the desired gratification. There are adverse psychological consequences, such as depression or anxiety, when the behavior is avoided. The most recent version of the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) lists only one behavioral addiction (gambling disorder), three behavioral compulsions (hoarding disorder, trichotillomania, and excoriation), and one impulse-control disorder (kleptomania). Based on the conceptual and existing criteria on the DSM-V, other behavioral addictions have been proposed, including compulsive buying, sexual addiction, eating, video game playing, and Internet addiction. This chapter reviews the most common behavioral addictions, their epidemiology, genetics, phenomenology, comorbidity, psychosocial, and pharmacological treatment.