Gaming disorder associated to comorbid disorders in an immigrant adolescent: A clinical case study.

Background:The research and clinical interest of gaming disorder has grown significantly, and has been an increase in youths request to psychological services. So, providing an evidence-based treatment is crucial. We propose to describe a case study of gaming disorder with comorbid disorders using a biopsychosocial model. The psychological formulation and treatment intervention are discussed with regards to existing literature.

Methods: The patient was oriented for the doctor by the Healthcare Center. At the psychological assessment patient presented diagnosis of gaming disorder, social phobia and depressive mood. She had school absenteeism and family conflicts.

The treatment follows the principles of Individualized Psychotherapy Program for Addiction to Information and Communication Technologies designed to offer specialized psychotherapy for adolescents with symptoms of gaming disorder and comorbid disorders, that comprising individual and familiar intervention.

Results:hesize that the interplays between the individual vulnerabilities, the environmental instability, the acculturation process and adolescence challenges guided to adoption of poorly effective coping strategies to manage emotional distress. During adolescence, attachment to the peer group is a nuclear developmental task, the patient social difficulties made it more difficult for her to turn to a peer group to establish a secure attachment.

Gaming could be functioned as an experiential avoidance coping strategy, while favors the immediate gratification as an attachment alternative to relationships.

The treatment demonstrated efficacy in time gaming reduction, the comorbid symptoms, and improves in important life areas (family and educational/occupational functioning).

Conclusion: We reinforce the need to consider the biopsychosocial pathways underlying the association between gaming misuse and psychopathology in youths. In spite of the research studies be essential to increase the knowledge, the clinical case studies may represent as well an important opportunity for clinicians to debate specific challenges and variabilities in defining the diagnosis, formulation and treatment response of these youths with dual disorders.