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. 2022 Jul 13;11(2):186-190.
doi: 10.1556/2006.2022.00033. Print 2022 Jul 13.

Nosology of behavioral addictions: Intersections with philosophy of psychiatry •

Dan J Stein  1 , Christine Lochner  2
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Nosology of behavioral addictions: Intersections with philosophy of psychiatry •

Dan J Stein et al. J Behav Addict. .

Abstract

Writing in this journal, Brand and colleagues have proposed criteria for other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors. Their proposal intersects with key debates in philosophy of psychiatry, including how best to define mental disorders, to validate them, and to optimize their meta-structure. Review of these debates in the context of behavioral addictions suggests several conclusions. First, these debates involve "essentially contested" constructs that require ongoing consideration and judgment. Second, the complexity of psychopathology suggests multiple legitimate approaches to delineating traits and explicating mechanisms. Third, in optimizing meta-structure, non-psychobiological considerations are crucial - the overlapping public mental health approach to addictive disorders is paramount.

Keywords: DSM-5; ICD-11; behavioral addiction; diagnostic validity; meta-structure; philosophy of psychiatry.

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Conflict of interest statement

DJS has received research grants and/or consultancy honoraria from Discovery Vitality, Johnson & Johnson, Kanna, L’Oreal, Lundbeck, Orion, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda and Vistagen.

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