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Case Reports
. 2024 Jun 24;16(6):e63013.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.63013. eCollection 2024 Jun.

A Case Report of Internet Gaming Disorder Treated With Bupropion and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Kasireddy Sravanthi  1 , N G Nihal  2 , N N Raju  2 , Shailaja Mane  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Case Report of Internet Gaming Disorder Treated With Bupropion and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Kasireddy Sravanthi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Gaming disorder is a growing concern, recognized by the World Health Organization and included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as internet gaming disorder (IGD) for further study. This case report describes a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with IGD according to the proposed DSM-5 criteria. The patient exhibited excessive gaming behavior leading to impaired academic performance and social interaction. Treatment included medication with bupropion and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) resulting in significant improvement in gaming habits and social functioning. This case highlights the effectiveness of a combined approach for managing IGD and emphasizes the need for further research to optimize treatment strategies.

Keywords: adolescent addiction; bupropion; cognitive-behavioral therapy (cbt); excessive gaming; internet gaming disorder (igd).

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Proposed DSM-5 criteria for internet gaming disorder
This figure shows the proposed criteria by DSM-5 of the American Psychiatric Association [3]. DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
Figure 2
Figure 2. Scoring of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) for a 13-year-old boy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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