Internet gaming disorder is just one type of problematic use of the Internet, although it has its own specific characteristics of course (though merging with an "offline gaming disorder" which is not part of the DSM-5 :)
In addition, there are many other specific (compulsive or addictive) Internet use problems.
Isn't it an interchange of part for the whole (pars pro toto)?
As a BHC clinician w/ over 40 years experience and as a former AF ER medic, I am trained in triage. For me the priority are Target One disorders which are persisting, recurrent life threatening conditions. Excessive gambling for me is a self-inflicted compulsive condition. To me it is a target three condition.
Rich
1. Are insomnia, specific phobia, orgasmic disorder or enuresis a life-threatening conditions?
2. And are not cannabis- or phencyclidine- use disorders self-inflicted compulsive conditions?
Diagnostics (and also nosological categorization and taxonomy) should address not only primary but also third-class disorders.
Michal,
Great points. Given my experience w/ triage, I only treat Target 1. We clinicians concentrate on the most significant d/o's. I leave it to any others decide to treat some of the others. If your familiar w/ DSM (I keep a copy of DSM 3) and a # of conditions have been deleted while some are added.
Rich
I work with gambling disorder and there are interesting parallels between gambling and internet gaming disorder. A good example is the existence of loot boxes and other random number generator (RNG) elements. Because of this and the known etiology of such features in relation to addictive behaviors, it is an easier case to make for a new disorder. Internet use, on the other hand, may or may not involve such features. Often, social media, media sharing, and pornography play a role in excessive use and the mechanisms at play are less clear and/or hold greater implications with respect to pathologizing normal behavior. I think these are some of the more salient reasons.