Lived experience of gaming disorder among people with psychotic disorders: implications for tailored interventions and clinical management.

Purpose of review: Despite growing recognition of the impact of Gaming Disorder in individuals with psychotic disorders, little is known about the clinical and personal implications of this dual diagnosis. Preliminary data suggest that Gaming Disorder may be associated with increased psychotic symptoms and reduced occupational and social functioning. However, insight from lived experience remain largely absent, despite their importance.

Recent findings: This review synthesizes recent literature on the comorbidity between Gaming Disorder and psychotic disorders, highlighting the scarcity of research in this emerging field. It also presents preliminary findings from an ongoing qualitative study focussing on the lived experiences of individuals receiving early psychosis intervention. These data focus on participants' motivations for gaming and their perceptions of both positive and negative effects gaming has on their life.

Summary: This review underscores the significant lack of data on the dual diagnosis of Gaming Disorder and psychosis. Early qualitative insights reveal diverse gaming motivations, including symptom regulation, anxiety management, cognitive stimulation, and social connection. These first-person accounts emphasize the functional role of gaming and the need for recovery-oriented care. Integrating lived experience into research and clinical practice can improve relevance, support nuanced interventions, and advance our understanding of behavioral addictions in early psychosis.