Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Emergence Of Behavioral Addiction In Dsm-5, Gina B. Polychronopoulos, Kristy L. Carlisle, Robert M. Carlisle, Andrea J. Kirk-Jenkins

Educational Foundations & Leadership Faculty Publications

The release of the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has sparked continuous debate about the structure, organization, and inclusion or exclusion of mental disorders. The term addiction made its first appearance in the manual with the category of Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders, after much anticipation from mental health professionals. With the emergence of behavioral (process) addictions in the diagnostic manual such as gambling disorder, it is likely that other mental disorders with similar features will follow suit. Speculation about other behaviors that could potentially be addictive includes Internet use, sex, shopping, exercise, and …