ADHD & Video Games: Understanding the Connection

What Is the Link Between ADHD & Video Games?

The connection between ADHD and video games is that people with ADHD are more likely to engage in addictive behaviors than people who do not have ADHD. Video games inherently have addictive qualities that make it easy to become hooked on playing them. One study found that player empowerment, the goals and rewards associated with video games, and recognition for skill associated with video games may be some factors that make video games addictive.¹

Do Video Games Cause ADHD?

It is unlikely that video games cause ADHD, though research has found that adolescents who play more than one hour of video games may have a higher intensity of ADHD symptoms than those who do not.² It is often difficult to determine the causal nature of a relationship between two factors. Often, we find ourselves in a “chicken or the egg” scenario. It is more likely that having ADHD causes people to be more susceptible or have a higher predisposition to become addicted to playing video games because of the tendency for people with ADHD to seek out dopamine due to a lack of dopamine in the brain.³

Benefits of Playing Video Games for People With ADHD

People with ADHD may benefit from playing video games because the behavior naturally produces dopamine due to the reward-seeking and novelty aspects associated with many video games. Playing video games may also allow people with ADHD to engage in hyperfocus, which tends to be very rewarding for someone with a goal-driven, dopamine-seeking brain. Screen time, in general, tends to be associated with higher severity of ADHD symptomatology.⁴

Some possible benefits of playing video games for people with ADHD include:

• Visual-spatial skills
• Ability to hyperfocus
• Ability to engage in goal-driven behavior
• Ability to connect with others socially through cooperative gaming
• Creativity associated with character-building and gameplay
• Recognition for increasing skills within the gaming community
• Auditory and visual stimulation
• Escaping into a different world

Why Are Video Games so Attractive for People With ADHD?

Video games have many components that are attractive to people who have ADHD. Along with the ability to hyperfocus and engage in goal-directed behavior, a person with ADHD can escape into a different world and become consumed by their character and story associated with the game they are playing. There is something very creative and childlike about this process. It offers an opportunity for a person to become something different for a while and comes very close to a sense of escaping the stress of reality.

Stimulation

Video games also offer people with ADHD the opportunity to become lost in visual and auditory stimulation associated with video games. Especially with the progress of technology, this draw is increasingly more powerful. Research is only beginning to understand the relationship between sensory experiences and ADHD, though one study asserts that children with ADHD are more likely to have sensory processing disorder.⁵ This means that people with ADHD may have a higher sensitivity to stimulation than people who don’t have ADHD.

Social Connection

Video games may also serve as an outlet for people with ADHD to connect socially. For children with ADHD who struggle to interact meaningfully with others because of the intensity of their symptoms, playing video games may be a safer way to build relationships and obtain social interaction virtually. The same can be true for adults who might struggle to create and maintain relationships because of their symptoms or inherent shyness. This is not to suggest that all people with ADHD struggle socially; there is a spectrum of social engagement within the population of humans with ADHD, though individuals who are viewed as different because of prejudice against neurodivergence may struggle to make and maintain friendships more than others.

Hyperfocus or Hyperfixation

Frequently, people with ADHD experience hyper fixation or hyper focus, allowing them to engage deeply in one activity for a prolonged time. Video games offer a prime opportunity for those with ADHD to engage in this behavior. Often, video games allow a person to immerse themselves in the experience of playing through sensory stimulation and offer endless opportunities to work toward goals and build skills.

Warning Signs of Video Game Addiction

If the behavior of playing video games is causing problems in relationships, the ability to complete work, or other important life tasks, it is important to consider the possibility of video game addiction. Video game addiction will cause someone to prioritize gaming over other important aspects of life to the point of dysfunction or distress. An individual may have varying levels of insight around the nature and severity of their addiction. This is true of many addictive behaviors.

Some possible warning signs of video game addiction include:

• Avoidance behavior: Video game addiction may be an avoidance behavior wherein an individual uses video gaming to avoid doing things they are supposed to do, like completing chores around the house or finishing homework.
• Escapism: An individual may use video games to escape the stress of everyday life. For example, someone going through a difficult time at work may be likelier to use video gaming in an unhealthy way.
• Ignoring relationships: Someone playing video games excessively may start to ignore relationships usually important to them.
• Missing deadlines: People who play video games to the point of addiction may miss important work or social deadlines because they are so focused on gaming.
• Neglecting self-care: Video game addiction may lead someone to stop caring for themselves. For example, they may forget to shower or brush their teeth for days on end.
• Real-world consequences: Someone who becomes very deep into video game addiction may experience real-world consequences outside of gaming. For example, they may be fired for chronically showing up late or lose important relationships because of their addiction.

Can Video Games Help Manage ADHD?

When used in healthy amounts that do not lead to negative real-world consequences, playing video games for an allotted amount of time could help manage ADHD. Engaging in rewarding dopamine-producing behaviors is very enjoyable and can be especially enjoyable for individuals with ADHD. As mentioned previously, gaming can also allow individuals on the shyer end of the spectrum to connect socially and obtain recognition for their gaming skills. Like most things, this behavior in moderation can be helpful.

Popular Games for Children With ADHD

Some video games are popular with children who have ADHD. Recently, some game developers have even been working to develop games that can help children with ADHD manage their symptoms through gaming.

Some popular games for children with ADHD include:

• Angry Birds
• Bad Piggies
• Roblox
• Endeavor RX
• Minecraft
• Portal (teens)
• Starcraft
• Zelda
• Guitar Hero
• Captain’s LogAhoy!
• Play Attention

Popular Games for Adults With ADHD

Adults with ADHD might also enjoy video gaming and find that playing helps provide an outlet for managing symptoms when engaged in a healthy way.

Some popular games for adults with ADHD include:

• Sims
• Age of Empires
• Zelda
• Fortnite
• Call of Duty
• Super Smash Bros
• Guitar Hero
• World of Warcraft
• StarCraft
• Monster Hunter World
• Akili Interactive

When to Seek Professional Help For Video Game Addiction

If video gaming is causing problems at work, in relationships or other important activities of daily living, it is likely time to seek professional support with video game addiction. An online therapist directory or online therapy platform is a good choice for finding a neurodiversity-affirming therapist who specializes in ADHD. If someone is considering medication for treating ADHD, an online psychiatrist is a good choice for finding ADHD medication management.

In My Experience

Like most potentially addictive behaviors, individuals with ADHD need to exercise self-awareness around their relationship to video games. Something that is a healthy outlet can become a source of stress and disruption in life if not used in moderation. It is also not necessary for people with ADHD to feel anxious about their video gaming behaviors. Simply exercising awareness and ongoing curiosity about the relationship is enough to monitor that use. If there is a question about whether or not video gaming behavior is healthy for an individual, seeking support through counseling can be a great way to explore this relationship a bit more deeply and obtain support if needed.