Video games are part of our world. Research shows a link between ADHD and video games, but one does not cause the other. And relationships aren’t all bad.
About 91% of children ages 2-17 play video games, according to Frontiers in Pediatrics. It’s no secret that video games have become as mainstream as watching TV.
Adults aged 18-36 spend more time playing video games than watching broadcast television. A 2021 study showed that children with ADHD spend more time playing video games than other children their age.
Heavy use and chronic ADHD symptoms have many people wondering: Does one make the other worse?
A 2021 study also found that the severity of video game compulsion paralleled the severity of ADHD symptoms:
The more symptoms there are, the more likely compulsive behaviors are.
The authors stated that ADHD does not appear to cause video game addiction, but ADHD should be considered a contributing factor to gaming disorder.
“Individuals with ADHD are more likely to play video games more often, but this game does not cause ADHD,” said Drew Lightfoot, clinical director of Thriveworks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and professor of clinical research at La Salle University. “
It’s not all bad news for those with ADHD (and their parents or caregivers). A 2015 study highlighted video games as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.
Previous research from 2002 found that playing video games can improve:
There is growing research on the potential benefits of video games and their potential as a therapeutic tool.
In short, no. Lightfoot explains, “ADHD is a neurological condition… caused by genetics.” Although researchers have not yet identified the exact mechanism that causes ADHD, most experts believe it is genetic.
If you have a parent or sibling with ADHD, you are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. There are isolated cases of severe head injuries leading to a diagnosis of ADHD, but these are rare.
There is a strong connection between ADHD and video games. People with ADHD tend to spend a lot of time playing sports. Those with more severe symptoms tend to play more often.
One 2021 study found that “ADHD symptoms and video game addiction appear to have a bidirectional relationship in that ADHD symptoms make video games more appealing, while the game itself worsens ADHD symptoms by providing… instant gratification.”
A 2018 study found that people with ADHD are more likely to become addicted to video games, and those with the most severe symptoms are at greater risk.
Many parents worry about how much screen time their children have, whether they have ADHD or not. If children with ADHD are more likely to be addicted to video games, that concern may grow, but there is no reason to panic.
As Lightfoot says, “video games are generally a healthy place for most kids,” and while the “World Health Organization (WHO) recently added gaming disorder to its list of diagnoses,” chances are most kids aren’t serious.
To qualify for the diagnosis, the pattern of behavior must significantly affect:
Lightfoot says the symptoms must have been present for at least 12 months.
A growing body of research is finding the positive effects of video games, including a recent study showing that playing video games can boost children’s intelligence.
Lightfoot says, “Moderate, regular, and intentional use of video games has been shown to decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and loneliness while also increasing symptoms of self-esteem, self- confidence, and personal independence.”
The previous study mentioned above found the potential benefits of video games including:
Another older study in 2009 found that children who play video games are able to switch tasks faster than children who don’t. Such flexibility can be especially helpful for children with ADHD who have difficulty switching and changing tasks.
A research group led by Dr. Isabela Granic, of the Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands, in a review of previous research on the effects of video games, found that video games:
Researchers have found that playing video games can help children in a number of ways, such as:
Lightfoot says, “Although this is a new treatment method that requires further study, the short answer is: Possibly!”
He goes on to share two examples, “The first is EndeavorRx, the first FDA-approved video game therapy for ADHD,” and “the second is Mightier, a video game system that, when used with and in conjunction with therapy, [have been shown to] improve children’s ability to recognize and regulate emotions.”
In his paper on Education and Health, Dr. Mark Griffith highlights some of the ways video games can be effective, including:
Some of the best games for kids are also popular with adults, but here are a few games that are best played under adult supervision or reserved for teens and adults:
In addition to the other benefits discussed, playing video games together can be a great way to bond and build special relationships. There are many more games or activities you can play with someone with ADHD including:
*Games suitable for teenagers are indicated by [T]
There is a definite correlation between ADHD and video games, but it is not cause-and-effect. People with ADHD may be at an increased risk of developing disruptive gaming behavior. The more severe a person’s symptoms, the more likely it is.
Studies have proven many benefits of playing video games. Playing video games can promote:
Video games can also serve as a research and measurement tool.
Although it is a relatively new practice, there is growing evidence that video games can be an effective tool for managing ADHD. One game, EndeavorRX, has even been approved by the FDA as the only prescription video game.
Video games are as much a part of mainstream culture as any other form of entertainment. Children with ADHD are at increased risk of developing unhealthy gaming behaviors, but most children keep their video game time within healthy limits.
