About this Research Topic

Background

In recent years, besides substances, certain types of behaviors have also been considered to be in the spectrum of addictions. These include gaming, internet use, sexual behaviors, gambling, and shopping. With these behaviors, the involvement of the individual is expressed in a maladaptive way. This is what results in the development of out-of-control behaviors classified as non-substance or behavioral addictions. The comorbidity of behavioral addictions with other psychiatric disorders is very important as it raises new challenges both for the assessment and treatment of patients. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine measures applied had an effect on these behaviors with increasing use of the internet, pornography, and gaming.

The goal of this Research Topic is to present cutting-edge studies in behavioral addictions with a focus on comorbidity with other disorders as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these disorders. This Research Topic will highlight recent advances in behavioral addictions and we will focus both on the biological background of these disorders as well as epidemiological findings regarding the COVID -19 pandemic and comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders.

Original research articles and review articles may be submitted to the Topic. Articles conducted with samples of youth, adults, or elderly patients will be included with a specific focus on comorbidities of behavioral addictions. We also look for those investigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of these disorders.

The disorders aimed to be discussed in this Research Topic include
• Gaming
• Internet use
• Sexual behaviors
• Gambling
• Shopping

Keywords: Neurobiology, COVID-19, Behavioral addiction, Comorbidity, Gaming, Internet Use, Sexual Behaviors, Gambling, Shopping

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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