Social communication disorder and behavioural addiction: Case report and clinical implications

Abstract

BackgroundSocial communication disorder (SCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes communication difficulties. Literature linking SCD and addictions is scarce, and there are only a few case reports regarding the co-occurrence of addiction and autism disorder spectrum, and only one of them addressed behavioural addictions.Case presentationWe report MC’s case, who displayed an SCD and sexual addiction (SA). Clinical and neuropsychological evaluations suggested an alteration of social cognition, especially of affective theory of mind. This article also presents the adaptation made of the usual treatment.DiscussionThis case report illustrates the importance of social cognition abilities in the development and maintenance of behavioural addictions, and specifically SA. It also highlights the possible comorbidity of these two disorders and the possibility to work on social cognition as an alternate therapy in the treatment of behavioural addictions.ConclusionsThe co-occurrence of SCD and a behavioural addiction triggered clinical adaptations and implications that may affect a patient’s treatment presenting one of these disorders.

Online Assessment of Social Cognition in a Population of Gamers and Gamblers: Results of the eSMILE Study

“…Our analyses found no effects of addiction or behaviour frequency on social decision-making and empathy. Assessing and improving SC abilities may be an alternative management mode for BAs that could be added to usual treatments, as in the case of one patient with sexual addiction (Hurel et al, 2021 ).…”