A new syndrome? The sport identification addiction and the case of Italian football ultra-fanatical support

Abstract

The new DSM-5 has a number of changes to addictions and substance-related disorders. Internet Gaming for instance is a “Condition for Further Study”. This means that it is not an “official” disorder in the DSM, but one on which the American Psychiatric Association request additional research.

The DSM diagnostic criteria for addictions to the X-subject generally include:

– repetitive use of X, that leads to significant issues with functioning;

– preoccupation or obsession with X;

– craving/withdrawal symptoms when not dealing with X;

– the person has tried to stop or curb X, but has failed to do so;

– the person has had a loss of interest in other life activities, such as hobbies;

– a person has had continued overuse of X even with the knowledge of how much they impact a person's life;

– the person uses X to relieve anxiety related to other issues;

– the person has lost or put at risk and opportunity or relationship because of X.

I suggest that some sport fans may:

– meet the above mentioned criteria;

– be subject to over-identification with “their team performances”, superstitious conditioning and loss of self-consciousness that may lead to a full blown addictive syndrome, along with comorbidity with pathological gambling.

This seems particularly true in Italy, for example, as far as the phenomenon of ultra football supporters is concerned.

I argue that further research might be needed to explore the psycho-social consequences of obsessive sport addiction and how this may impact on a person's overall functioning.