Symptoms And Bad Effects Of Video Game Addiction
Although the existence of video game addiction as a disease is not yet settled in the scientific community, it has been observed that even excessive video game playing have serious negative effects on many kids. Here are some of the bad effects of video game addiction:
Also, individuals who have other psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and ADHD are found to be more at risk for gaming disorders.
Effects Of Video Game Addiction
Gaming addiction is a compulsive mental health disorder that can cause severe damage to ones life. Its common for a video game addict to spend over 10 hours a day gaming, usually well into the night, and many suffer from sleep deprivation 22.Massively multiplayer online role-playing games: comparing characteristics of addict vs non-addict online recruited gamers in a French adult population×. Immersed in their experience, gamers are known to have poor diets consisting mainly of energy drinks full of caffeine and sugar. Many are dehydrated and malnourished.
In more severe cases, gaming addicts report agoraphobia a type of anxiety disorder in which they fear leaving the house and others identify with hikikomori a term popularized in Japan as reclusive adolescents or adults who withdraw from social life 33.A preliminary cross-cultural study of Hikikomori and Internet Gaming Disorder: The moderating effects of game-playing time and living with parents×.
Gaming addicts tend to be moody and irritable, depressed, physically aggressive, and refuse to go to school or work due to gaming. To be addicted to games is to experience functional impairment in multiple areas of your life, and the long-term effects can be devastating. Gaming addicts fail out of college. They get divorced. And they struggle with unemployment.
Draw On Proven Research And Support
Many of the principles of gaming addiction share a lot in common with other addictions, especially those digital in nature.
But it can help to start your research on how to stop gaming by understanding this specific type of self-destructive behavior better.
There are also a lot of ideas out there to try that may not fall within the scope of this article today.
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How To Treat Video Game Addiction
The important thing to remember is that no matter what difficulties youre trying to overcome, youre not alone. Now that gaming disorder has been recognised as an official disease, more and more people are able to seek the help that they need.
The good news is that help is available for someone struggling with gaming disorder. Game Quitters is an online peer support community with hundreds of free videos, a community forum, and an affordable program for both gamers and for parents.
If youre looking for professional help, browse our directory for a video game addiction therapist.
If youre struggling to imagine your life being any different, have a look at our library of video game addiction stories. Hundreds of people have turned their lives around through Game Quitters, and you can do the same.
Even if you dont want to quit gaming forever, you might be amazed how much your life could change if you take some time away from video games. Dont look back a year from now and regret not taking action.
Take 90 days off gaming now, and change your life for the better.
Footnotes
Is My Child Addicted To Video Games
A gaming addiction involves a lack of control despite adverse consequencesif your child can pull themselves away from a game to join the family for dinner, for example, and shows interest in other activities, like sports or socializing, the child doesnt have an addiction. Kids may be drawn to video games because they satisfy psychological needs such as competence, autonomy, and connection, which are sometimes difficult to find in other places.
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Why Is Video Game Addiction Controversial
Since there is at least one gamer in 75% of American households, most people probably know at least one person who plays video games regularly. Few people would deny that someone could play videos games too often, and its easy to say that someone is addicted when they really just need to take a break. So is video game addiction even possible?
Currently, there is no scientific consensus on when video game overuse becomes an addiction . For this reason, the American Psychiatric Association has classified Internet Gaming Disorder as an unverified potential diagnosis which requires further review. A 2017 study in the Associations official journal left open the possibility that the classification could one day change. However, it also stated that there is not enough research right now to confirm definitively that overusing video games is an addiction according to the APAs definition. The APA defines addiction as a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. This definition effectively excludes the possibility of any behavioral addictions.
Another source of scientific skepticism is the fact that only a very small portion of gamers ever exhibit any signs of a disorder, especially the specific symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance. For this reason, some scientists and researchers believe that video game overuse is a just habit or a symptom of another disorder and not an addiction in and of itself.
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What Causes Video Game Addictions
Researchers are not certain what causes video game addiction however, some experts believe that elevated dopamine levels contribute heavily to the problem. The neurotransmitter dopamine works in the brains reward center. It is released during activities most people find pleasurable, including eating and consuming certain drugs.
Therapists view all addictions as functioning essentially the same way. In the case of non-substance addictions, such as those to sex, gambling and gaming, the behavior takes the place of a substance. The action of playing generates a feeling of pleasure, which ensures the addict will repeat the action as often as possible.
In a report published by CBC News in April 2013, a gaming addiction expert said those with certain personality disorders or disabilities are at greater risk than others. She noted that people who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Aspergers are particularly susceptible to gaming addiction.
Those who study video game addiction also believe that the problem has a psychological component. They contend that compulsive gamers retreat to a fantasy world to escape their real-life troubles and unpleasant emotions. According to a recent report, 41 percent of those who play online video games indicated they game to escape from reality.
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Video Game Addiction In Children And Adolescents
Almost all American children and teenagers play video games. Among teenagers, 97% of boys and 83% of girls play at least one video game on at least one device. There is evidence that children who start to play video games at younger ages are more likely to develop video game addictions than children who start to play them when theyre older. Nevertheless, addiction to video games is a risk for children of all ages. Video game addiction is likely to negatively impact a childs success in school. A child who plays video games obsessively will probably fail to study, finish homework, or participate in sports or school clubs. They may also be tired at school and fall asleep in class.
Studies have shown that playing video games excessively can negatively affect a childs emotional development as well as their academic success. Children who have a video game addiction may be more inclined to exhibit aggressive and anti-social behavior, and they might fail to develop mature social skills. Childrens minds are especially vulnerable to forming habits and routines. Parents should make sure that their children have a balanced relationship with any video game that they play.
Antidepressant Drug Addiction Dependence And Withdrawal In Online Addicts
Due to the evident link between video game or Internet addiction and depression, it is not surprising that many addicted gamers take antidepressant medication to help with the symptoms. Though most healthcare professionals consider this type of medication to be safe and effective, it also comes with its own set of risks and side effects. One factor to consider before beginning antidepressant medication is that it may be difficult to stop taking it. It is common to experience withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, nausea and dizziness. In more serious cases, it is possible to experience depression as a symptom of withdrawal from the medication. This depression can be even more severe than the original depression, leading the patient to believe that the illness has returned.
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Get Rid Of All Of Your Games
When you get through the first step and become motivated to make a positive change in your life, get rid of ALL OF YOUR GAMES. Seriously. Uninstall them all or throw them all away.. Every single game! Get rid of every source of temptation.
Maybe you are motivated enough to commit to not playing any more games now, but one day you might find yourself struggling with an overwhelming desire to play, so its best if they are completely gone. Its important to also involve your friends in your treatment. Explain to them why they shouldnt let you play on their computers or consoles.
Is It Really An Addiction
Most people would agree that video game binges or all-night marathons arent beneficial to your health, either physically or mentally. But is there a time limit that should be observed by gamers? Is there a way to know for sure when video game playing becomes excessiveor even addictive?
The World Health Organization recently evaluated the harmful effects of spending too much time playing video games. Based on scientific evidence, the WHO has classified gaming disorder as a serious addiction. However, the agency claims that the condition only affects 3% of gamers. Although the American Psychiatric Association hasnt labeled excessive gaming as a mental health condition, the organization does admit that the disorder warrants further clinical research.
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But What Does Having A Bonafide Gaming Addiction Actually Look Like
Well, heres how Computer Game Addicts Anonymous describes a gaming addiction:
Having an obsession and compulsion to game, which grows worse over time, and an inability to limit our gaming, despite all the trouble and losses it causes.
Those little games on your smartphone and tablet can seem like harmless little ways to pass the time when youve got nothing better to do.
But it all adds up and stokes the fire.
These trivial pastimes can eat up countless hours and become just as addicting as more sophisticated gaming technologies.
How Is Video Game Addiction Treated
Cognitive BehavioralTherapy can reduce problematic behaviors such as compulsive video game use by helping people to identify the template with which they view the world and to develop healthy ways to cope and adapt. Various forms of therapy and medications can treat the mental health challenges that often accompany addictive behaviors, such as depression and anxiety. Inpatient treatment centers and group therapy programs may also be valuable in certain cases.
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Games Addiction Know The Ways To Get Rid Of It
Games we usually play out of love. It is very good to do what we naturally feel comfortable doing. But is that an unusual way to waste time? When will you realize that it has become an addiction? Is it possible to overcome this problem?
Addiction to video games is a kind of human problem. The World Health Organization, in its medical reference book International Classification of Diseases, described game addiction as a gaming disorder.
How to detect addiction?
DSM-5 can detect a persons addiction to games. If you see five signs of DSM-5 in your child, sibling, friend, then he/she is suffering from game addiction.
1. Thinking about games all the time or most of the day.
2. Feeling bad if you cant play.
3. Stay playing for a long time for love.
4. Less play or not being able to stop the game.
5. Not wanting to do anything else.
6. Games create a lot of problems at work, school, or home.
7. Keep playing despite the various problems.
8. Lying to relatives about playing time.
9. Playing games even when under stress or feeling bad.
10. When you stop playing the game, you get very angry or upset.
How to get rid of game addiction?
First of all, it requires human preparation to get out of this addiction that wastes time and a beautiful future.
At one time I also had a strong game addiction.
Doing any healthy hobby. So that the brain is busy during leisure time.
You can spend time using Kora or any such information-rich site.
How Do You Get Rid Of Video Game Addiction
Research suggests that limiting the time an individual spends playing video games and focusing on improving how they use their screen time is more effective than abstaining completely. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit play time to an hour or less on school days, and no more than two hours on non-school days for children ages 6 and above.
Setting play time limits, regularly engaging in other hobbies or activities, and becoming more physically active are all common ways to combat a video game addiction.
Adults and children, alike, can benefit from taking frequent mental and physical breaks during gaming sessions to disengage. Because avoiding screens entirely is difficult, implementing these restrictions can help prevent those struggling with a gaming addiction from relapsing. Those suffering from co-occurring conditions, such as depression, attention disorders, and/or anxiety, should see a mental health professional to address and resolve the root of their addiction. An addiction to video games may be a symptom of a larger underlying problem, especially if the individual is already experiencing a mental health crisis or illness.
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Signs & Symptoms Of Gaming Addiction
Many addictions drive the addict to secretive and solitary behaviour, and potentially into isolation, and gaming addiction is especially damaging in this regard due to the typically solitary nature of most gaming. As a result, many of the symptoms of gaming addiction may be invisible or remain concealed for quite some time, as the addict withdraws from social circles and even important relationships. Nevertheless, there are a number of signs which can indicate the development of an addiction to external observers.
Video Game Addiction Is Now Being Recognizedwhat Happens Next
Like millions of kids in the 1980s, Scott Jennings played video games. Sometimes hed play a little too much, filling up an afternoon with short bouts of Pac-Man or Space Invaders. He grew out of his childhood hobby when he went to college and didnt play for another 10 years. After graduation he landed a job as a software developer and was doing pretty well.
But his drinking started spiraling out of control. When he began to drink in the morning, it scared him so much that he found help. He entered Alcoholics Anonymous and got sober.
For five or six years life was good. He learned to live with his illness, abstaining from alcohol completely. He stayed away from activities that he thought could be addictive. A friend who liked to go to casinos would invite him along, but Jennings always turned him down. I didnt want to play with fire, you know? he says. But Id never heard of gaming addiction.
He started playing video games again. At first it was just now and then. But when he went through a tough patch, he found that games helped him deal with stress and anxiety. He was terrified of falling back into addiction. I didnt want to touch alcohol. I knew what a disaster it would be if I started drinking again, he says. So I used games to cope.
He grew obsessive, thinking about games all the time.
“Every human being needs connection, and video games give us that.”
In some ways, Jennings found it harder to quit games than alcohol, mainly because of the lack of support.
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Try To Understand The True Source Of Your Own Gaming Addiction
We all do things for our own personal reasons. No matter how unconscious those reasons might be.
And often the most crucial step in moderating our habits is being aware of the true source of our own actions first .
So ask yourself why you specifically like to game so much.
This may take a bit of soul searching and more of that brutal self-honesty. But doing so may reveal an intuitive way to solve your problem almost immediately.
For example
Video Game Addiction Symptoms Causes And Effects
Although it is not yet recognized by the American Medical Association as a diagnosable disorder, video game addiction is a very real problem for many people. According to the University of New Mexico, recent studies suggest that 6 to 15 percent of all gamers exhibit signs that could be characterized as addiction. Though this disorder can have significant consequences to those suffering from it, its signs and symptoms can sometimes be very difficult to recognize.
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Seeking Help And Treatment
Video games have had a tremendous impact both positive and negative on the cultural attitudes, psychological development, and lifestyle choices of both children and adults. While these games can be viewed as a risk to players physical or emotional health, they have also been promoted as effective educational tools and have even been used for physical or cognitive rehabilitation in clinical settings. Yet for individuals who have become caught in a cycle of compulsive gaming, video games can become destructive.The growing popularity of video games has created a new awareness of the problem of compulsive gaming, which in turn has led to the development of treatment programs for this addictive process. Treatment for video game addiction focuses on behavioral modification therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , that guide the client away from the obsessive thought patterns and obsessive habits of addiction. Group therapy is a valuable source of motivation and moral support, especially for individuals who have lost contact with friends or peers as a result of their game addiction. Family or marriage counseling can help educate loved ones about the disorder and create a more stable home environment.
