What Do You Need To Know About Video Game Addiction?

Overview

Video games come in a wide variety of formats and may be enjoyed on a wide variety of devices, from home computers and consoles to arcade cabinets and mobile phones.

Since the '50s, the gaming business has expanded into a multi-billion dollar sector of the economy. A minority of concerned adults, however, point to research suggesting computer games may have negative consequences for young people's brain development. These sorts of questions lie at the heart of the worries:

• "Are video games harmful?"
• "Do violent video games cause aggression?"
• "Do video games have an addictive quality?"

There appears to be evidence that playing video games can be detrimental, can make individuals more aggressive, and can be addictive, but the data isn't conclusive. But these results are highly individual, and they could be due to a wide variety of other things besides just playing video games.

Signs Of Addiction

Depending on the study you read, anywhere from 1% to 16% of gamers exhibit addictive behaviours. A video game addiction's official definition, however, might vary greatly depending on the group you question. Because of this, it's easy to misjudge whether your own or someone else's gaming habits fall into the light, moderate, or heavy categories.

The total amount of time spent gaming and the purpose fulfilled by the activity are both important considerations when determining whether or not a person has a gaming addiction, as is the case with any other sort of addiction. As a kind of entertainment among many others, playing video games may not be detrimental or indicative of an addiction.

When a person develops a gaming addiction, playing video games becomes their main form of stress relief to the detriment of other important facets of their existence.

Addiction to video games or excessive use of video games is most frequently observed in players of persistent multiplayer gaming universes, also known as Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPG games for short). The worldwide revenue from MMORPGs accounts for 25 percent of the total.

The fact that these games occur in real time adds to their appeal, along with the fact that they are interactive, social, and competitive. It has been proved, however, that MMORPGs are more addictive than other types of video games. Due to this, they frequently have a detrimental effect on learning, rest, and health.

Is It A True Addiction?

Video game addiction is met with scepticism, just like any other form of behavioural dependency. There is not enough data to say with certainty that excessive usage of video games is, in fact, an addiction, despite the fact that research on gaming is finding some troubling impacts, particularly in younger gamers.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), often referred to as the "gold standard" reference for mental health conditions, has recently added Internet Gaming Disorder to its list of conditions that warrant additional research. As a consequence of this, proposed criteria have been published, despite the fact that it is not yet fully acknowledged as a disorder.

Similarity To Other Addictions

Addicts who play video games for long periods of time share many symptoms with those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, including a strong emotional investment in the activity and recurrent patterns of social difficulties.

Like those who are dependent on drugs or alcohol, those who are addicted to video games will become preoccupied with gaming to the exclusion of anything else, including their loved ones and their education. In addition, studies have revealed a correlation between early video game exposure and later addictive behaviours in children.

A wide range of reactions is seen to the activity, much like the variety of reactions seen to other addictive behaviours. Some gamers report feeling withdrawal symptoms when they are unable to play, while others are able to significantly reduce the amount of time they spend playing.

Harmful Effects

An unhealthy fixation with video games might have negative impacts on a child's developing brain and body. Long durations of sitting in one place, either at a desk or on the couch, can have detrimental consequences on even adult players. Here are some of the biggest worries among younger players:

• The effects of a sedentary lifestyle, characterised by prolonged sitting in front of a screen or at a computer, on the developing body of a young person are well documented. Lack of exercise from playing video games is a direct contributor to the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes in American children and adolescents. Poor posture and weight gain are two other harmful impacts.
• Absence of social contact: Video games do not necessarily prepare kids for the difficulties of social interaction with their peers in the real world, despite the fact that they require them to interact with other people in virtual surroundings. People who spend too much time gaming run the risk of ignoring one of the most important social skills, which is learning how to interact with others in a setting that replicates the real world.
• Difficulty focusing and paying attention The fast-paced nature of video games has raised concerns that it could impair players' ability to focus. The need for more concentrated attention and prolonged concentration when reading a book may dissuade children who spend a lot of time playing video games from developing a love of reading.
• For some, the developmental challenges inherent in adolescence—a time of self-exploration and personal growth—can be overwhelming. In order to grow into responsible people who are ready to take on the world's difficulties, teenagers must learn to cope with negative emotions and awkward social circumstances. If used responsibly, fantasy roleplaying video games can teach children valuable character traits that can help them interact with others. Kids can put off facing the difficulties of growing up, but that's only if they utilise video games as an escape.
• More time spent playing violent video games may be associated with increased hostility in children and teenagers. Video games receive ratings on a scale similar to that used for movies, and it is the responsibility of parents to be aware of these ratings.
• The flashing images, lights, and colours seen on video game displays may trigger seizure activity in some gamers. Another danger is that of developing repetitive stress injuries. Further, there is mounting evidence that excessive gaming can cause repetitive stress injuries, particularly in the hands and wrists.

Research conducted on people who are addicted to video games reveals that they have worse mental health and cognitive functioning than people who do not have a video game addiction. This includes having less impulse control and more ADHD symptoms.

Addictive video gamers also tend to struggle more than the general population with mental health issues like sadness and anxiety. They also tend to have problems with their use of pornographic content on the internet and report feeling more socially alienated.

Signs To Watch For

Here is a list of characteristics to look for in yourself or in a close friend, partner, or family member. Having five or more of these symptoms over the course of a year is recommended by the DSM-5 criteria in order to have a problem. The following are examples of such indicators:

• Being preoccupied with gaming to the exclusion of other interests
• It's horrible when you can't play, and it takes more and more time spent playing before you feel decent again.
• not wishing to play as much as you used to or at all; losing interest in past hobbies.
• Is your gaming causing you problems at work, school, or home?
• playing on despite the difficulties
• Fabricating a story to cover up your excessive gaming time to your loved ones is dishonest and destructive.
• Using video games as a therapeutic tool to deal with emotional distress

Evidently, not everyone who plays video games for long periods of time has an issue with it. According to some authorities, stigmatising persons who have a strong interest in video games is counterproductive. They all agree that just a small subset of gamers fit the diagnostic criteria for video game addiction. Researchers have calculated that between 1% and 9% of all gamers, both young and old, suffer from this.

To get started, you could ask yourself some questions like these: Is your time spent playing video games preventing you from focusing on other important facets of your life, like your relationships, your career, or your studies? Do you ever feel like you've crossed over from enjoying playing to feeling obligated to play? Is it conceivable that you use gaming to avoid dealing with real problems, like depression?

It can be challenging to recognise your own flaws. For instance, you might think that you have no problem with the time you spend playing video games. But if your loved ones say it's too much, you should probably think about cutting back.

If you're a parent concerned about how much time your kid spends playing video games, you might want to look at how they're performing in other areas, like school and social life. Video games probably won't be a problem for a kid who gets along well with their parents and does well in school.

Getting Help

Talk to your primary care physician or a therapist if you feel your gaming habits are becoming problematic; if you are concerned about your kid, contact the school's paediatrician.

Similarly, studies focusing on how best to cure gaming addicts are still in their infancy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (often known as "CBT") is a potential method of treatment. Mental health counselling may teach you new perspectives on video games, which can help you alter your behaviour.

If you are having difficulty saying "no" to your child when they beg to play video games, therapy may be able to help you set healthy limits. One study found that treatment results for children improved when parents were included.

Video games have had far-reaching effects on people of all ages, altering their worldviews, psychological development, and lifestyle choices. Many teachers now see video games not just as a terrific way to engage students but also as potentially beneficial to their students' health. Patients' emotional and physical healings have been aided by their use in hospitals. However, people who are already mired in a cycle of compulsive gaming may be especially prone to the ill consequences of gaming for extended periods of time. As the number of individuals who play video games regularly rises, so too does awareness of the problem and the number of programmes designed to aid those with the disease. Behavior modification techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, provide the backbone of treatment for gaming addiction (CBT). Addiction treatment programmes are geared on assisting patients in breaking free of the compulsive, reoccurring thinking and behaviour patterns that define the disease. People whose social lives have suffered as a result of their gaming habit may find great success in participating in group therapy. Game addiction sufferers will confirm this. Facilitating communication and acceptance amongst loved ones is a primary goal of marriage and family therapy.

Medication treatment using antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds may be helpful for clients who have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another mental condition that occurs often in tandem with another. Abuse of drugs or alcohol, if present, also calls for medical detox and specialised therapy. This is true regardless of the client's past drug or alcohol use.

Inpatient therapy for video game addiction may be preferable than outpatient care, depending on the severity of the addictive behaviour and the existence of any co-occurring medical or mental conditions. Individuals who have had difficulty setting limits on their video game playing may benefit from inpatient therapy, which offers constant observation in a safe, controlled setting. Outpatient therapy, which includes intensive outpatient programmes and partial hospitalisation programmes, provides an alternative for those who are unable to participate in inpatient treatment due to personal obligations or who lack the will to recover from addictive behaviours (PHPs). Those who are unable to participate in residential treatment due to other obligations have the option of receiving care on an outpatient basis.