Video Game Addiction Guides & Articles
What Is Video Game Addiction?
Video or internet gaming addiction presents as a lack of control over gaming habits. As a result of the loss of control, negative consequences occur. For example, the person may not take care of their health or may develop negative relationships at work or school. 1
This type of addiction is a behavioral addiction, which means it involves behaviors rather than substances. Researchers say the “rush” of winning becomes a push to keep playing, even when gaming negatively impacts the person’s life or becomes consuming.
Around 1.7% to 10% of the population has a video game addiction. People with low self-control, anxiety, or impulsivity are often at risk of developing the addiction. Behavioral risk factors include:
- Increased gaming time during the week
- Attending offline gaming community meet-ups
- Spending an increasing amount of money on gaming
Playing games doesn’t necessarily constitute addiction. However, when addiction develops, it often leads to negligence in other areas of life, such as self-care or work-life balance.
in Video Game
As with gambling addiction, video game addiction is a clinical impulse control disorder. According to psychiatrist Michael Brody, MD, the criteria for video game addiction is the same as that for addiction to a substance. In both cases, the person requires more of the source as time goes on and becomes irritable and despondent when […]
in Video Game
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 […]
in Video Game
Playing the occasional video game for fun is typically harmless. It is, after all, just one of many recreational activities you and your friends can enjoy together during your leisure time. Besides social entertainment, some games even come with further benefits as they can build decision-making skills, give education and help the general well-being of […]
in Video Game
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook These days, most people have tried various smartphone or tablet games – after all, games are the single biggest category of apps; games take up over 20% of the Apple App Store. They’re also the most popular, comprising 33% of iPhone downloads and 48% of iPad installs. And you […]
What Causes Video Game Addiction?
There’s no single cause of video game addiction. However, the release of dopamine, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that comes from winning or playing games, could play a role in video game addiction. Dopamine’s release creates a rewarding or motivating sensation that can lead to the continuation of the act that caused its release. 1
Interestingly, neurological research has shown that those with video game addictions have similar brain scans to those with substance use disorders. 1 When people experience hyperarousal (an excessive arousal due to increased dopamine release) during gameplay, the brain associates gaming with positivity. When they play, they feel good, which leads to a strong drive to continue playing in the future. This self-reinforcing process leads to addiction over time. It can also lead to withdrawal symptoms if a person can’t play games like usual. 2
Adolescents (particularly males) are prone to video game addiction, but anyone can become addicted. Certain personality factors, such as lower social skills, impulsiveness, and a greater acceptance of violence, may play a role in the development of video game addiction. Those who are unhappy with their lives may also become addicted to video games at a greater rate. 3
What Are the Symptoms of Video Game Addiction?
Video game addiction signs vary from person to person, but some common ones include: 2
- Skipping or limiting social or recreational activities to play video games
- Lying about the extent of video gaming in daily life
- Needing more time gaming to get the same level of enjoyment
- Continuing to play games, even when they affect the person’s performance at work or school
- Spending money on games despite being unable to afford to
- Becoming angry, anxious, or irritable when unable to play
- Neglecting self-care
This list isn’t exhaustive. If gaming has a negative impact on aspects of a person’s life, video game addiction is a possibility.
How Is Video Game Addiction Diagnosed?
The first step to diagnosing video game addiction is reaching out to a healthcare provider. Physicians may offer referrals to psychologists or psychiatrists who will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose the disorder. In DSM-5, internet gaming disorder is listed in a special section (Section III) as a condition warranting more clinical research and experience before it can be included in the main book as a formal disorder.
Patients answer questions about their medical and personal health. They also discuss their gaming patterns with a psychiatrist or psychologist. 1 Internet gaming disorder diagnoses occur when the gaming behavior patterns are so severe or extreme that they impair a person’s social, educational, occupational, or personal functions. Generally, the patterns have to persist for at least a year. 1
Effects of Video Game Addiction
Video game addictions affect people differently—they may impact their hygiene, work, schooling, or personal relationships. As the addiction behaviors become more extreme, they often lead to significant impairment of occupational and social functioning. 1
Those with video game addictions may isolate themselves or stop interacting with others at work or school. They may miss work days or school days, stop participating in activities they normally enjoyed, or cut off friends and family.
Best Treatment for Video Game Addiction
Healthcare providers typically suggest psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) to treat the underlying cause of the behaviors. 1 Some forms of therapy that might help with video game addiction include:
- Group therapy: In this type of psychotherapy, peers discuss their problems together.
- Marriage counseling: This type of therapy educates spouses about the disorder.
- Family counseling: This may be used to educate family or friends about the disorder.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: Also known as CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy is goal-focused and helps the individual understand their thoughts and emotions. It helps the person identify harmful or obsessive thought patterns and teaches them how to change those patterns into healthier habits.
No two people are exactly the same, so the specific treatments for video game addiction may vary.
How To Cope With Video Game Addiction
Whether the individual or someone they care about has to address video game addiction, the primary way to cope is through patience, followed by seeking advice from a healthcare provider. Finding help to treat video game addiction is possible. During recovery, it’s normal for the individual to feel anxious, depressed, or angry. Those around them should focus on staying present and being there for them. They can also look for ways to create distractions, such as planning time away from home where a computer system is readily available for use.
Encouragement and support are powerful tools to get the person through withdrawal so they can move forward in life. 4
How To Help Someone With Video Game Addiction
Those with friends or family who have a suspected video game addiction may want to speak to healthcare providers for their suggestions first. 4 Licensed mental health professionals have the skills needed to offer CBT, which is the primary video game addiction treatment. 5 The professional will take time to diagnose the individual and set up appointments for the therapies that work best to support recovery. 5 Addictions are strong and may cause significant distress, so having a plan in place to reduce symptoms while supporting the person’s recovery is key. 4
Sources:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23124-video-game-addiction
- https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/are-video-games-and-screens-another-addiction
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201308/are-video-games-addictive
- https://www.psychguides.com/guides/how-to-find-help-treating-a-video-game-addict
- https://www.psychology.org/resources/cognitive-behavioral-therapy
