Doing things you love is necessary. Nurturing a hobby and indulging it in your day makes life a lot more exciting and more manageable. But when life shrinks into that one thing, it is no longer a hobby but an addiction.
According to studies, around 6% to 15% of gamers get addicted to video gaming. It is an uncontrollable and compulsive use of games that often interrupts one’s daily life and other activities.
Types of Addiction
Video gaming addiction has been differentiated into two types.
1. Addiction Associated With Single Player Games
Single-player games consist of multiple tasks. The addiction involved with single-player games is the completion of such tasks.
2. Addiction Associated With Multi-Player Games
Multiplayer games are often never-ending. As a result, the players get addicted to becoming online characters, keeping a relationship with other players, and escaping from reality.
What Are the Causes of Video Gaming Addiction?
The primary cause of addiction is that it is how video games are designed. Like every other industry, the video gaming industry is also profit-driven. Therefore, the addictive nature yields more users and user indulgence. In addition, there are a few risk factors as listed below.
- Lower self-esteem
- Feeling neglected
- Anxiety
- Aggressiveness
- Depression
- Pessimism
- Loneliness
- Lack of empathy
What Are the Signs of Video Gaming Addiction?
The best way to tackle addiction issues is to look for early signs, detect them and treat them. The symptoms are often noticeable as it interferes with a person’s daily life. Here are a few signs of gaming addiction:
Mental Signs
- All you think about is gaming
- Being unable to play makes you down and feel bad
- It takes more gaming time to make you feel good.
- Unable to quit or play less
- Ignoring things you used to like
- Playing games despite problems
Physical Signs
- Fatigue
- Migraine
- Carpal tunnel syndrome due to excessive use of controller and mouse
- Poor personal hygiene
Effects of Gaming Addiction
Here are a few harmful effects of video gaming addiction.
- Increasing aggressive thoughts and behavior
- Risk of light-induced seizures, muscular disorders, and high metabolism
- Reduced cooperative behavior
Treatments for Video Gaming Addiction
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT)
CBT focuses on cognitive distortions, behaviors, emotional balance, developing coping mechanisms, and solving problems.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing is a counseling method that motivates the person to change through principles and guidelines.
Art Therapy
Art therapy involves the use of materials and methods to activate sensory responses and emotional imagery.
Fitness Therapy
Fitness therapy is conditioning the patient’s whole body through exercises and activities for total health and well-being.
How to Prevent Video Gaming Addiction?
Prevention is better than cure. If you can prevent falling into addiction, video gaming has a lot of benefits. Here are a few tips to avoid video gaming addiction:
- Set time limits
- Stick to the time limits
- Keep phones and gadgets out of the bedroom at night
- Indulge in other activities, mainly which includes exercise.