Gaming addiction

08 Nov Gaming addiction

The WHO lists three main criteria for the diagnosis of gaming disorder:

• An inability to control the urge to play video games
• The feeling that gaming is more important than any other activity
• Continuing to play video games despite the negative consequences of the behaviour on relationships, academic performance, and/or work.

According to the APA, a teen needs to experience at least five of the following nine criteria over a 12-month period to be classified with internet gaming disorder:

• Preoccupation with gaming
• Withdrawal symptoms like irritability and anxiety when deprived of video games
• Increased tolerance—the ability and need to spend more and more time gaming
• Loss of interest in other activities
• Deceiving parents about the amount of time they spend gaming
• Loss of educational opportunities
• Using gaming to escape or relieve anxiety, guilt, or other negative emotions.
• Inability to control the frequency and length of their playing
• Not limiting video game time even though its creating psychological problems

Dopamine Desensitization: 

Video games are extremely stimulating and cause high levels of dopamine to release when playing. This increased dopamine feels good to the gamer in the moment but can lead to their brain receptors becoming desensitized after time. “So they must play more for longer hours to feel the same level of satisfaction they once used to.”

Escapism

Gamers often play to escape stress or distract themselves from other tough emotions or real-life problems. “Gaming has the unique ability to immerse an individual and distract them from these sensations from the comfort of their own home.

Video games or social media may be avoidable, but most students need to use computers for school assignments, build tech skills for the workplace, and learn to combat distraction and procrastination as part of growing up.