Video games are the new generation of toys. Digital toys, if you will. People of all ages seem to enjoy video games a lot, right from toddlers to adults. Sometimes, too much of something can be harmful to your health. Too many chocolates give you cavities. Too much alcohol gives you a damaged liver.
Well, there are many such things. For instance, parents also keep yelling at their kids to have them stop using their phones a lot. And they might not be wrong. That screen in your hand is very, VERY addicting. We get it, you cannot just cut off screen time, and it can get difficult due to the need to use tech at work or for school. But we most definitely can control it.
Speaking of games, how could a video game become an addiction? Games are supposed to be fun. Not like we call playing too much football an addiction? That is a hobby. Your passion. Something you like to do. So, why do we call it an addiction to digital games? When do video games become an addiction?
Today, we are here to discuss all these things and see if video game addiction exists or not.
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Video Game Addiction: All About It
If you are too much on your screen playing video games that you turn a blind eye to your daily activities, then my friend, you are addicted to the games. The difference between gaming as a hobby and gaming being an addiction is the change in your behavioral pattern.
People addicted to games tend to have a lot of social, educational, occupational, and many such problems. This behavioral change usually occurs after excessive video gaming for a 12-month period. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), video gaming addiction is a “Gaming Disorder.”
In fact, researchers still argue if video game addiction is a mental disorder or an addiction. Their confusion is justified, though. Similar to a mental disorder, these games take a toll on the person going through the gaming addiction’s brains. We will look at how so further in detail.
Gaming Disorder Symptoms
If you feel video games can take a toll on you or your friends and family, and you must do something about it, here are some signs you should watch out for.
Consider the addiction has started if:
You start turning away from your social life and the hobbies you liked to do before.
You use video games as a method of escape from your bad mood, like anxiousness or depression.
You have been underperforming at work or school.
You feel disturbed and sad if someone takes away the opportunity of playing games.
You feel the need to play more because you just aren’t satisfied.
Video game addiction is serious if you have been facing a minimum of five of these gaming addiction symptoms.
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Video Game Addiction Causes
Well, the whole point of video games is to keep you glued to it. If you are not engrossed in a game, how will you clear the levels? If you are not clearing the levels, how will you enjoy it? It’s a vicious cycle, my friend. The most logical explanation of what causes gaming addiction is that it releases dopamine.
Yes, the same chemical that releases when you have your favorite food or having s** well. Nevermind. The feel-good hormone, basically. Playing games and clearing levels releases dopamine in your body, which in turn makes you want to play more because who wouldn’t want to feel even better?
Gaming Addiction Treatment
Like any other mental illness, therapy can also help with gaming addiction. You must check out cognitive-behavioral therapy if you are suffering from video game addiction. CBT is a great way to understand your thought process. You can decipher what your thoughts do to your actions and make behavioral improvements accordingly.
Additionally, you can also try talking to your family. Your mom had always been right about the phones! But seriously, talk to them. Sometimes family does what a therapist can’t do.
Video games are not a bad thing. Neither are they a threat to the youth. However, one must know how much they should be playing.
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