Digital technology over the years has continued to become a huge asset to users. With social media, emails, text messages, the internet, apps, and online gaming at your fingertips, anyone with access can pretty much solve any problem or entertain themselves at any given time. In fact, someone can easily play a video game anytime or anywhere with a simple download to their phone. With the ease of gaming, more people of all ages are getting addicted to video games more frequently on their phones, computers, tablets, and gaming devices.
The World Health Organization (WHO) deemed gaming addiction as a disorder in 2018 in their International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Their definition is “a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior, which may be online or offline, manifested by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.”
Games like Fortnight, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, League of Legends, and Candy Crush have created more problems because of the addicting nature the producers of these games accomplish by allowing players to escape and determine measurable progress as they play. Gaining instant gratification is the goal of game developers by creating a competitive and social environment for players to enjoy. The problem is that some players overly enjoy gaming which results in a negative impact as they become fixated on the game.
Signs of gaming addiction
Obsessed with gaming: An individual may be struggling with a gaming disorder when gaming becomes their dominant activity and the majority of their thoughts revolve around gaming. They begin to lose interest in normal everyday activities and hobbies, begin to use gaming as a way to escape their feelings, and experience withdrawals when gaming abilities are taken away.
Problems in relationships: When someone puts gaming in front of everything else, relationships of all kinds are tested. Someone with addiction can deceive their loved ones, friends, employers, teachers, or therapists to keep their problem from being found out. Significant relationships can be severed, jobs can be lost, or they may drop their educational programs in order to continue gaming.
Excessive use: Despite knowing the negative consequences that are caused by gaming, a person will continue to proceed with their extensive gaming sessions. Someone with a gaming disorder will lose all control of being able to stop their gaming tendencies and spend all their time trying to finish or win the game without any concern for anything else.
Gaming addiction, just like any other addiction, does not discriminate with gender or age. Anyone who becomes obsessed with playing video games can be affected and will need help to stop.
Offering a full range of recovery and mental health services, Valiant Living offers “Expanded Recovery” to enrich our clients’ lives in mind, body, and spirit. Through evidence-based therapy options and the endless adventure of Colorado, Valiant fosters connection, encouraging clients to get connected to themselves, their peers, their families, and their higher power. With the power of recovery, clients are restored to full health and experience life-changing healing. Call us today for more information: 303-536-5463
