VIDEO GAMING ADDICTION

Did you know?

Gaming can be a fun and relaxing way to spend your time, have fun with your friends and it can be an entertaining hobby. But how does it turn to an addiction?
No one can tell for sure what the source of the addictive behaviour is.
The source of the addictive quality of gaming is still unknown, but researchers propose that the process of playing and winning these games may trigger a release of dopamine, a brain chemical that elevates mood and provides a rush of energy. Dopamine is the same neurotransmitter involved in other addictive activities, such as alcohol or drug abuse.

What is it?

Currently, the video game market delivers fun to over two billion people worldwide and people play around 6 hours a week to relax and enjoy the challenges of the game, but unfortunately for some people, this innocent hobby can become addictive.
With new technologies, and the constant renewal of smartphones, games are also available in various applications and social networks, and in conjunction with multiplayer role-playing games among the most popular. All these versions of the game offer entertainment when there is moderation, but became a problem when there is an urge to play obsessively and unhealthy, affecting children and adults irrespectively.

When does video gaming become addictive?

It becomes a disorder to the video game when people sacrifice their jobs, relationships to play about 60 hours a week. In children and adolescents, threats to their parents can escalate when playtime is repressed or controlled.
Gaming disorder is defined as the behavior where there is no control over video games, giving them priority over other activities in daily life and leaving aside other activities regardless of the negative results that this implies.
When there is a serious problem and it can be diagnosed, the associated behaviors must be extremely serious to deteriorate personal and family relationships, work or educational activities and must be reflected over a period of about one year.

How to recognize the symptoms?

The associated signs that show that there is an addiction associated with video games, take the following into consideration to know if there is a serious problem with your love one:

  • The person excludes himself and does not participate with family and friends.
  • He or she lies about how regularly he or she plays and usually secretly plays the video game.
  • If he or she doesn’t play the game, is irritated and angry.
  • Neglecting responsibilities at work or school for playing video games
  • Not enjoying and avoiding activities that made them happy before.
  • Avoid eating to play the video game
  • He or she doesn’t get enough sleep from playing the video game, so they look tired.
  • Shows physical problems such as migraines, visual fatigue among other symptoms from playing video games excessively.

Treatment – How to get help?

To overcome video game addiction or help someone you love and who is struggling with the addiction, there are various ways available, such as specific programs, support groups both in person and online that help people to get out of video game addiction.
The most important step that a person addicted to video games must take is to stop playing.
This is often difficult, however it is a personal decision to put the game aside to get your life back and it requires great willpower to make a drastic decision to end the addiction to video games.
If you do not know how to stop playing video games, seek help from a professional who will be able to guide you on how to start therapy.
A person with a video game addiction must reflect that playing should not be the center of his or her life, but if it is, there is hope that he or she will free herself from the screen.

If you believe that someone that you love or a friend are struggling with video game addiction, please do not hesitate to contact us to provide you with more information from where you can seek help. You can send us an email, call us, message using Whatsapp also you can get in touch with us by visiting our social media.

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