Video Game Addiction Symptoms & Warning Signs
For most children and teenagers (and adults for that matter), playing video games on a computer, home console, phone, or tablet is simple entertainment that can be enjoyable break from everyday life (similar to going to the movies to watching television). Most people have few problems balancing the demands of school, work, family, and other activities while still playing video games on occasion.
However, video games can most certainly become a problem for some players and this happens when gaming significantly interferes with their academic work, relationships, health, career, and / or emotional development. When someone becomes obsessed with video games and ignores other important aspects of life treatment for an addiction to video games may even be necessary.
Video Games – Escape to a Virtual World
One of the most appealing aspects of video games is that they allow the player to immerse him/herself in a virtual world in which they can take on the persona or characteristics of a game character. For example, a person who feels powerless in the real world may have a great deal of power and influence in an online game. An introverted or shy person may feel much more assertive and confident when assuming the role of his avatar. These escape-like qualities of video games are especially common for online role playing games (commonly referred to as MMOs) such as World of Warcraft.
Diagnosing Video Game Addiction
Video Game Addiction is not an actual psychological diagnosis according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – you may actually find this surprising given how we are hearing about this problem in the last few years. However, various medical and psychological organizations are studying and reviewing the research on video game addiction and it may appear in a future edition of the DSM. For those who are pushing to have it formally classified as a mental health disorder, they often argue that video game addiction is a compulsive disorder similar to gambling addiction (another problem that wasn’t always classified as a true psychological disorder). Although video game addiction research is still in its early stages, a common finding is that between 5 and 10 percent of video game players show symptoms of addictive behaviour.
Video Game Addiction Symptoms
What are the symptoms of video game addiction? Well, since video game addiction is not an official diagnosis there is no official set of diagnostic criteria. However, researchers and clinicians often mention the following symptoms when discussing video game addiction:
Playing video games are almost every free opportunity
Anger or irritability when not able to access a favourite game
No longer participating in activities (e.g., sports or hobbies) the player once enjoyed
Choosing to play video games rather than spend time with friends or family
Lying about how often or how much time is spent playing video games
Falling grades (for kids and teens) or poor work performance (for adults)
Falling asleep at school (for kids and teens) or at work (for adults)
Paying little attention to personal care or hygiene
Dry, watery eyes from extended hours of gaming
Headaches
Poor sleep habits (often from late night gaming sessions)
Feeling a loss of control while playing
Neglecting other important responsibilities in favor of video games
However, video games can most certainly become a problem for some players and this happens when gaming significantly interferes with their academic work, relationships, health, career, and / or emotional development. When someone becomes obsessed with video games and ignores other important aspects of life treatment for an addiction to video games may even be necessary.
Video Games – Escape to a Virtual World
One of the most appealing aspects of video games is that they allow the player to immerse him/herself in a virtual world in which they can take on the persona or characteristics of a game character. For example, a person who feels powerless in the real world may have a great deal of power and influence in an online game. An introverted or shy person may feel much more assertive and confident when assuming the role of his avatar. These escape-like qualities of video games are especially common for online role playing games (commonly referred to as MMOs) such as World of Warcraft.
Diagnosing Video Game Addiction
Video Game Addiction is not an actual psychological diagnosis according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – you may actually find this surprising given how we are hearing about this problem in the last few years. However, various medical and psychological organizations are studying and reviewing the research on video game addiction and it may appear in a future edition of the DSM. For those who are pushing to have it formally classified as a mental health disorder, they often argue that video game addiction is a compulsive disorder similar to gambling addiction (another problem that wasn’t always classified as a true psychological disorder). Although video game addiction research is still in its early stages, a common finding is that between 5 and 10 percent of video game players show symptoms of addictive behaviour.
Video Game Addiction Symptoms
What are the symptoms of video game addiction? Well, since video game addiction is not an official diagnosis there is no official set of diagnostic criteria. However, researchers and clinicians often mention the following symptoms when discussing video game addiction:
Playing video games are almost every free opportunity
Anger or irritability when not able to access a favourite game
No longer participating in activities (e.g., sports or hobbies) the player once enjoyed
Choosing to play video games rather than spend time with friends or family
Lying about how often or how much time is spent playing video games
Falling grades (for kids and teens) or poor work performance (for adults)
Falling asleep at school (for kids and teens) or at work (for adults)
Paying little attention to personal care or hygiene
Dry, watery eyes from extended hours of gaming
Headaches
Poor sleep habits (often from late night gaming sessions)
Feeling a loss of control while playing
Neglecting other important responsibilities in favor of video games