Gaming Addiction: What Are the Signs and What Can You Do?

Gaming addiction is marked by a persistent urge and need to play video games. This behavioral addiction leads to excessive and intense gaming behavior, which can cause significant damage to a person’s personal life, social relationships, academic performance, or professional functioning.

Gaming addiction manifests through a range of symptoms, such as a continuous obsession with games, withdrawal symptoms when not playing, loss of interest in other activities, and using gaming as a way to escape negative feelings. The addiction typically develops gradually, with gaming taking up more time and pushing other activities aside.

The effects can be both mental (such as depression and anxiety) and physical (such as poor sleep and reduced physical health). Persons lacking social skills, experiencing high levels of stress, or other psychological issues are at higher risk. Diagnosis follows a thorough evaluation by a professional, assessing the gaming’s impact on daily functioning.

Treatments range from behavioral therapy to medication and support groups. Compared to other behavioral addictions, gaming addiction also exhibits patterns of compulsive behavior and withdrawal symptoms, but its unique aspect is the interactive nature of games and the role of the internet and online gaming, which offer a constant and easily accessible source of pleasure and escape.

What is gaming addiction?

Gaming addiction is a behavioral addiction in which a person develops an obsession with gaming. Gaming takes top priority at the expense of other interests and daily responsibilities. This addiction is characterized by constant thoughts about and planning for gaming, even if it leads to negative consequences.

Despite attempts to stop or cut down, the person continues to excessively game, often as a way to escape or avoid a negative mood. Withdrawal symptoms may occur when gaming is not possible.

The official criteria for gaming addiction, as examined by Sussman, Harper, Stahl, & Weigle (2018) in their work on internet and gaming addictions, describe a pattern of compulsive use of digital technologies, including internet and video games, leading to significant limitations or distress. This pattern must persist for a certain period and result in disruptions of personal, familial, social, educational, or occupational functions.

The DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) classifies internet gaming disorder as a condition requiring further study, recognizing that gaming addiction can have a serious impact on an individual’s mental health and well-being.

What are the key signs and symptoms of gaming addiction?

Constant thoughts about gaming, restlessness when not playing, and a growing need for more time to game are the primary signs and symptoms of gaming addiction. People often experience an inability to reduce playtime, despite attempts and the desire to stop.

There is a loss of interest in social activities and responsibilities, with a continuous focus on gaming despite negative consequences. This can lead to lying about the amount of time spent gaming and using gaming to alleviate negative moods.

Risks such as jeopardizing educational opportunities and personal relationships are not uncommon, as well as poor physical health from repetitive strain and injuries due to prolonged gaming. Diagnosis requires persistent behavior that leads to significant stress or limitations in daily life.

According to Stockdale and Coyne (2018), individuals with gaming addiction exhibit poorer emotional, physical, mental, and social health, with more emotional distress and social isolation. This underscores the severity of gaming addiction as a disorder that impacts major aspects of well-being.

What are the differences between healthy gaming and gaming addiction?

Healthy gaming is balanced, respects boundaries, and allows space for other life aspects such as work, study, and socializing. Gaming addiction, on the other hand, is characterized by a lack of control over gaming, making it a priority over all other life aspects.

The differences between healthy gaming and gaming addiction lie in the extent of gaming’s impact on daily life. Gamers play for fun, can stop when necessary, and do not let their responsibilities suffer from their hobby. They occasionally use games to relax or avoid stress, but this does not lead to negative consequences.

People with gaming addiction, however, continue to game despite obvious emotional, physical, mental, and social health problems. They experience stress or distress when they cannot play, with their relationships, work, or studies suffering as a result. The urge to game is often fueled by the need to escape negative emotions or problems. This can lead to a decline in interest in other activities and noticeable deterioration in daily functioning.

According to Stockdale and Coyne’s research, individuals with gaming addiction demonstrate worse emotional, physical, mental, and social health compared to non-addicted individuals, with women facing unique risks for negative outcomes. This highlights the need to distinguish healthy gaming from gaming addiction, where the latter requires intervention to reduce the negative impact on people’s lives.

How does gaming addiction develop over time?

Gaming addiction develops gradually: what starts as an innocent form of relaxation slowly turns into a compulsive habit. Gaming is increasingly used to avoid negative emotions or stress, with pleasure giving way to an escape from reality.

A person may play for hours to experience a sense of relief or escape. This dependence is marked by a significant increase in time spent gaming despite its negative consequences. At some point, the individual feels unable to stop or limit gaming, leading to neglect of personal and social responsibilities.

At this stage, gaming addiction clearly disrupts daily life, bringing wide-ranging psychological, social, and physical issues. Psychologically, stress, anxiety, depression, and withdrawal symptoms may occur, while social contact often decreases due to neglect of relationships and diminishing social skills.

Prolonged playing sessions can cause physical complaints such as fatigue, sleep problems, and an inactive lifestyle. Research by Kuss and Griffiths (2012) shows that gaming addiction develops step by step: from risk factors and causes to a real addiction with harmful effects and possible treatments. It follows a pattern akin to other behavioral addictions.

What are the short-term and long-term effects of gaming addiction?

In the short term, gaming addiction leads to reduced performance, stress, headaches, sleep problems, repetitive injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, and eye strain. In the long term, gaming addiction leads to chronic health issues and causes migraines, limb weakness, obesity, and exacerbation of ADHD symptoms and insomnia.

It can also result in neglect of personal hygiene, muscle atrophy, weight gain, increased anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, restlessness, depression, mood swings, and withdrawal from social groups. The fixation on gaming comes at the expense of daily activities, work, career, and studies. Relationships with loved ones are strained, leading to an escalation of discomforts.

Who is at risk of developing gaming addiction?

Individuals with limited social skills, high levels of neuroticism, and a lack of alternative hobbies are most at risk of developing gaming addiction. These factors increase dependency on online environments for social interaction, where games that emphasize reward and progression reinforce compulsive play.

Children and young people are particularly vulnerable because their brains are not yet fully developed and they are more easily exposed to the negative effects of excessive gaming. The accessibility of games, designed for quick and constant rewards, facilitates the development of a gaming addiction.

Research by Karaca et al. (2020) indicates that risk factors for online gaming addiction among high school students include older age, increased social anxiety, working parents, and excessive computer use. These factors heighten the vulnerability of children and adolescents to gaming addiction.

Moreover, there is a striking link between gaming addiction and other psychiatric disorders, showing that individuals with certain mental health issues are at greater risk of developing gaming addiction as a way to escape problems or negative emotions.

Are children and adolescents more vulnerable to gaming addiction?

Yes, children and adolescents are more vulnerable. Their brains are still developing, making them more susceptible to (gaming) addiction. The activation of reward areas in the brain is different for youth, with a reduced response to rewards, they thus seek more intense stimulation.

Research by Derevensky, Hayman, and Gilbeau (2019) shows that excessive gaming, gambling, internet use, and smartphone use often begin during childhood and adolescence. Children and teens in this developmental phase are moreover sensitive to social and mental health problems, increasing the risk of gaming addiction.

Stress and negative experiences in daily life can make young people turn to gaming more, increasing the likelihood of problematic behavior. It’s crucial that the behavior of children and adolescents is closely monitored and supported to prevent gaming addiction.

What causes or contributes to gaming addiction?

Gaming addiction is caused or exacerbated by factors such as socio-economic status, smoking, online and computer use, and the mother’s work status, while gender and the mother’s education level can have a protective effect according to Toker and Baturay (2016).

Other contributing factors include a mix of personality traits, such as a tendency toward impulsivity and a lack of emotion regulation, making individuals more susceptible to addiction. Younger age groups exposed to games develop addiction more quickly due to their not fully developed brains. Game design plays a crucial role; games are designed for easy online access, with reward mechanisms that keep players engaged for long periods.

These designs can form an addictive platform, particularly for people with a genetic predisposition or personality traits that make them more vulnerable to gaming addiction. Also, mental health issues, such as ADHD, and unmet psychological needs are involved. Games often offer a temporary escape from stress, tension, and negative emotions, leading individuals to use gaming as a way to regulate emotions.

This is reinforced by the sense of achievement and progression within games, which provide a sense of fulfillment possibly lacking in real life. Family dynamics and peer pressure also play a role. Isolation and lack of social interaction can drive individuals to seek online contact, while pressure to perform stimulates excessive gaming. Parental attitudes and study pressure contribute, with gaming seen as an escape or reward.

Can gaming addiction occur alongside other mental health problems?

Yes, gaming addiction can co-occur with other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. Research by Burleigh, Griffiths, Sumich, Stavropoulos, and Kuss (2019) indicates that gaming addiction often occurs alongside other addictive behaviors such as alcohol abuse and addictive use of social media.

How is gaming addiction diagnosed?

Gaming addiction is diagnosed through a clinical assessment and meeting specific criteria, as described in the DSM-V, which also includes internet gaming disorder. The diagnosis is made by a professional and is based on playtime and the impact on daily life.

According to Sussman, Harper, Stahl, and Weigle (2018), diagnosis involves identifying behavior patterns that cause significant distress or impairment in personal, familial, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. A person is considered to be game-addicted if they meet at least five of the following criteria within a year:

• an excessive interest in games
• withdrawal symptoms when not playing
• a need to increase the amount of time spent gaming
• unsuccessful attempts to control or stop gaming
• loss of interest in other activities
• continuation of gaming despite knowledge of psychosocial problems
• lying about the amount of gaming
• using games to escape negative moods
• jeopardizing or losing an important relationship, job, or educational or career opportunities due to gaming.

What are the most effective treatments for game addiction?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), support from family and friends, medication, and prevention strategies are the most effective treatments for game addiction. Research by Wölfling et al. (2019) highlights the promise of Short-Term Treatment for Internet and Game Addiction (STICA), a protocolized CBT addressing a wide range of internet addictions.

This approach has proven effective in reducing symptoms of game addiction by helping individuals identify and change problematic thoughts and behaviors and develop better coping strategies. Therapies such as CBT, mindfulness, and behavioral interventions have been extensively researched and proven effective in managing game addiction. They help individuals become aware of their addiction.

Support from family and friends is crucial; it improves communication dynamics and helps alleviate the core symptoms of addiction. Medication, although not specifically approved for game addiction, such as bupropion and escitalopram, can be useful as an adjunct to psychological treatments for comorbid conditions such as depression.

Prevention strategies, including voluntary abstinence, treatment in a rehabilitation clinic, and alternative therapies such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), offer additional options to enhance the effectiveness of game addiction therapies. Studies show that a combined approach, integrating various techniques, is particularly helpful in reducing excessive gaming and improving control.

What types of therapy are used in the rehabilitation of game addiction?

The main forms of therapy for game addiction include CBT, family or couples therapy, mindfulness, and virtual reality therapy (VRT). CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to the addiction, while also developing coping strategies for managing the urge to game.

Family therapy focuses on improving communication and addressing issues within the family needed for recovery, by tackling dynamics that may reinforce the addiction. Mindfulness trains participants to be aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment, which helps reduce game-related urges and strengthens motivation and commitment to recovery.

VRT, as explored by Park et al. (2016), has shown to reduce the severity of online game addiction and improve the balance of the cortico-striatal-limbic circuit, highlighting the effectiveness of using simulated environments to help participants learn new behaviors and reduce addictive conduct. Each therapy is tailored to individual needs, combining techniques as appropriate.

How can families and friends support someone with game addiction?

Family and friends can support someone with game addiction by providing emotional and social support, reinforcing positive relationships, reducing loneliness and stress, encouraging healthy gaming habits and time management, and actively engaging in education and treatment.

Studies show these approaches are effective. Open communication without judgment helps reduce shame and fosters empathy. Strengthening family bonds through shared activities can improve interactions and reduce loneliness. Setting healthy boundaries and realistic limits on gaming time, with a focus on balancing it with schoolwork or other responsibilities, promotes balanced habits.

Professional help, such as participation in CBT, is effective. Involvement in treatment significantly improves outcomes. Supporting small successes through encouragement can help build positive experiences outside of gaming. Educating the family about the consequences of game addiction and participating in support groups can provide valuable support.

With this combined approach, families and friends can play a significant role in the recovery process.

Can medication help with symptoms of game addiction?

Yes, medication can help with certain symptoms of game addiction. Drugs such as atomoxetine, often used for treating ADHD, can be effective in reducing symptoms of game addiction by improving cognitive control and reducing impulsive behavior.

Research by Han, D., Hwang, J., & Renshaw, P. indicates that treatment with extended-release bupropion is effective in reducing cravings for video games and cue-induced brain activity in patients with an internet video game addiction. This shows that certain medications, such as bupropion, can be helpful in addressing the core symptoms of game addiction.

However, it is important to emphasize that medication is best combined with CBT for game addiction treatment. Studies have shown that a combined approach, including both drugs and therapy, is often necessary to address underlying psychological issues and achieve sustainable behavior change.

Early intervention is crucial for treatment effectiveness. While medication can alleviate symptoms, full recovery often depends on comprehensive treatment focused on developing healthier coping mechanisms and addressing any coexisting conditions, such as depression, often associated with game addiction. Treatment should be customized, focusing on both the physical and psychological aspects of the addiction.

How can game addiction be prevented?

Game addiction can be prevented by setting clear gaming limits, such as a maximum number of minutes on weekdays and hours on weekends. It’s important to keep internet devices out of the bedroom and encourage participation in outdoor activities, creative pursuits, and social events.

Providing satisfying alternatives can help reduce the allure of games. Open discussions with children about game usage build trust and create a safe environment for sharing personal experiences. Developing a plan with clear rules for media use in shared spaces and monitoring gaming behavior is essential.

Parents and caregivers should participate in educational programs and campaigns to recognize the risks of excessive gaming and the early signs of problematic behavior. Education in schools and selective prevention, according to King et al. (2018), are promising strategies for preventing game and internet addiction.

These approaches encourage the creation and maintenance of healthy habits and supportive routines and environments. Seeking guidance from professionals can also help deliver necessary support and prevention strategies.

What is the relationship between online gaming and addiction risk?

The relationship between online gaming and addiction risk lies in the structure of games designed to engage players for extended periods. Online games provide an immersive experience with systems linking rewards and progress to time investment, increasing the risk of excessive gaming.

These games are often designed to offer an alternative to real life, with readily accessible yet hard-to-break reward mechanisms that reinforce compulsive behavior. The social context of gaming, including peer pressure and competitive drive, increases the risk of addiction, especially for individuals with personal or environmental risk factors such as psychopathological disorders.

According to Hyun et al. (2015), psychopathological disorders, including ADHD and depression, are the strongest risk factors for online game addiction. These conditions increase the likelihood of developing problematic gaming behavior as gaming is perceived as an escape or coping mechanism.

Compared to other activities, online games present a higher addiction risk due to their interactive and immersive nature, combined with a lack of alternatives offering the same level of reward or escape.

Is game addiction similar to other behavioral addictions?

Yes, game addiction is similar to other behavioral addictions, sharing characteristics such as craving, loss of control, and continuation despite negative consequences. Like gambling addiction, the reward system plays a role, leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, similar to substance addictions.

Despite the absence of physical ingestion, both internet and game addictions cause significant changes in the brain. Neuroimaging studies show these activities activate the same brain centers as drug use and behavioral addictions, supporting their classification as a disorder. The recognition of game addiction as a disorder has led to improved identification and treatment.

According to Weinstein and Lejoyeux (2015), internet and video game addiction can activate similar neural mechanisms to drug addiction, including reduced sensitivity of the dopaminergic reward system.

Treatment options in rehabilitation clinics range from outpatient to inpatient care, depending on the severity of the addiction.

Can a rehabilitation clinic help in treating game addiction?

Yes, a rehabilitation clinic can assist with game addiction by offering a wide range of treatments. Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and family therapy focus on breaking compulsive habits and addressing underlying problems.

Rehabilitation clinics also provide support for coexisting mental health issues such as depression. Choosing a reputable rehabilitation clinic with experienced staff and personalized treatment plans can significantly improve outcomes for individuals struggling with game addiction.

According to Griffiths and Meredith (2009), game addiction affects a small group of players, with frequent players being particularly at risk. Treatment options like support groups, behavioral therapies, 12-step programs, and motivational interviewing are effective.

Rehabilitation clinics offer structured programs, both outpatient sessions and intensive inpatient admissions, tailored to the addiction’s severity.

Are there outpatient and inpatient options for treating game addiction?

Yes, both options are available for game addiction. Outpatient care is suitable for milder cases, while severe addiction may require inpatient admission. Outpatient care offers flexibility, while admission provides intensive, structured support, including aftercare. The choice depends on the severity and personal needs.

Research by Wölfling et al. (2019) shows that short-term treatment for internet and game addiction, a structured CBT program, effectively reduces symptoms and improves psychosocial functioning in males.

Is game addiction recognized worldwide as a mental disorder?

Yes, game addiction is globally recognized as a mental disorder and is included in the ICD-11 as ‘gaming disorder.’ It is characterized by impaired control and harmful consequences. In the US, it remains a subject for further study in the DSM-5.

Research by Krossbakken et al. (2018) demonstrates that pathological gaming is mutually associated with mental health problems and does not spontaneously resolve for many over two years. This supports the need for recognition and treatment of game addiction as a potential mental disorder.

Can game addiction lead to physical health issues?

Yes, game addiction can lead to physical issues such as obesity, posture problems, sleep deprivation, eye and muscle strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and physical inactivity. Personal neglect, migraines, epileptic seizures, and mental health problems can also occur, especially with prolonged and excessive gaming behavior.

Research by Aziz, Nordin, Abdulkadir, and Salih in “Digital Addiction: Systematic Review of Computer Game Addiction Impact on Adolescent Physical Health” (Electronics, 2021; 10) shows that digital addiction in Malaysian adolescents has caused various physical health problems.