Gaming addiction, including both video and online gaming, was listed as a mental health condition for the first time by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD) in January 2018.
Signs and symptoms of gaming addiction
• Withdrawal symptoms, including anger, depression, feelings of restlessness or irritability.
• Preoccupation with thoughts of previous online activity or anticipation of the next online session.
• Experiencing intense feelings of guilt because of playing.
• Lying to friends or family members about the amount of time spent playing, as well as an inability to cut back on playing hours.
• Losing friends and isolation from others as more time is spent gaming.
• Reckless spending of money on gaming.
• Being so immersed in the gaming that the individual loses touch with reality.
• Losing interest in previously enjoyable activities.
• Fatigue and migraines due to intense concentration or eye strain.
• Falling behind in school and work, and performing poorly.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the overuse of a controller or computer mouse.
• Poor personal hygiene.
Risk factors that could increase the development of addiction include:
• Personality characteristics such as aggressiveness and neuroticism.
• Impulsivity or having a need for adrenaline producing experiences.
• Having a low self-esteem.
• Having depression or anxiety (this may be both a risk factor and a symptom).
• Need to fit in or connect with a family-like system which can be found in the online community.
• Having social anxiety or poor interpersonal skills.
• Individuals hoping to avoid their emotions or emotional experiences.
• Having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
• Being subject to authoritarian parenting styles.
Also read: Trophies or Troubles? What Do Gaming Achievements Mean to You?
When to seek help
The first step to rehabilitation is acknowledging that there is a problem. Family members or friends could also try to determine which needs the addiction fulfils, and to provide more appropriate alternatives.
Discussions around dependency and certain rules around usage should then also be established.
This includes:
• Helping them by choosing suitable games which are still fun.
• Talking about the content of the game and helping them to understand the difference between make-believe and reality.
• Discouraging them from playing alone.
• Guarding against obsessive playing.
• Discussing the possible risks of gaming addiction.
• Ensuring they have other activities to consume their free time.
• Setting limits around mealtimes, homework time and family or bedtime, hoping to establish the idea that gaming is something to do only during play time.
If none of these steps help, professional assistance is advised. This may include individual therapy with a psychologist who has a special interest in addiction. Family therapy is another option, especially if the addict is a child or teenager.
• Information courtesy of Hein Hofmeyr, a clinical psychologist at Akeso Clinic.
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