How to STOP Video Game Addiction: Strategies & Support
Published:
Nov 25, 2024
,
07:53 p.m.
ET
Gaming addiction is a real disorder. Some individuals struggle with this behavioral addiction, regardless of age or gender. They find that it can be hard to reduce the time spent playing games. In some cases, it became the main focus of a person's life. This can lead to negative outcomes and decreased mental health.
You might be wondering how to quit your video game addiction. In some cases, treatment for video game addiction could help. This guide will provide strategies and support options.
What is Video Game Addiction? Is it real?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), video game addiction is a real disorder. It was added as an official diagnosis in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This classification allowed mental health providers to offer treatment for video game addiction.
Thankfully, the stigma associated with this condition shifted over the years. It's being taken more seriously. However, video game addiction isn't treated like drug or alcohol use disorder. That's because the signs aren't noticeable at first. Individuals can enjoy playing video games for hours, but that might not mean they have an addiction.
Video games become a problem when they override everything in a person’s life, including their social life and career. It develops into an addiction when the individual is obsessed with gaming. An official diagnosis happens when gaming negatively affects a person’s life.
An official diagnosis is necessary for treatment. However, the individual must have experienced emotional, mental, and physical fallout in the past 12 months. If diagnosed, the individual would be referred to a licensed clinician or counselor.
Healthcare providers and mental health professionals use the DSM-5 to provide an official diagnosis. They examine the individual's video gaming habits, family history, medical history, and mental health history.
Experts have determined that more research is required to explore the cause of video game addiction. There's no one reason for this disorder. But it can be a cause of the dopamine that's released while playing the game. Dopamine gives the individual a sense of joy, euphoria, or relaxation.
How is video game addiction treated?
Psychotherapy is recommended for the treatment of video game addiction. This type of talk therapy helps individuals identify their triggers and compulsive habits. They'll speak to a licensed mental health professional who offers guidance and support. Counseling sessions might also be available for family members or partners who were affected by the individual's video game addiction.
One form of therapy used is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Individuals better understand the reasons behind their thoughts and behaviors that cause their addiction. The mental health professional will help uncover any unhealthy coping mechanisms and develop healthier ones.
Some individuals who receive treatment for video game addiction might also benefit from support groups. This type of therapy allows members to share their experiences and offer encouragement. Group therapy offers support for those who feel alone in their addiction.
Birches Health is an online platform that offers virtual therapy for video game addiction. It incorporates all the above-mentioned therapies. Treatments starts with a self-assessment.
From there, a mental health professional will diagnose them. Licensed clinicians are knowledgeable in the areas of video game addiction and other mental health disorders.
There are several ways to get started with video game addiction treatment from Birches Health:
You can also just call 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com to connect with the Birches team right away.
Avoiding withdrawal during the video game addiction treatment process
It's possible to experience withdrawal symptoms when quitting video game addiction. These symptoms aren't similar to the ones felt during drug or alcohol use disorder. However, it can cause other mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, or stress.
This is because the individual uses video games to cope with emotional problems. Playing video games can also help with low self-esteem or insecurity. The individual might feel powerful when playing video games. However, it can lead to poor emotional and mental health.
During the withdrawal process, the individual might experience a dopamine detox.
Signs of video gaming addiction
The psychological factors of video game addiction are a combination of cognitive, emotional, and mental health symptoms.
There's no single cause for video game addiction. The individual could exhibit more than one symptom. Individuals need to be aware of these signs as soon as gaming affects their lives.
Video game addiction can have emotional, mental, and physical warning signs and symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms included the following:
Increased feelings of anxiety or depression. Video game addiction can cause some individuals to feel depressed or anxious. While they can provide a temporary escape, they can also worsen mental health symptoms.
Experience with anhedonia. A loss of interest in normal activities and hobbies is known as anhedonia. Individuals might not want to spend time with family or friends or do activities they once enjoyed.
Increased mood disorders. Experience with anger, frustration, hostility, and other mood swings. That's because the addiction is caused by the change in the brain's chemicals.
Increased interest in gaming. The individual can become so preoccupied or obsessed with gaming that it overrides everything else. Like gambling, they might "chase losses" or spend money to win.
How prevalent is gaming addiction?
There's a big range of U.S. adults who are affected by video game addiction. Research has shown the numbers are between 1.7% and 10%. The cause for this range in video game statistics is that there are varying opinions about whether video game addiction is a real disorder. The DSM-5 recognizes internet game disorder, which includes video game addiction.
Also, video game addiction isn't self-reported like other behavioral and substance addictions. Most individuals are ashamed to admit they have a problem. There are still assumptions about video game addiction like that it affects more males than females.
But that couldn't be further from the truth. Research has shown that this behavioral disorder doesn't discriminate when it comes to gender, sex, or age. It can happen to anyone, at any given time.
According to this research, video games attract 18- to 34-year-olds in the United States. The most common age of a video gamer is 32 years old. Female video gaming culture has exploded in Asia. Seventy-six percent of girls play video games compared to 96% of boys.
