Gaming Addiction: Here Are The Warning Signs To Look Out For

Date: Thursday 13 Jan 2022

A gaming addiction, if it is ever identified, is nothing to scoff at. This is especially true given the state of the gaming industry as a whole. It is set to grow to a whopping $256.97 billion by 2025 (according to TechJury), owing to the medium's widespread popularity worldwide.

 By RJ Pierce, Tech Times

Anybody can be addicted to games. It doesn't matter what age, gender, or other demographics one falls into. Fortunately, it's easy to spot the symptoms if you know what to look for. This will be the purpose of this guide.

Gaming Addiction 101: Categorising The Signs

Addictions.com classifies the symptoms of video game addiction into different categories. Here are the most critical ones to watch out for, if you want to ensure that the afflicted individual gets much-needed help.

Physical

- Poor personal hygiene: If an individual spends way too much time playing video games, they will more often than not let themselves go. They shower far less often and basically neglect grooming.
- Bodily issues: Playing video games mostly involves sitting down for hours. This will definitely affect the person's physical health, as evidenced by symptoms such as red eyes from eye strain (from looking at a screen too long), sore muscles in the hands, back and neck pain, and even headaches.

 Psychological

- Withdrawal: Anyone who has an addiction will exhibit anger and frustration whenever they can't indulge in it. If you see any hint of aggressiveness when the person can't play games, that's one of the sure-fire signs.
- Mood swings: When the person's mood seems to switch instantaneously from being cranky to calm whenever they're playing video games, that is another clear sign. This can be more prominent in children and teenagers, and will also link back to withdrawal.

Social

- Relationship conflicts: Video game addiction will involve the person basically thinking that gaming is all there is in their life, and that anything-even relationships-outside of it don't matter. This is evident in increasing conflict when an afflicted individual is confronted about their habits.
Read Also: The 10 Most Anticipated Video Games Releasing In 2022

Video Game Addiction Is An Official Mental Health Problem

Back in 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) finally classified video game addiction as an actual mental disorder. As such, those who suffer from it require medical intervention.

AmericanAddictionCenters.org writes that being addicted to video games can be classified as a type of impulse control disorder. This means the activity triggers an impulse in the individual through constant repetition because they know they'll receive some reward.

The "reward" that they get, while still unconfirmed, could be the constant release of dopamine. This brain chemical's purpose is to improve mood and give some "rush," which is considered pleasurable. People with an addiction keep indulging in their vices because they know they'll feel good by doing so. Real life, in comparison, is dull and can sometimes be downright stressful.

If you know somebody who is exhibiting these symptoms, do everything you can to get them professional help.

Content source: Tech Times, https://www.techtimes.com/articles/270292/20220109/gaming-addiction-signs.htm