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While there is no official diagnosis for video game addiction, those who have suffered the consequences of obsessive gaming believe that this addiction is definitely as real as it gets, and many treatment professionals would have to agree. Video game addiction, though relatively new, has swept in to take over the lives of children and adults, causing undue hardship, hazardous conditions and a wealth of problems for those involved.
Video game addiction symptoms, although not clearly defined as of yet, are beginning to become more and more prevalent in children, teens and adults alike. An individual who shows even just a few signs of addictive behaviors when it comes to playing video games either online, on television or on a phone should consider seeking professional help. Video game addiction is progressive and like other addictions, will become more pronounced and difficult to control over time.
Some of the most common video game addiction symptoms have been outlined below:
Being Preoccupied with Video Games
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Playing video games occasionally is not necessarily bad for one’s health; in fact, people generally enjoy playing video games. However, when playing video games takes over and distorts thinking causing the gamer to become preoccupied with all things related to gaming there is a problem. Video game addiction symptoms are often difficult to spot at first sight, but for someone to compulsive think about gaming and to have a disinterest in other activities (especially those which were once considered fun) is a sure sign that help is needed.
Tolerance
Like any addiction, one of the most common video game addiction symptoms is called tolerance. Tolerance is the perceived need for an individual to play more and more games in order to be satisfied. The gamer may make excuses in order to get more game time, he or she may spend hours playing games and as time goes on, the individual will find that he or she spends more and more time playing and less and less time being involved in other activities.
Losing Track of Time
Video game addiction symptoms, like the symptoms of other types of addiction, often revolve around the individual’s lack of control when it comes to a particular behavior. For an individual who is addicted to video games, there is often a time loss that comes with playing. The individual may say he or she will only play for an hour and then wind up playing for 6 hours or he or she may make a commitment to get off the game console or computer in 30 minutes and wind up spending hours playing.
Agitation or Anxiety
For most video game addicts, the symptoms of video game addiction go much deeper than simply being unable to control gaming or to keep track of time. Agitation and anxiety are both very common amongst gamers, especially if their gaming time is cut short or if they cannot game at all. You may notice that your teen gets mad at you if you make him or her do something besides play video games or that there is anxiety when away from the game console. These are two very common video game addiction symptoms and they are symptoms that can require professional help.
Overspending on Video Games
While overspending on gaming items is not usually a problem for children who do not have control over their money, for adults who suffer from video game addiction, overspending is a common problem. Many adults who are addicted to video games may spend money that they really don’t have, essentially gambling their money away, on video games. Spending bill money, savings or money that is not for recreational use on video games is a sure sign that there is a deeper problem.
Additional Video Game Addiction Symptoms
There are actually many symptoms of video game addiction which may or may not be present in each gamer. For some, the symptoms are mostly emotional while for others the symptoms begin to embark on a physical downfall. For instance, many video game addicts will have a lack in caring for themselves and may not eat properly which can lead to various adverse health effects including obesity or weight loss. Additional video game addiction symptoms include:
- Lack of interest in school or work
- Becoming angry at video games or when not allowed to play
- Suffering from bouts of depression when unable to play
- Having dreams or uncontrollable thoughts about gaming
- Downplaying the video game addiction or making excuses
- Losing control of video game playing
- Irregular eating habits
- Headaches
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Inability to quit gaming even when you try
- Eating meals while playing a game or eating very quickly in order to get back to a game
- Chatting about video games excessively when you cannot play the game
- Playing video games for more than 8 hours at a time
Resources:
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun