GAMING DISORDER

INTRODUCTION:-

Gaming disorder is defined as a pattern of gaming behaviour (digital or video gaming) characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes control over other interests and daily activities, and continuation of gaming despite of the negative consequences. 

For gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the behavioral pattern must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational or occupational or other important areas of functioning, and would normally have been evident for at least 12 months.

@ SHOULD ALL PEOPLE BE CONCERNED ABOUT GAMING DISORDER...?

Studies suggest that only small proportion of people who engage in digital or video gaming activities. However, people who take part in gaming should be aware of the amount of time they spend on gaming activities, particularly when it is to the exclusion of other daily activities, as well as to any changes in their physical or psychological health and social functioning that could be attributed to their pattern of gaming behaviour. 

According to the ICD-11, people with gaming disorder have trouble controlling the amount of time that they spend playing digital or video games. They also prioritize gaming over other activities and experience negative effects from their gaming behaviors.

Signs and Symptoms

According to the WHO’s definition, a person who has gaming disorder will show the following characteristics for at least 12 months:

• lacking control over their gaming habits
• prioritizing gaming over other interests and activities
• continuing gaming despite its negative consequences

For a diagnosis, these behaviors must be so severe that they affect a person’s:

• family life
• social life
• personal life
• education
• work

According to some research, gaming addiction may co-occur with other mood disorders, such as:

• anxiety disorders
• depression
• stress

People who remain physically inactive for extended periods due to gaming may also have a higher risk of obesity, sleep problems, and other health issues.

Addiction to gaming is similar in many ways to other types of addiction. People with the disorder often spend many hours playing games, have a strong emotional attachment to this behavior, and may experience fewer social connections as a result.

As with other addictions, gaming disorder can have a negative impact on family life, relationships, and work or education. This may lead to irritation with those who criticize gaming, or it may cause feelings of guilt.

It’s great to do things you enjoy. But can you go too far with a hobby? And at what point does it become an addiction? That’s the question experts are trying to answer about playing video games.

Signs to Watch For

• Thinking about gaming all or a lot of the time
• Feeling bad when you can’t play
• Needing to spend more and more time playing to feel good
• Not being able to quit or even play less
• Not wanting to do other things that you used to like
• Having problems at work, school, or home because of your gaming
• Playing despite these problems
• Lying to people close to you about how much time you spend playing
• Using gaming to ease bad moods and feelings

Of course, not everyone who plays a lot has a problem with gaming. Some experts say that it’s harmful to label people who might just be very enthusiastic about gaming. One thing they do agree on is that the percentage of players who meet the proposed criteria for addiction to video games is small. It’s estimated to be somewhere between 1% and 9% of all gamers, adults and kids alike. (It’s more common in boys and men than girls and women.)

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Gaming disorder is a new classification, so there is no clear treatment plan . However, it is likely that treatments for other addictive behaviors, such as gambling addiction, will also be relevant for gaming disorder.

Treatment for compulsive gambling may include therapy, medication, and self-help groups.

According to a 2017 study on the treatment of IGD, it may be beneficial to combine several types of treatment. In the study, researchers used the following treatments:

• Psychoeducation. This involves educating the person about gaming behaviors and their effects on mental health.
• Treatment as usual. It is possible to adapt addiction treatment to fit gaming disorder. The treatment focuses on helping the person to control cravings, deal with irrational thoughts, and learn coping skills and problem-solving techniques.
• Intrapersonal. This treatment helps people to explore their identity, build self-esteem, and enhance their emotional intelligence.
• Interpersonal. During this treatment, the individual will learn how to interact with others by working on their communication skills and assertiveness.
• Family intervention. If gaming disorder is negatively affecting relationships with others, family members may need to take part in some aspects of therapy.
• Development of a new lifestyle. To prevent excessive gaming, people should explore their skills and abilities, set goals for themselves, and find activities other than gaming that they enjoy.

This is just one proposed treatment model. It is likely that other researchers will suggest alternative treatments for gaming disorder.

Any co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety and depression, may also require treatment.

Getting Help

Get help from your doctor or therapist -- or your child’s pediatrician, if the person you’re concerned about is your son or daughter -- as soon as you think that gaming time is getting out of hand.

Studies about treating video game addiction are also in the early stages. One therapy that can help is called cognitive behavioral therapy. This is mental health counseling that teaches you how to replace thoughts about gaming to help change behavior.

If you’re the parent of a gamer, a therapist can show you how to place limits on your child’s playing time if you have a hard time saying no. One study found that making parents part of a child’s treatment makes it work better.

Preventing a Gaming Problem

To keep the amount of time spent gaming under control, try these tips for adults and kids alike:

1. Set time limits for play and stick to them.
2. Keep phones and other gadgets out of the bedroom so you won’t play into the night.
3. Do other activities every day, including exercise. This will lower the health risks of sitting and playing for long stretches of time.

No one knows whether certain kinds of games are more likely to lead to problem gaming. For the time being, make sure that your child is only playing games rated for their age.

It may help to start by asking yourself a few questions: Does your video gaming get in the way of other important things in your life, like your relationships, your job, or going to school? Do you feel like you’ve crossed the line between loving to playing and having to play? Might you be using gaming to avoid a deeper problem, like depression?

It can be hard to see a problem in yourself. The amount of time you spend gaming might seem fine to you. But if people close to you say it’s too much, it might be time to think about cutting back.

If you’re a parent who’s concerned about the amount of time your child spends gaming, look at how well they are doing at school and with friends. Having good grades and a good relationship with parents are signs that a child’s video gaming is unlikely to be a problem.

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