The increasing popularity of video games has led to concerns about the negative effects of excessive gaming, particularly gaming addiction. Gaming addiction is the excessive and compulsive use of video games that has negative consequences on an individual’s physical, social, and mental well-being. Studies have shown that excessive gaming can lead to physical consequences such as obesity, poor eyesight, and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as social isolation and poor academic/work performance. Professional gamers have been found to exhibit neural responses comparable to substance users’ cue-related urges, and playing violent video games can lead to aggressive behavior in children and adolescents. Treatment for gaming addiction involves a combination of behavioral and cognitive approaches.
Gaming Addiction: Concerns and Research Findings
Introduction
With the increasing popularity of video games, concerns have arisen about the negative effects of excessive gaming. One of the most pressing issues is gaming addiction, which has been recognized as a psychological disorder by the World Health Organization since 2018. In this article, we will discuss the concerns surrounding gaming addiction and the latest research findings.
What is Gaming Addiction?
Gaming addiction is the excessive and compulsive use of video games, which leads to negative consequences on an individual’s physical, social, and mental well-being. The symptoms of gaming addiction include the following:
- Continuously thinking about video games even when not playing
- Playing video games for extended periods, risking social or academic/work obligations
- Feeling withdrawal symptoms when not playing video games
- Tolerance – needing to play for longer periods or with greater intensity to achieve the same level of satisfaction
- Playing video games even when aware of its negative consequences.
The Concern of Gaming Addiction
While gaming addiction is a relatively new phenomenon, the negative effects of excessive gaming have been well documented. Studies have shown that excessive gaming can lead to physical consequences such as obesity, poor eyesight, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Moreover, it can have a significant impact on an individual’s social and academic/work life. Excessive gaming can lead to social isolation, poor academic performance, and difficulty holding down a job.
Research Findings
A recent study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, analyzed the gaming habits of more than 1,000 players of the popular game “Starcraft II.” The study found that professional gamers exhibit neural responses during game-related cue reactivity that are comparable to substance users’ cue-related urges. It also revealed that addicts tend to play to distract themselves from their negative mood states, indicating self-medication through gaming.
Another study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that playing violent video games leads to aggressive behavior in children and adolescents. The study found that playing violent video games increases physiological arousal, such as heart rate, and may trigger aggressive thoughts and feelings.
Treatment for Gaming Addiction
The treatment for gaming addiction involves a combination of behavioral and cognitive approaches. These approaches include therapy sessions, support group meetings, and family therapy. A growing number of treatment centers offer specialized programs for gaming addiction, providing a range of interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and motivational enhancement therapy.
Conclusion
Gaming addiction is a growing concern with significant negative impacts on an individual’s physical, social, and mental well-being. While research is ongoing, the available findings indicate that excessive gaming can lead to physical, social, and academic/work complications. It is crucial to seek professional help if you believe you have a gaming addiction. There are treatment facilities and therapies that can provide support and help overcome this increasingly prevalent problem.