Have you ever noticed yourself neglecting chores or social interactions to squeeze in "just one more level" of your favourite video game? This might be a sign of something deeper. In this essay we explores the symptoms and broader impact of gaming addiction, a condition that can be surprisingly easy to overlook.

Gaming addiction is gaining increasing recognition as a significant psychological issue. Research by Yalçin Irmak and Erdoğan (2016) has identified key characteristics, including the inability to control gaming duration, continuing play despite negative consequences, a decline in interest for other activities, and withdrawal symptoms when not playing.

This aligns with Keskin and Aral's (2021) view of gaming addiction as an impulse control disorder, where individuals experience psychological withdrawal symptoms when unable to play. These findings underscore the seriousness of gaming addiction and its potential to disrupt various aspects of life.

Key Symptoms of Gaming Addiction

1. Preoccupation with Gaming: A common symptom of gaming addiction is a persistent preoccupation with the game. Bhatiasevi et al. (2023) highlight that individuals addicted to gaming often think about games even when not playing, disrupting daily routines and other responsibilities. This mental preoccupation can lead to significant negative consequences in academic, social, and family life.

2. Withdrawal Symptoms: Just like other forms of addiction, gaming addiction can result in withdrawal symptoms. Kapahi et al. (2013) and Hu et al. (2017) note that individuals may experience irritability, anxiety, and mood swings when they are unable to play games. This psychological dependence on gaming can exacerbate stress and lead to further emotional distress.

3. Loss of Interest in Other Activities: Addicted gamers often lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. This disengagement from hobbies and social activities is a significant indicator of gaming addiction. Hao (2023) points out that using games as a means to escape real-world pressures can result in a reduction of meaningful real-life interactions.

4. Continuing to Play Despite Negative Consequences: Gaming addicts frequently continue to play even when it leads to adverse effects. Whether it's academic performance decline, strained relationships, or physical health issues, the compulsion to keep playing overrides the negative outcomes. Che et al. (2017) emphasize that this persistence despite knowing the harmful consequences is a hallmark of addiction.

5. Dishonesty and Social Withdrawal: Those addicted to gaming may lie about the amount of time they spend playing games and withdraw from social interactions. Kapahi et al. (2013) highlight that dishonesty about gaming habits and increased social isolation are common among gaming addicts.

Parallels with Other Forms of Addiction

The similarities between gaming addiction and other types of addiction are striking. Hahn et al. (2014) draw parallels between excessive gaming and substance abuse, noting that both involve a significant reward deficiency and compulsive behaviour patterns. This comparison underscores the need to recognize gaming addiction as a legitimate disorder, as argued by Hao (2023).

The Broader Impact of Gaming Addiction

The broader impact of gaming addiction extends to mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Abbasi et al. (2021) link video game addiction to increasing signs of these psychological issues, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment approaches. Mohammad et al. (2023) further define video game addiction as the frequent and repetitive use of the Internet to play games, leading to negative consequences in various life domains.

Addressing and Treating Gaming Addiction

Understanding the symptoms of gaming addiction is crucial for early detection and intervention. Recognizing signs such as preoccupation with games, withdrawal from social activities, and using games to escape reality can help in addressing the problem effectively. Dewar et al. (2016) suggest that serious gamers are more likely to exhibit signs of addiction due to their high level of engagement with games, emphasizing the importance of monitoring gaming habits.

Simply Put

Gaming addiction is a complex issue characterized by various symptoms, including preoccupation with games, withdrawal symptoms, loss of interest in other activities, and continuing to play despite negative consequences. Recognizing these signs and understanding the parallels with other forms of addiction are essential steps in addressing and treating gaming addiction effectively.

References

Abbasi, A., Rehman, U., Afaq, Z., Rafeh, M., Hlavacs, H., Mamun, M., … & Shah, M. (2021). Predicting video game addiction through the dimensions of consumer video game engagement: quantitative and cross-sectional study. Jmir Serious Games, 9(4), e30310. https://doi.org/10.2196/30310

Bhatiasevi, V., Rukumnuaykit, P., & Pholphirul, P. (2023). Online gaming addiction and quality of life among early adolescents in Thailand: an investigation from a SEM-neural network approach. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2023, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7898600

Che, D., Hu, J., Zhen, S., Yu, C., Bin, L., Xi, C., … & Zhang, W. (2017). Dimensions of emotional intelligence and online gaming addiction in adolescence: the indirect effects of two facets of perceived stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01206

Dewar, A., Denues, K., & Szalma, J. (2016). Motivation is important in game-based memory recall. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 60(1), 1140-1144. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931213601267

Hahn, T., Notebaert, K., Dresler, T., Kowarsch, L., Reif, A., & Fallgatter, A. (2014). Linking online gaming and addictive behavior: converging evidence for a general reward deficiency in frequent online gamers. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00385

Hao, W. (2023). A review on the evaluation of video game addiction as a legitimate disorder. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 11(03), 410-417. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2023.113029

Hu, J., Zhen, S., Yu, C., Zhang, Q., & Zhang, W. (2017). Sensation seeking and online gaming addiction in adolescents: a moderated mediation model of positive affective associations and impulsivity. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00699

Kapahi, A., Ling, C., Ramadass, S., & Abdullah, N. (2013). Internet addiction in Malaysia: causes and effects. Ibusiness, 05(02), 72-76. https://doi.org/10.4236/ib.2013.52009

Keskin, A. & Aral, N. (2021). Game addiction: a current review. Bağımlılık Dergisi, 22(3), 327-339. https://doi.org/10.51982/bagimli.880679

Mohammad, S., Jan, R., & Alsaedi, S. (2023). Symptoms, mechanisms, and treatments of video game addiction. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.36957