Addictive behaviors|Video gaming – CBT Kenya

Video game addiction is an impulse control disorder that is similar to gambling addiction. The excessive and compulsive game playing impacts negatively on the player’s life on a day to day basis. Anyone who has experienced it knows all too well, video game addiction is real. People of all ages, especially teens and pre-teens, are facing very real, sometimes severe consequences. Most kids play video games and enjoy them and it’s just one of the things they enjoy doing. But for 1 out of 10 kids, it is a problem.

Signs and symptoms of video game addiction

While many parents would like to think their kids are addicted to video games, not everyone who plays a lot of video games is actually addicted. Furthermore, not only teenagers are active players of video games. A big chunk of the percentage include adults who are over 30 years old. Addiction can be diagnosed after some characteristics become apparent. Some of these traits include:

• Preoccupation with playing video games, such as thinking or obsessing about previous gaming sessions or future gaming sessions.
• Feeling the urge to play video games for longer periods of time to achieve euphoria and satisfaction
• Being unable to control, reduce, or stop the act of playing video games
• Feeling moody, restless, depressed, or irritable when trying to reduce or stop gaming
• Playing video games for longer than originally intended
• Having jeopardized or risked your job, education, or a significant relationship due to gaming

Negative effects of video game addiction

Be aware of the effects of a video game compulsion to keep your child’s hobby in check. He shouldn’t be getting anymore than two hours of screen time per day and this includes time playing games, watching television and surfing the Internet, according to HealthyChildren.org

• Video games that feature violent actions and scenarios may lead addicted players to be desensitized to the violence.
• Long hours playing video games can negatively affect your child’s performance in school if he’s preoccupied with video games. He can fail to work at his optimum level because he’s exhausted from a late night of video game playing.
• Relationships with friends and family members may suffer if your spending more time gaming.
• Children who spend more than two hours a day in front of a television or video games instead of participating in physical activity may suffer from childhood obesity.

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.

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 he or she is 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.

Word from CBT Kenya

At CBT Kenya, we have friendly yet professional psychologists who are ready to have a talk with you. We encourage you to find out more about our services. We welcome any questions. Any questions related to psychotherapy, counselling, and psychology services are welcomed. Our purpose is to help you to achieve your therapeutic and life goals, to improve the quality of your life and to help you to build strong relationships in your life. Get in touch or book an appointment on +254 739 935 333, +254 756 454 585 or info@cbtkenya.org.