Millions of people play video games and go on social media but 1 out of 19 Gamers will be addicted to video games.

Video game addiction also known as gaming disorder is defined as problematic compulsive use of video games. It causes a significant impairment on an individual’s ability to function and varies from person to person.

It is now recognized by the World Health Organization as a mental health condition and needs to be severe enough to cause a significant negative effect on a person’s personal, social, and educational life activities, and should have lasted at least 12 months.

Signs of gaming addiction

• An unusual preoccupation with the idea of getting back online

• Feelings of irritability and restlessness when not playing

• Persistent headaches

• Diminished personal hygiene

• Self- imposed isolation in order to guarantee uninterrupted play.

• Lying about the amount of time spent gaming

• Persistent fatigue due to lack of sleep

Why do people become addicted to gaming?

It should be noted that people enjoy the adrenaline rush of competing for certain tasks, He/she is challenged to move forward to the next level and the gamer is rewarded for beating their opponents or defeating enemies. Rewards build up.

It allows a person to escape reality and you create an environment where you feel safe. And in control.

Gamers often suffer from sleep deprivation and can spend up to 10 hours per day gaming and can often have poor diets consisting of energy drinks and they become malnourished moody and irritable.

What is the treatment for gaming addiction?

Cognitive-behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often used.

The purpose of this is to get the gamer to reduce the amount of time they are gaming and recognize they have addictive behaviour and teach them strategies to prevent future compulsive behaviour.

Also, the aim of treatment is to help the person understand and completely avoid gaming because a small number of people, may go back to the problem if they are susceptible to gaming.

For more information on gaming, disorder visit www.videogameaddiction.co.uk or phone 0800 886 686.