Video Game Addiction

Video game addiction is a growing problem in modern society.  Teenagers and young adults are usually the ones that develop problems with compulsive gaming.  Teenagers affected could be displaying some of the classic signs of addiction:

•          Needing to play for longer and longer periods of time
•          Becoming angry, irritable or depressed when they cannot play
•          Having intense urges to play
•          Having difficulty sleeping or trouble concentrating
•          Lying about gaming
•          Hiding their gaming
•          Feeling guilty about their gaming
•          Using gaming as a substitute for real life relationships

Gaming difficulties can become more complicated and especially problematic when teenagers become addicted to role playing games or RPGs.  RPGs offer teenagers the allure of a fantasy “reality” in which they are powerful, dominant, accepted and respected.  This can be especially enticing if teenagers do not experience these things in their actual lives.  They can also assume a different identity that may make up for their real identity feeling unstable or unformed.  In fact, these problems tend to be why some teenagers turn to video games in the first place.  It’s an attempt to feel better. 

Counseling can help teenagers to realize the impact that their gaming is having on them and what personal problems it may be covering up.  With more understanding of their video game problem teenagers can begin to change the role that video games play in their lives.  

Click here to read Miami Teen Counseling's blog posts on video games and teenagers. 

By Miguel Brown