Addictive games start out as fun, but if you have a video game addiction, the games control you and it becomes a compulsive behavior -- and it's not fun any more.
Just like any other addiction video game addiction has specific symptoms.
Psychological symptoms of computer addiction
You feel ‘amazing’ when you’re on the computer.
You can’t stop playing
You neglect family and friends
You crave more time on the computer.
You feel empty, depressed, and irritable when you’re not playing addictive games
You lie about gaming.
Physical symptoms of a computer addiction
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Migraine headaches
Irregular eating: skipping meals etc.
Lack of hygiene
Sleep problems
Obsessive thinking of playing
After reading these symptoms ask yourself if you have a
Find out if you have a computer addiction and get tips to stop. Just like any other addiction video game addiction has specific symptoms.
Psychological symptoms of computer addiction
You feel ‘amazing’ when you’re on the computer.
You can’t stop playing
You neglect family and friends
You crave more time on the computer.
You feel empty, depressed, and irritable when you’re not playing addictive games
You lie about gaming.
Physical symptoms of a computer addiction
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Migraine headaches
Irregular eating: skipping meals etc.
Lack of hygiene
Sleep problems
Obsessive thinking of playing
After reading these symptoms ask yourself if you have a
computer addiction
And like any other addiction, the first thing you have to do is get rid of your
twisted thinking
and break your denial.
Tips to break video game addiction
1) Admit there is a problem and tell others about it.
2) Ask yourself, if you are addicted to a particular game or is it any game?
3) Figure out what causes you to play addictive games. Ex: when you’re around certain people, at particular website? These are your triggers to play and you should avoid them. They give you cravings.
4) Wean yourself off a video game addiction gradually.
5) Time yourself. If you play on the computer 22 hours a week, cut down to 19 or so. Keep at it, and fill your time with the activities that you’ve been avoiding.
Don’t be hard on yourself. Like any addiction, you will relapse and go back to your old behavior. Don’t be discouraged, just get back on track, and stick to your goal to cut down and eventually stop altogether.
There are no 12-step recovery programs for computer addiction, however, because this is a growing problem which affects more and more young people, I’m sure that there will be. Sometimes medication for anxiety is helpful, as well as
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
and
coaching for addictive games
can help you or someone you know get back on track.
Do you think you have
an addictive personality?
You may be one of those people who are more likely to develop a compulsive behavior.
Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?
Click on the HTML link code below.
Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment,
your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.