Games offer a refuge from the stress and monotony of daily life—a vibrant world where achievements are clear, and effort is rewarded instantly. This sense of accomplishment, combined with the social connections formed in multiplayer environments, can be incredibly satisfying.
It’s the very design of these games that often makes them addictive. The use of leveling systems, rewards for achievements, and the endless pursuit of the next goal can create a loop that constantly demands just “one more try.” The intermittent rewards, much like a slot machine, keep players coming back.
A Recognized Disorder
Gaming addiction, now officially recognized as a disorder by the World Health Organization (WHO), has sparked significant attention from the medical community, policymakers, and the public. This recognition was formalized in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in 2018, acknowledging the severity and reality of the issue faced by a growing number of individuals worldwide.
Gaming disorder is characterized by a pattern of behavior that dominantly includes a loss of control over gaming activities, an increased priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over daily interests and responsibilities, and the continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
To be diagnosed with gaming disorder, individuals must demonstrate significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. These behaviors should be evident over a period of at least 12 months to ensure a diagnosis is not prematurely applied to what might be episodic or short-term behaviors.
The inclusion of gaming disorder in ICD-11 serves several vital purposes. It helps people suffering from the condition to seek and receive appropriate care and intervention. With an official diagnosis, healthcare providers can better understand, recognize, and treat those affected, offering targeted therapies that address the unique challenges of gaming addiction.
For the vast majority, gaming remains a fun, engaging, and socially connecting activity. Gaming disorder is intended to identify and help a small portion of gamers who experience significant harm and disruption to their lives due to their gaming activities.
Understanding the Science
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, often associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, and is released in response to rewarding activities. Dopamine levels increase when a player achieves a goal, conquers a challenge, or receives in-game rewards and recognition. This surge in dopamine creates a feeling of enjoyment and compels the player to repeat the behavior.
The brain’s reward system adapts to these increased levels of dopamine, leading to changes in the brain’s chemistry and function. This can result in players requiring more time spent gaming or seeking more intense gaming experiences to achieve the same ‘high’ or sense of satisfaction they once felt, a hallmark of addiction.
Research has shown that excessive gaming can lead to structural and functional changes in the brain. Areas affected include those responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. These changes can exacerbate the difficulty individuals face when trying to reduce or stop gaming, despite negative consequences.
The instant feedback and rapid rewards offered by games can alter expectation patterns, affecting how individuals respond to rewards and challenges in everyday life. This can lead to decreased sensitivity to slower-paced rewards outside of gaming, such as completing homework or succeeding in a job, which often requires more prolonged effort and does not provide immediate gratification.
Online games provide a platform for social interaction, allowing players to form connections and gain social recognition within the gaming community. For some people, especially those who may feel isolated or marginalized in their physical lives, these virtual relationships can become more appealing and significant than real-world interactions. The sense of belonging and achievement gained from gaming can fulfill psychological needs in ways that real-life scenarios may not, making it harder for individuals to disengage from the gaming world.
Individual differences in personality, coping mechanisms, and underlying psychological conditions can influence susceptibility to gaming addiction. People with high impulsivity, low self-esteem, or those experiencing anxiety and depression may turn to gaming as a form of escape or self-medication, increasing the risk of developing an addiction.
Managing Gaming Addiction
Setting clear limits on gaming time might involve establishing specific hours during which gaming is allowed and ensuring that gaming does not interfere with important activities such as sleep, work, or school. It’s helpful to take regular breaks during gaming sessions to reduce the intensity of engagement and to remind the individual to participate in other activities.
Physical exercise, hobbies, skills development, and social activities can fulfill the needs that individuals may be attempting to meet through gaming, such as stress relief, achievement, and social interaction. Encouraging participation in group activities can help build real-world social connections, reducing the reliance on virtual relationships for social fulfillment.
Mental health professionals, particularly those specializing in addiction, can provide counseling or therapy to address the underlying issues contributing to the addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be especially effective in treating behavioral addictions, including gaming addiction, by helping individuals identify and change the thought patterns and behaviors that sustain their addiction.
Loved ones can offer encouragement, monitor gaming behavior, and provide accountability, which can be incredibly motivating for someone trying to reduce their gaming time. In some situations, family counseling may be beneficial to address conflicts or communication issues arising from the gaming addiction.
Various digital tools and apps are available to help manage and monitor gaming behavior. These tools can block access to games during certain times, track the amount of time spent gaming, and provide reminders to take breaks or engage in other activities. Digital tools can complement other strategies by providing a structure to help manage gaming time.
Awareness campaigns, educational programs, and resources can equip individuals, families, and communities with the knowledge to recognize the signs of gaming addiction and to take early action to address it.
Capturing the attention and time of millions worldwide, excessive gaming can lead to a decrease in productivity and engagement in societal activities. Acknowledging and addressing gaming disorders is important in fostering healthier individuals and communities.