Signs to recognize game addicts

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by MSc Nguyen Thanh Long - Psychiatric Consultant, Psychological Clinic - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Game addiction can happen continuously or in stages. Symptoms must last for at least 12 months. If symptoms are sufficiently severe, the patient may be diagnosed earlier.

1. Signs of game addiction

In the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 11), updated in May, WHO includes video game addiction as a group of mental disorders characterized by persistent play behaviour. , recurring, whether online or offline.
Accordingly, three typical signs of game addiction in a person include:
Difficulty controlling the level of gaming (such as frequency, intensity, time, context); even lose control over the game play. For example, children cannot escape the temptation to play games, decide to play games or not, when to stop,... Prioritize playing games over other daily activities: Game addicts increase their priority for gaming. Video games take precedence over other life interests and routines. Even children addicted to online games tend to postpone urgent things, such as homework deadlines, exam revisions, etc. Continue or play games more and more, regardless of the appearance of consequences. negative.

2. Consequences of game addiction

Currently, game addiction, especially online game addiction among young people is increasing, leading to many negative effects on a person's life. In addition to taking away people's time and energy, online games also have a direct impact on changing emotions and thoughts of individuals and affecting other aspects of social life.
In terms of health Sleep disorders: People addicted to online games may not sleep all day or sleep very little, the number of hours of sleep in a day is only about 3-4 hours, causing fatigue, irritability, boredom, loss of strength. living. Loss of appetite, eating less or losing weight, declining health: Due to addiction to online games, eating very erratically or eating very little. Weight loss, poor health, exhaustion and fatigue are very common in patients addicted to online games. Psychomotor Activity Disorders: Psychomotor changes include agitation, slow movements, slowness in communication, low voice, low volume, poor content, even no speech. Memory disorders: Short-term memory loss, long-term memory is still relatively well maintained for a long time. Mentally Feeling lonely, irritable and depressed, feeling worthless or guilty. Wrong perception of the value of life: Being too immersed in an online game makes the images in the game deeply imprinted in the mind, even the patient considers it as the direction for his life. Delusions or multiple personalities if the player is overly immersive. Delusions can lead to horrible, bizarre behavior in public relations and tend to be more aggressive and violent.

Social aspects Relationships in life become tedious and difficult because game addicts are increasingly detached from reality, less related to their real life. The decrease in communication with friends around, less interest in family life. Neglecting schoolwork and daily tasks, children's academic performance declines, adults may even lose their jobs and break social relationships. Game addiction is a disease, belonging to the group of subjects with disorders. However, once addicted to the game and deeply encroached on the virtual world, it is very difficult for players to get out. Therefore, game addicts need a lot of attention and support from relatives and family to be able to get rid of this situation. Families with young children who are addicted to online games should not be impatient, shouting or shouting, hitting and scolding children. Instead, the right attention, the right way will help children more.

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