What to do when your child is addicted to games?

This is an automatically translated article.

Video game addiction is a mental condition that belongs to a group of disorders caused by addictive behaviors. The disorder seriously affects a child's life. Parents need to take measures to deal with when their children show signs of game addiction.

1. Children's expression when addicted to games

Diagnostic criteria for internet addiction include loss of control over internet use, obvious distressing consequences (because of not being able to use the internet), lethargy, mood swings, incompatibility, cravings Using computers to play games, reducing communication with people around, reducing working ability and poor learning results. A person is considered addicted to games when playing for more than 6 hours/day and not using the internet to study for more than 6 months.

2. Consequences of game addiction

Internet addiction may be a cause of increased suicide attempts if a child addicted to video games is depressed. In addition, the researchers also showed a clear association between internet addiction and mental disorders such as depression, suicidal behavior, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, alcohol abuse and use of addictive substances.
The results of studies have shown that long-term internet use can lead to a decrease in dopamine transporters that cause dopamine pooling in neuronal clefts. As a result, too much dopamine stimulates adjacent neurons leading to increased pleasure and excitement.
Decreased levels of dopamine transporters occur in cases of substance use and other addictive behaviors. Internet addiction also reduces feelings of loss of money. It can thus instil indifference from children about their behavior, leading to psychological, social and employment difficulties.
To date, brain imaging studies have demonstrated alterations in brain structure and function in subjects at risk of internet addiction.

3. What to do when children are addicted to games?

Take your child to the doctor for advice. Parents can compare these questions with their child and see a doctor to accurately determine the child's medical condition.
Does the child feel he or she needs to cut back on playing games? Does your child feel uncomfortable receiving criticism from playing games? Does your child ever feel that playing games is a bad thing to do? Are games the first thing children think of when they wake up in the morning? Has there been a negative psychological change since you started this habit? Does the child find himself/herself reduced in social relationships – losing touch with friends and family? Does your child's performance at school or at work decline with no other explanation? In addition, parents need to explain to children to have an overview of mental disorders acquired when playing games too much. When explaining, parents need to combine the harms and benefits of playing games. Children should not be too restrictive, because usually the more they ban the more they want to explore.
Parents should also regularly monitor their child's behavior changes. Call or see a doctor immediately if you see any unusual symptoms.

Psychological clinic at Vinmec Times City International Hospital went into operation in April 2019 with the function of examining, consulting and outpatient treatment of psychological and mental health problems, especially is for psychological problems in children and adolescents by implementing psychological tests, intensive psychotherapy.
The clinic has modern equipment and a team of doctors who are lecturers from Hanoi Medical University, capable of performing psychological tests and intensive psychotherapy.
MSc. Doctor Nguyen Van Phi - Psychology Specialist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 07 years of experience working as a lecturer at Hanoi Medical University and a member of the Vietnam Psychiatric Association Male. MSc. Doctor Pham Thanh Luan - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 05 years of experience in researching, examining and treating diseases of the Psychology specialty, trained at prestigious universities trust, practice in-depth expertise in the French Republic. MSc. Doctor Nguyen Trong Hien - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 06 years as a lecturer in Psychology - Hanoi Medical University and the Central Geriatric Hospital with the same experience Researching, examining and treating diseases under the specialty of Psychology such as: Emotional disorders, Stress related disorders and body dysmorphic disorders, developmental disorders in children, adolescents & childbearing period. ...

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