Video Game Addiction
Has your relationship with gaming become something which feels less and less in your control? Are you finding it hard to concentrate and be present in other areas of your life? Do you continue to use video gaming despite its negative impacts on your relationships and life?
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The computer industry has developed hugely in recent years, and advances in technology bring, without doubt, many positives to the advancement and development of individuals and societies globally, whether in the gaming industry or elsewhere. Though most people can enjoy the joys of gaming, for some, it becomes a relationship that becomes a Video Game Addiction, making it difficult to be present in other aspects of your life.
Enjoyment and Connection, But When Does This Become Video Game Addiction?
Gaming can be a wonderful source of enjoyment, offering opportunities for creativity, stress release, and social connection. The feeling of accomplishment in a game, the chance to explore new worlds, or the camaraderie of online teammates can be genuinely fulfilling. However, for some, the line between healthy engagement and overwhelming preoccupation can become blurred. This is where it’s important to understand ‘internet gaming disorder’ and how it can impact various aspects of life
Imagine spending hours gaming, neglecting important relationships or responsibilities. These are potential consequences of gaming when it starts to control, rather than enhance your life.
Are You Experiencing a Challenging Relationship with Gaming?
- Recognising the signs of a problematic relationship with gaming is crucial. Ask yourself:
- Have you lost interest in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed?
- Do you struggle to engage with family and friends or fulfil your work commitments?
- Do you feel restless or uneasy when you’re not gaming?
- Do you find yourself gaming for longer than intended or hiding the extent of your gaming from others?
- Are you using gaming as a way to manage emotions or avoid challenges?
These experiences are not a sign of weakness but may indicate a deeper need for support. You are not alone, and help is available to regain balance and control.
Understanding the Pull of Gaming and Finding a Healthier Path
Games are designed to be engaging and rewarding, offering instant feedback and a sense of accomplishment. The excitement and structure they provide can be particularly appealing in a fast-paced world.
Leone Centre provides a safe and non-judgemental environment to explore your relationship with gaming. Through therapy, you can:
- Understand the emotions and triggers that drive your gaming habits.
- Explore how gaming might be fulfilling certain needs or helping you manage stress.
- Develop ways to bring balance back into your life and reconnect with meaningful activities and relationships.
Rediscovering Balance and Purpose with Leone Centre
Leone Centre believes in the potential for change. Therapy isn’t about eliminating gaming altogether, but about finding its rightful place within a broader context of connection, purpose, and meaning. Reaching out for support is the first step towards reclaiming your time and energy and creating a more fulfilling life.
Take that step today. Contact Leone Centre for a collaborative journey towards a healthier relationship with gaming.
At Leone Centre, we can help you understand your relationship with gaming, the thoughts, feelings, triggers and emotions connected to impulses, urges and out-of-control relationships with gaming, alongside productive and constructive ways to manage your behavioural and psychological health, including stress and anxiety.
As with any behavioural addiction, we know you can recover – no matter how long you have struggled. We also know that there is not something wrong with you but you have likely suffered significant stress and/or trauma at some point in your life.
FAQs
How can I recognise if my gaming habits are becoming a problem?
It can be challenging to determine when gaming crosses the line from a fun activity to a concerning habit. Some signs to look for include:
- Loss of Interest: You might find yourself losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, like spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in your work.
- Relationship and Work Challenges: Excessive gaming can lead to difficulties in maintaining relationships and fulfilling work responsibilities. You might find yourself arguing more frequently with loved ones, neglecting important duties, or struggling to meet deadlines.
- Emotional Dependence: Gaming can become a way to manage emotions or avoid challenges. You may rely on gaming to escape stress, anxiety, or boredom rather than addressing the underlying issues.
- Time Distortion: You might consistently spend more time gaming than intended, finding it hard to stop even when you have other obligations. This can disrupt sleep schedules, affect physical health, and lead to a feeling of being out of control.
What kind of help does Leone Centre offer for individuals struggling with gaming?
Leone Centre offers a supportive and confidential space to explore your relationship with gaming in therapy. The therapists at Leone Centre use thoughtful and reflective dialogue to help you:
- Identify Triggers and Emotions: Understand the underlying emotions and triggers that contribute to your gaming habits. This might involve exploring past experiences, current stressors, or personal beliefs that fuel your need to engage in excessive gaming.
- Gaming as a Fulfilment Mechanism: Recognise how gaming might be serving as a way to manage stress or fulfil unmet needs. Therapy can help you identify healthier and more sustainable mechanisms to address those needs directly.
- Restoring Balance: Develop ways to bring balance back into your life and prioritise meaningful activities and relationships. This could involve setting realistic limits on gaming time, exploring alternative activities, and strengthening your support network.
Is the goal of therapy to stop gaming completely?
No, recovery is not about erasing gaming from your life. Instead, therapy aims to help you create a healthier relationship with gaming where it finds its place alongside other fulfilling activities. The focus is on:
- Understanding Gaming’s Role: Exploring the role gaming plays in your life and how it may be meeting certain needs.
- Reclaiming Control: Gaining a sense of choice and balance so that gaming doesn’t dominate your life or interfere with your well-being.
- Finding Meaning and Purpose: Rediscovering or cultivating other sources of connection, purpose, and meaning that contribute to a richer and more satisfying life.