It can be confusing for people who enjoy gaming, as well as their loved ones, to know what to believe about the potential dangers of gaming addiction. And parents may find it difficult to judge whether they should even allow their children to play video games.
Is video gaming addiction real?
Video gaming addiction is not currently recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition), and there is no agreement among experts on whether it should be included in future editions. In short, it's not an "official" diagnosis.
More research is needed to determine whether gaming addiction should stand alone as a new, separate disorder.
It is clear that video game playing may become excessive and problematic for some kids and adults, and that this shares many features of other addictions. This includes spending a lot of time thinking about, planning, and repetitively engaging in the behavior, even when it becomes harmful; having difficulty controlling the behavior; and experiencing distress or disruption to other areas of life as a result.
Video gaming addiction is only an addiction if it is problematic or harmful in some way. It is not a label that can simply be applied to anyone who enjoys or plays a lot of video games.
While video gaming addiction is not officially recognized, more and more people are coming forward complaining of problems with gaming addiction, and there are new treatments emerging in response, although they are few and far between. Treatments being explored include individual therapy, group therapy for kids and adults, couples therapy and psychoeducational groups for parents.
Although specific treatments for video game addiction are in their infancy, parents who are concerned about a child's video game playing will probably find consulting a mainstream family therapist helpful. Likewise, couples who are having relationship problems as a result of one or both partners' video game playing are likely to find regular marriage or relationship counseling helpful.
There is also a lot that parents can do to prevent the problem from developing.
The Bottom Line
While video gaming addiction is not an official diagnosis, the problems that result from too much video gaming can be real. If you are worried that video games are disrupting your life -- or that of your partner, child, or other loved one -- you can and should seek out professional help.
Sources
American Psychiatric Association, News Release: Statement of the American Psychiatric Association on "Video Game Addiction". Release No. 07-47. June 21, 2007.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Edition – Text Revision), Washington DC, American Psychiatric Association. 1994.
Block, M.D., Jerald J., "Issues for DSM-V: Internet Addiction." Am J Psychiatry 165:3. 2008.
Charlton, J. P. "A factor-analytic investigation of computer addiction and engagement." British Journal of Psychology 93:329–344. 2002.
Khan, MD, PhD, Mohamed K. “Emotional and behavioral effects, including addictive potential, of video games.” Report Of The Council On Science And Public Health. CSAPH Report 12-A-07. 2007. Accessed 10 Feb 2009.
Manders, T. Draft report on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect to video games. Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. (2008/2173 (INI)). European Parliament. 20 Nov 2008. Accessed 18 Feb 2010.
Skoric, M., Lay Ching Teo, L. & Lijie Neo, L. "Children and Video Games: Addiction, Engagement, and Scholastic Achievement." CyberPsychology & Behavior. 12:567-572. 2009.
