The world of video games can be so captivating that it can become a problem.
Recently, psychiatrist Ruslan Isaev spoke with the publication "Komsomolskaya Pravda" and talked about the signs of gaming addiction in adolescents and adults.
According to the expert, the "first sign" is when people start spending 60-70% of their time on games.
[since the formation of the prefrontal cortex responsible for impulse control and assessment of consequences is not completed in adolescents' brains] they are more likely to get "stuck" in games, especially if they give quick and bright bursts of pleasure and help to escape from anxiety or boredom. Although in our practice we often encounter adult, established people who have been exposed to gambling
- The second sign of gaming addiction is aggression and irritability, outbursts of anger when trying to distract a teenager from the game.
- The third sign is a sleep disturbance, when a person starts playing until late at night, chronically not getting enough sleep.
- In addition, "emotional swings" can be observed: during the game, "unmotivated euphoria" may occur, and losing can lead to a sharp drop in mood, resembling a depressive state.
- Isaev also noted the "withdrawal syndrome": if you limit the time of access to a computer or gadget, the teenager will worry, get angry, and be anxious.
The expert advises, if there are such signs, to try to "avoid pressure, prohibitions and accusations, which will only cause resistance." Instead, he recommends building a clear system of rules and defining boundaries, offering the person alternative activities, such as sports, live communication or creativity. In some cases, communication with a specialized specialist may be required.
