The Dark Side of Gaming: The Addiction of Gaming and Its Effects on the Human Mind 2022

The tendency to overindulge in gaming is called gaming addiction, and it has serious psychological effects on its sufferers. This addictive behavior has many social, physical, and economic repercussions which can be devastating to the addict’s personal life and harm society as a whole. But it also has plenty of benefits that may aid users suffering from certain mental illnesses, such as ADHD or depression. Thus, whether you are an expert psychologist or an avid gamer, you need to understand how video games affect the mind to form an opinion about them.

Addicted to gaming?

It's not unheard of for a gamer to find themselves addicted to gaming. Some people who get used to living in a fantasy world can't go back to reality, often using gaming as an escape from the pain that's going on in their lives. If you think you may be addicted, there are some effects of gaming addiction you should know about. 

Gaming may make kids feel more anxious or nervous than they usually do while they're playing, which can happen because video games cause too much stress.

Symptoms of addiction:

Due to its prevalence in modern society, gaming addiction has been a topic up for debate as scientists try to understand how this disorder affects us physically and psychologically. They have found that gamers have issues with addiction in three categories: substance abuse, behavioral addictions (gambling, etc.), and process addictions (neurofeedback, meditation). One particular type is focused on neurology in which you're becoming addicted to brain stimulation by playing.

Healthier alternatives:

Are you experiencing gaming addiction? If so, there are many free or low-cost services to help support your well-being. You can also substitute your gaming for another form of entertainment such as a film or book. Play games outside and make yourself healthy! There are more than 20  million gamers in America alone with almost 5% of them being addicted. The effects that gaming addiction has on the human mind are disturbing. When we game, our brain releases dopamine which is like a high. A study by Georgia Tech found that gamers have lower levels of empathy when compared to non-gamers. There is not just one solution to curing this problem but it starts with education and how much time people spend playing games in comparison to other activities they enjoy doing.

Treating addiction:

Gaming addiction is real. With gaming becoming more of a daily fixture for young people,  the side effects of becoming overindulgent can become present. Gaming addiction treatments are available to those who are concerned about how much time they spend gaming, with varied costs depending on the program. There are many different degrees of gaming addiction, ranging from obsessive to destructive habits. Many inpatient treatment programs offer at least one type of therapy related to video games. A typical course of treatment involves therapy sessions, 12-step  groups, or other self-help support groups as well as individual psychotherapy sessions where patients explore their addiction and learn coping skills. Inpatient treatment can range from $3,000-$10,000  per month. In some cases, inpatient may be required if an addict’s life has been disrupted by other consequences of their addiction such as legal problems or loss of employment. Outpatient programs provide therapy without the residential component at rates between $1,000-$4,000 per month; these programs typically last 3-6 months but may require a commitment for 1 year or longer.