A new study shows people who are most addicted to playing video games are young men and people who are not in a relationship. The study further establishes a link between gaming and ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.
The research from the University of Bergen examined 20,000 people. The findings were published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, of the American Psychological Association.
Cecilie Schou Andreassen, doctor of psychology and clinical psychologist specialist in the Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, told Science Daily, "Excessively engaging in gaming may function as an escape mechanism for, or coping with, underlying psychiatric disorders in attempt to alleviate unpleasant feelings, and to calm restless bodies."
She further warns that young children who have or are prone to developing ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression are at a higher risk than other children for developing an addiction to playing video games when they grow older. Parents should be particularly mindful of their child's involvement with video games and take appropriate action when necessary.
"The study implies that younger with some of these characteristics could be targeted regarding preventing development of an unhealthy gaming pattern."
7 Warning Signs for Videogame Addiction
- You think about playing a game all day long
- You spend increasing amounts of time on games
- You play games to forget about real life
- Others have unsuccessfully tried to reduce your game use
- You feel bad when you are unable to play
- You have fights with others over your time spent on games
- You neglect other important activities to play games
Strongly associating with just 4 of the warning signs indicates a potential problem.