With the rise of the popularity of video games and the culture behind them, it’s no surprise that video game addiction is now labelled as an actual condition.
Though some people may view it as a habit, this new addiction is just like other compulsive conditions and can have serious effects. The condition is defined as excessive or compulsive use of video games.
Fortunately, there’s now therapy and drugs to help fight the newly founded condition. But it doesn’t just affect you mentally; the condition can have serious physical problems as well.
Symptoms of compulsive video game use
These symptoms range from lying to family and friends about how much time is spent playing to isolating themselves from everyone. There are also withdrawal symptoms of fatigue and irritability when away from consoles.
Most people see it as unsociable teenagers playing something that’s not real, and in some cases, this is true, but not all cases are that minor.
The percentage of people being diagnosed with video game addiction is on the rise. Professionals suggest that game designers do this purposefully to keep children addicted. So, is it the developer's fault, or are people unable to control their habits? Who knows?
What we do know, though, is how dire the physical implications can be.
Research on video game addiction
A study was conducted in North America to determine whether video game addiction can be linked to sleeping habits. The study involved 94 adolescents aged 10 to 17.
The research involved sleep monitors, surveys, physical exams, and blood tests. The adolescents were given a sleep monitor for one week. After this, the scientists examined the results and measured their insulin levels, waist circumference, height, and blood pressure.
The results of the study
After combining all their finding, the scientists came up with the conclusion that there was a correlation between sleeping habits and video game addiction.
Those participants who showed signs of addiction got less sleep, were more prone to gain weight, their bodies were more resistant to insulin, and their blood pressure was significantly higher.
The researchers said the condition affects vulnerable children and teenagers. It also significantly affects their social interaction and skills, which are essential for preparing for the real world.
In the surveys, a major percentage of the participants said they played video games to get away from the ‘real world’. They said it was more fun and that you could be who you want in the fantasy world, but they couldn’t cope with the responsibility and reality of the real world.
Here are some tips on how to cope with the addiction and a list of reasons why the addiction is bad:
- Create timetables and schedules to regulate the use of video games.
- Find an external motivator to keep you away from the screen.
- Delete all your video games. Even if you try to download them again later, they take a while, so you may find something else to do.
- Computer games are very time-consuming.
- They’re an escape – a distraction.
- Computer games are very limiting.
- Playing computer games is living someone else’s life, not your own.
Conclusion of the study
After all this, we think it is quite obvious that video games and addiction do affect your sleeping habits. Maybe they need a better mattress, a memory foam one could help. But, truthfully, as shown, the health risks are high, and this addiction is not just a habit.