When online gaming takes over your life
Worried that your online gaming is becoming an issue? Here’s what you need to know about gaming addiction.
Gaming addiction is a real thing!
It can happen playing any game - online, offline, digital or video.
For most people gaming is not a problem and may never be one.
But for a very small amount of people it may become a problem or an addiction.
Research is looking into whether this is an actual disorder (Gaming Disorder).
The difference between healthy gaming and addiction is the negative impact it is having on your life.
It’s important to recognise the warning signs and start to make a change.
Why is online gaming so addictive?
Most online games are designed to keep you hooked or might meet some needs that you’re not getting in real life. Some things games do to keep you hooked or meet your needs include:
- Rewarding you for playing
- Helping you to relax or have fun
- Connecting you to a community
- Making you feel part of a team
- Helping you cope with problems
- Giving you a sense of belonging
- Creating a unique identity or profile
- Helping you dull emotional or physical pain
- Giving you a sense of achievement or success
- Providing you with a purpose or goals to work towards
- Giving you an escape from stress or issues in your life
- Creating an environment where you feel safe and in control
- Giving you the thrill of being in a fantasy world or a part of a complex story
- Allowing in-game purchases to keep you online or to give you an advantage so you keep playing
"Gaming became the most important thing in my life and it was pretty much all I was doing to the point it was affecting my health, sleep, friendships, everything!"
When gaming starts to become a problem
It’s not really about how much you play, it’s about how much gaming is causing you distress and how much it’s impacting your life. If it’s affecting any of these areas of your life it might be a problem:
- Family
- School
- Friendships
- Sleep & eating habits
- Work/career
- Finances
- Mental health
- Physical health
What are the warning signs?
Some signs that your gaming might become a problem are:
- Playing even though you’re no longer enjoying it
- Continuing to play even though it’s causing you problems
- Inability to reduce playing or unsuccessful attempts to quit
- Preoccupation with gaming, even when you’re not playing
- Needing to spend more and more time playing to satisfy the urge
- Using gaming to relieve or cope with problems or negative feelings
- Feeling unable to focus on other activities when you’re not gaming
- Having risked or lost friends, a job or an opportunity because of gaming
- Having problems or arguments with family, friends, or your partner
- Lying to people close to you about how much time you spend playing
- Feeling sad, angry, moody, anxious or irritable when you can’t play
- Neglecting responsibilities and activities that are important or you enjoy
- Having problems at home or work or with study because of your gaming
- Craving more time to play to get game items, make progress or improve your status
If you experience a few of the above warning signs, you may have a problem with gaming. It’s important to seek help.
If you are concerned about your gaming
It’s ok to reach out for support!
If you ever feel that you’re gaming more than you would like, that your gaming is negatively affecting your mood or that you don't have as much control over your gaming as you would like, then it may be worth seeking some support.
This content was last reviewed
