Take Connor, a member of GameQuitters, for example. He realized that gaming had become a new problem: “What had helped me to stay sane and somewhat functional for all these years was now actually my big problem.” With this realization, healing began. Suddenly, he found himself deep into a video game addiction. To avoid negative thoughts, this GameQuitter member played video games more frequently for longer periods of time. Says this gamer, “My main pull to gaming was the escapism, I didn’t feel like I had to escape from anyone or anything, but myself and my own thoughts.” These symptoms of depression overwhelmed him, but then he found relief and escape in gaming. For this man, gaming was an escape from years of unhappiness, irritability, and suicidal thoughts. Gaming for Sanity and EscapeĪn anonymous member of GameQuitters shares his struggles not just with gaming, but with himself. In the spirit of growth through sharing, may these three stories provide solace and inspiration. Through shared stories, people discover that they’re not the only ones dealing with this struggle, see how others have been impacted, and learn from each other’s experiences. Part of the reason these forums are so successful is that members share their stories. Online support groups such as On-Line Gamers Anonymous (OLGA and OLGANON), and Game Quitters, bring together gamers (and loved ones, too, for their own support) for connection and mutual encouragement as they recover from video game addiction, rebuild their lives, and prevent gaming from ruining their lives going forward. Millions of people addicted to video games means millions of stories. Whether someone begins gaming to escape problems or just for the fun of the activity, video gaming can take over, become an addiction, and ruin lives. Video game addiction can happen to anyone. Decline in participation in other activities formerly enjoyed.Truancy from school or absenteeism from work.Withdrawal from family and friends interference in relationships.Gamers who become stuck in the virtual world of video games and online friends find that gaming becomes a problem when they begin to suffer consequences: This means that millions, even tens of millions, of people potentially become addicted to gaming. Studies of gaming addiction have determined that 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent of adolescents who engage in online gaming have signs of addiction (Conrad, n.d. Spil Games, a global video games producer in the Netherlands who compiled data from numerous studies and reports, found that 1.2 billion people play video games worldwide and 700 million of those play online games (Takahashi, 2013). That feeling that video games ruined your life is the result of gaming addiction symptoms, and it impacts a staggering number of people. “Video games ruined my life.” If you’ve enjoyed gaming but have found yourself at a low point where you feel isolated and like you’ve lost things that were once important to you, you’re not alone.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |