Gambling addiction. Modern challenges for child health
What to know about this topic
Gaming addiction (Gaming addiction)
Gaming addictionis a form of behavioral addiction, an uncontrollable and pathological attraction to video games, in particular computer, mobile or online games. Gambling addiction is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a type of mental disorder that requires timely diagnosis and effective treatment. Most often, this addiction is diagnosed in children and adolescents.
How does gambling addiction manifest itself?
Gaming addiction is characterized by loss of control over one’s own life, loss of the ability to make independent decisions, loss of interest in the world around us, deterioration of self-esteem and excessive aggression.
Main signs of gambling addiction:
- Apathy;
- Feeling of anxiety;
- Excessive excitability;
- Unreasonable aggression;
- Changing your daily routine;
- Deterioration in academic results;
- Withdrawal and antisocial behavior;
- Memory impairment;
- Sleep disorders;
- General exhaustion of the body, weight loss.
Diagnostics of gambling addiction
Excessive passion for video games can seriously harm mental and physical health. Any interactive hobby of a child or teenager must be controlled and dosed. A psychiatrist or psychotherapist can identify gambling addiction in young patients during personal communication, using special tests.
Treatment of gambling addiction
The process of treating gambling addiction is complex, but possible. The treatment plan is determined by a psychiatrist or psychotherapist, taking into account the patient’s concomitant disorders or diseases.
Specialists use various types of psychotherapy:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT);
- Psychodynamic therapy;
- Group and family therapy.
- If necessary, a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
Expert opinion
“If you notice a gaming addiction in your child or teenager, you don’t need to immediately resort to screaming and strict prohibitions. Analyze why this happened, what your child is missing, why games have become more attractive to him than real life. It is necessary to replace the virtual world with the real one - through communication, sports or creativity. If the situation gets out of control, be sure to contact a specialist.” —Christina Zhivago, Candidate of Medical Sciences, psychiatrist of the highest category, child psychiatrist.