adminthaim Gaming is fun and meaningful activity for most problem gamblers. However, video gaming has also provided negative experiences for many gamers. Negative experiences mostly resulted from the use of video games as an avoidance mechanism. Gamers who excessively played video games are more prone to develop serious problems which include depression, stress, anxiety and substance abuse.
The great escape offered by computer games such as World of Warcraft or EverQuest can temporarily relieve the stress brought about by life. However, once stressors like work and family come into view, it is not easy for people to forget their addiction. In fact, many gamers have become so dependent on computer games that they cannot live a normal life without them.
According to an industry analyst, up to seventy percent of all persons playing video games experience depression. In fact, video games are so addictive that even after developing an addiction, they may still continue playing. This tendency is reinforced by the continued presence of video games in the home, despite the presence of family and friends. The constant playing of video games can create a sort of pass time that may be used for entertainment, but not for other purposes. Instead of spending quality time with his family, a gamer may spend a lot of time on World of Warcraft or EverQuest.
There are different types of computer games, each having its own advantages and disadvantages. However, gaming addiction can be categorized as an addiction because the continued presence of the mind produces certain changes in the brain. In fact, a lot of experts say that the changes produced by computer gaming can cause the changes of people’s personalities. Some people become more aggressive, while others become more passive. Their thoughts can become unstable and irrational. All these characteristics can lead to a person’s inability to interact normally with other people.
Gaming addiction can affect people of all ages and sex. Many children have become fans of computer games and some adults are drawn to the compelling graphics and the unlimited action involved in most games. It is not uncommon to see young boys killing their families with guns and killing spree games. On the other hand, there are adult women addicted to bodybuilding games. There are even middle-aged and elderly people who became addicted to chess and carom ball.
Online games are so popular that there are entire stores and shops devoted to selling video games and accessories related to gaming. One can also find countless web sites where one can play free games. However, these free games can become addictive and when the player engages in high-stakes gaming, it can become even more problematic. Some studies show that video games can cause the increase of blood pressure in men. Because of this reason, there is a great need for treatment centers to develop treatment programs for video game addiction.