This is Internet Gaming Disorder!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- Internet Gaming Disorder was not something I was taught when I was in graduate school, the internet wasn’t as advanced as it is now, and also internet gaming disorder wasn’t in the DSM, or it wasn’t back then. In May of 2013 when the new edition of the DSM was released it included a section called “conditions for further study” which had many proposed diagnoses and their criteria, and it mentions that it’s not supposed to be used for clinical purposes at this time. And Internet Gaming Disorder falls into this section of the DSM, so we will have to see if any new research persuades those at the American Psychological Association into adding it to the DSM’s next edition.
I'm Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos!
#katimorton #therapist #therapy
MY BOOK
Are u ok? A Guide To Caring Your Mental Health
bit.ly/2s0mULy
JOURNALING CLUB
Every Tuesday & Friday I post a journal prompt to help keep you motivated and working on yourself. Whether you add the prompts to your own journal at home or use the comment section under the prompt itself, this can be a great way to keep on track with journaling. Join here: www.youtube.co...
ONLINE THERAPY
I do not currently offer online therapy. BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online counselor, please visit: betterhelp.com...
I receive commissions on referrals and recommend services I know and trust.
MY AMAZON RECOMMENDATIONS www.amazon.com...
PATREON
Are you interested in supporting the creation of mental health videos? If so, please visit: www.katimorton...
PODCASTS
Opinions That Don't Matter! & Ask Kati Anything!
video: / opinionsthatdontmatter
Audio versions:
opinonsthatdon...
askkatianythin...
BUSINESS EMAIL: Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com
PO Box: 1223 Wilshire Blvd. #665 Santa Monica, CA 90403
PLEASE READ
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Traumatized www.target.com...
Are u ok? www.target.com... MY BOOKS (in stores now)
Traumatized geni.us/Bfak0j
Are u ok? bit.ly/2s0mULy
ONLINE THERAPY
While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist, please visit: betterhelp.com...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @katimorton
PATREON www.katimorton...
YOU CAN SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY SHOPPING WITH OUR AFFILIATE LINKS
Instacart: www.instacart....
Amazon: www.amazon.com...
PARTNERSHIP
Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com
PLEASE READ
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.
me: *sees title*
*Chuckle* I'm in danger...
Mr. Hipster I’m playing a game while watching this. Yikes.
Haha right!?!
Bruh saaame xD
-smirks- doo da doo Dunna dun da dun da doo doo doo (inserts Mario theme) what us an addicted gamer? Nah -shifty eyes-
Same lol
People can get addicted to anything including internet gaming or just the internet.
True!
MeMe Mo or Netflix! 😹
Or just computer/video gaming without the internet.
For people with ADHD games can give that dopamine rush, anxiety they can be relaxing and take your mind off of what you were worry about, and depression you get to live a different life in a game. Like food it's legal so it's often not looked at seriously like illegal drugs or something that will kill you.
i wish i could get addicted to doing my school work :(
I used to think Internet Gaming Disorder was just a bogus way of parents trying to control their teenagers' behavior, but after hearing the symptoms it seems like a pretty legitimate candidate for the DSM. I would also say, however, that there are a lot of similar things that people can become addicted to, and I'm not sure if all forms of entertainment addiction need to be individually categorized as their own disorders.
Skymuffins Maybe instead of each form of entertainment addiction, there will be an umbrella diagnosis for people who become addicted to different forms of entertainment.
It's different though, than for example watching series, because you get things, like new, better gear, stuff to build your own house, that makes your "life" easier (in the game), you gain power and skill, and it can boost your self esteem. So if your life sucks, you just go ahead and be a king in a fake, virtual world. Even if you have decent stuff and decent life in real life, nothing compares to achieve so much constantly. And online gaming community gives an excusr to say that you're among real people (who you've never met). That's how I see it anyway.
This is going to be epic! I do believe the issues with gaming etc or any disorder are very similar, I do believe as a society, some might not take it as serious due to the name of the disorder but its very real. Great topic.
Truth!
Glad you liked it!! Yes I agree the name needs to be changed.. and I am interested to see what new research they have to prove this should be added to the DSM. So interesting!!
Agreed. Either it sounds like a bogus disorder, or feeds into an already pre-existing, negative generalization of video games and those who enjoy it as a hobby.
I wish them luck on their research. Seeing as Virtual Reality is becoming more accessible, I would keep an eye on that too.
Kati Morton but shouldnt it be grouped into a conpulsion category as gambling or something like that ? Ive always been sceptical as to why some kids for example get addicted to fortnite to the point where they dont wanna do anything else. But what push them to these behaviors in the first place. We never in the mainstream hear about their environnement at home and thats bugging me. Maybe the online world is way more interesting that their surrounding, a community that they can relate when their family are rejecting them. You get what im painting. I dont think it should be a diagnosis for all of those reasons because i feel they are way more issues under that, and a diagnosis like that will put all of these “ sick “ individuals under the same category, and people will want to either medicate them or offer them useless CBT and thats frustrating i find. ( i am not a gamer lol ). I think its more a symptom than a disorder, not everything is a disorder to make the others feel better because they can tell themselves “ oh its a disease “
This should just be called 'Internet Disorder.' I think most of us get most of these symptoms if the internet goes off. 🤣🤦🏻♀️
I definitely think this happens in just internet in general as well as other means of technology (social media, and even just our phones).
go to use the bathroom and forget to bring the phone 😫
EnTaroDHo 🤣🤣🤦🏻♀️ Then you're forced to read soap bottles, and other random crap.
yea, lives a bitch!!
Me: See’s title
Also me: Oh boy
*IS GAMING DISORDER A REAL DISORDER*
Me: *slowly closes my laptop then laughs nervously*
As long as we include TV and movies. Society talks about and admits to binging as if it's normal and okay. Resulting in neglecting other responsibilities and social or family interaction. Especially sports.
It's interesting that you mention it's most common in Asian countries. Korean MMORPG's are notorious for being "grindy" (in order to progress you have to perform repetitive, tedious gameplay mechanics, such as fighting hundreds of enemies for hours on end). These game develops know how to give us that dopamine hit with rewards and game progression, and increasing the intervals between them longer and longer. You can go from level 1 to 2 in 15 minutes but level 100 to 101 might take hundreds of hours, all slowly built up over time. They are designed to keep you playing as long as possible to increase the chance of you spending money on $$$ micro transactions! I wonder how this model of internet games affects a developing adolescent's brain
You’re right. Most big developers do this intentionally. Oddly enough it’s worse than it was decades ago. Obviously the XP system was designed to be grindingly, but there were general mathematical formulas and was of improving quickly.. but now, though that is still built in, the gap/time to get to the goal seemingly increased, and the coveted rewards which are scarce, are nothing more than “the cake is a lie” scenario. You see people falling into traps like that even now with games like say Destiny in the early days (playing from dusk to dawn, literally, to beat a raid, and get a reward, that never came). Did it once or twice. NEVER AGAIN. People don’t realize (or maybe care), that their health is sacrificed in return (if anything in the long run).
As someone who had "Internet Gaming Disorder
" i would say 2 years ago i used to play video games for 7 hours a day, i didn't go out, study or exercise etc.
but after i got a job i liked, i got something to do in life a purpose, so i stopped playing games i didn't have time to play games, i even started studying to improve my work performance.
I would say Gaming is something people use to distract themselves from their boring realities, or even distract themselves from other disorders like depression, i love your channel Kati but please try not to have the general stereotypical perspective about Gaming.
Well said!
Reading the comments really gave me anxiety.
So much this. Internet gaming disorder/similar addictive disorders are a symptom of other problems, if those problems are dealt with these disorders can often (but not always) go away on their own.
Wait, how do you know you had internet gaming disorder? Self-diagnosing oneself with an illness and then claiming that illness went away on its own is not very compelling evidence that the illness doesn't really exist. Maybe you never had the disorder to begin with and just spent a lot of time playing video games to fight off boredom because you weren't really interested in or motivated to do much else. Some of the symptoms of the disorder according to the APA are: Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is taken away, Inability to reduce playing, Continuing to game despite problems, Deceiving family members or others about the amount of time spent on gaming, Risk having jeopardized or lost a job or relationship due to gaming. The "disorder" part of any addictive behavior has to do with the withdrawal, inability to stop, negative consequences, deception, and risk. NOT just how much time someone spends on a behavior or lack of interest in other things.
I think a lot of time, addiction to one thing is to escape from reality and hardship in life.
I think there is a difference from what you’re describing and an addictive/compulsive type disorder.
I don’t mean to minimize anything you experienced though! Please correct me if I’m wrong about any of this!
It sounds like you were someone who enjoyed games and didn’t find the other things in life to be a priority. I think a lot of the time we feel like we should find those things important to us - they’re tied to success in our culture.
It’s a different story if you really WANT to prioritize those things but can’t seem to let the obsessive behavior go. You can’t focus on any other task, you have extreme panic if someone else takes away your ability to engage in the behavior, you’re suffering losses to things you find important due to the behavior, perhaps you’re in denial that the behavior is causing these issues, etc.
I think gaming is great! I don’t think Katie has a negative attitude towards it at all. I think games teach us things and have the power to connect us unlike other forms of entertainment media.
But if you find yourself depending on something to the point where you’re unable to give it up or willing to sacrifice your life to it - that’s addiction.
Internet gaming disorder should be generalised as Online disorder, including social media disorder, smart phone disorder. It’s an addiction.
Or how about Technology Disorder? Because I feel like Netflix falls into this as well, and also games that are not connected to the internet. Eg. My mother used to play Tetris on her hand-held game for hours on end.
Is there a UA-cam addiction?
Close friend of mine was like that too. He was always online like every day at least 16 hours or so. I thought it was just a phase but after one Month I got scared when he lost 18 pounds! He told me " Don't worry it's not that much, just played a little too much and forgot to eat". I was like how can you not be hungry all the time??? " I got used to being hungry...it's like when your nose is itchy, I can just ignore it ".
He said it like it was a special skill he developed. Oh, and he was also telling me he didn't see sunlight for 1 week because he turned his sleep cycle upside down. Laughing it off.
I started to cry because for me it looked like he was dying and gave him a hug. He stopped with being funny about it and said that he was sorry for making me worry...everything feels like a dream..
I'm sooooooooooooo happy I could convince him get help and that he is back on his feet.
But I will never forget his face on that day. 🧟♂
On the medication thing.
Don't you think those meds only help because the initial problem is a disorder like depression, anxiety and other disorders? I don't think there are meds that help you stop gaming. I think only a therapist can help a person and support them facing their problems.
I don't think they need to add it to the dsm, I think it is not a disorder of it's own kind. More like the result of a disorder that is already in the dsm.
Leffili Lafee so glad he’s doing better! Addictions are often unhealthy coping mechanisms as a result of a mental illness such as Depression or Anxiety which can be helped by meds. One benefit to adding new diagnosis to the DSM that not many people think about is that if it’s in the DSM, insurance companies are more likely to pay for treatment. It totally it sucks because sometimes treatment depends on whether there’s a diagnosis code for billing purposes.
I'm a gamer. I'm also a father. When any activity interferes with your daily life to detrimental effect then it is a disorder. I adjust my gaming around my children, wife and other responsibilities. Gaming isn't my priority, it's a hobby. I've seen people with more of a problem watching football than with gaming but that could change in a decade or two.
Thank you for making this video! As a mental health care professional, I don't know how many times I've had to talk to parents about this topic. Most of the time I have to help them understand that, just because their kid spends some time online, doesn't mean they're addicted. I also have to explain the social component to internet gaming and how some kids actually do so much better at being social with peers if they don't have to be in the room with a person. Talking over Discord or a chat app is still being social, as long as it's healthy, safe interactions.
One thought I've had, is that Internet Gaming Disorder should be shifted to Internet Gaming Addiction and we should add/switch another aspect as a branch off for Internet and Social Media Addiction. Because they really are addictions people can have. It can be just as destructive as a gambling or shopping addiction, Gaming even could be considered a branch of both gambling and shopping addictions.
And this is coming from someone who is an avid gamer and user of the internet.
I’ve been playing this game for a year. When I first discovered it it was kind of like something to do to wind down at the end of the day, but when an episode of depression happened that’s when it sucked me in. I played it all day everyday for about nine months. I just put all my focus into these characters and getting new and better weapons and armor and completing journeys. It felt nice and I was relieved not to have to worry about anything going on in my life. If I wasn’t working, I was playing that game. Would call out of work just so I could play it and talk to people on there. It’s quite entertaining! I think because I found enjoyment in the game, where I couldn’t find it in real life, it became easy to just put everything into it. Like okay I found something I enjoy doing and I laugh and I smile because of it. So it must be good for me..
I’m not a really social person in general and I like to stay to myself so I enjoy playing games because it’s like a little stress reliever. Something to do after you’ve been productive all day.
It’s better now and I still play it but maybe just one to two hours a couple times a week. If I’m on there longer it’s because something funny or drama is happening in the server chat. So I’m just lurking 🤣
I think after I realized how much time I wasted and how fast 2019 went by it made me just chill. I’ve tried to quit many times, but the people you meet are what make it really fun. So i found a little balance. I mean I still don’t enjoy other things that I used to and I really like gaming, but I don’t do it as much as I used too. It’s just fun though 😸
Hello, I really like your first paragraph. I have a co-worker that this seems to describe really well, from my observations. He's married but has resorted to playing games because she doesn't want to have sex with him (that's the reason he gave me). And now she doesn't want to have sex with him because of all his gaming. He's defensive about it and in total denial. He has even put the discord server on his computer at work and now that affects my ability to do my job because my work comes from him doing his work and he's not doing it. Now I have to nag him like his wife does in order to get him to do anything but it also creates tension between us. The internet went down on the weekend a few weeks ago and he was in a panic on Monday to get it working. This has completely taken over his life. And I feel caught in the crosshairs and it sucks.
I am not a licensed so take anything I say here as just my opinion. Most of my ideas come from the analysis of myself First I am not saying that this is healthy and that you don't need to cut back. But I've gone through the same thing. I'm not sure that, at least in my case, I consider video games an addiction so much as a type of controlled psychosis. Maybe that we use to keep us from having a true psychotic break. Think about it we've created (with the help of the game) our own controlled world, where we have god-like abilities because it's too painful for us to live in the real world.
Perfect timing for this topic. My partner is struggling with a gaming addiction and I’m not sure how to help him. We’ve talked about how it’s impacting different parts of our lives and how it’s used as an escape but not much has changed since that discussion. Thank you for making this video! I hope more research goes into this topic and can help us find a solution. ❤️
I’m looking forward to watching, this was briefly covered in one of my classes and I wanted to learn more about it!! 🥰
I hope it was helpful :) xoxo
Kati Morton Thank you so much, I’m grateful for your amazing videos!! :)
I had pretty much all these symptoms at one point, but my gaming was more of a catalyst than the core problem. I was gaming with all my time because I felt hopeless about my life and didn’t have the confidence to feel capable of doing anything else with my life. Games gave me the illusion of productivity and self-worth and I used it as a substitute for real accomplishments in life.
Not to mention addiction to technology in general. Our phones, social media and the anxiety we feel when we don't have access to these things.
I’m on my way to a DPsy AND I’m an avid gamer so this topic hits home for me. I believe “gaming disorder” in general (whether online or offline) needs to be regarded in the same light as any other addictive disorder ie: Are you living an otherwise normal, healthy life or is gaming (and the need for escape) hindering your life? If gaming “takes over” your life, it is a problem.
Some drug addicts and alcoholics use drugs/alcohol to escape their realities too, so I don’t see why entertainment addiction (whether gaming or tv or netflix etc) shouldn’t be treated the same way! I’m hoping to help add to the much needed research in the field someday 🤞🏼
I find it interesting that it's being called 'internet' gaming disorder when video games in general, internet or not, could fall into this. Rather easily.
It's not true. I play videogames, 1h or 1:30h.
Is not addiction.
@@heyyou_3493 I play video games many hours a day most days as chronic pain therapy, along with other activities that help. No addiction. I just think it's funny that they choose to use the word internet when video games can and are not all connected to the net and yet could still fall under this.
Perhaps it should be renamed to Entertainment Addiction as that’s the real category this would fall under & would broaden the scope. I’m seeing a lot of comments in relation to the same thing too with sports, Netflix, binge watching. I don’t know but I feel like the symptoms are flawed. The main symptom I would feel would be avoidance of an internal psychological issue (trauma, depression, anxiety, that one disorder that deals with socializing or something -forgot) but to zero in on hmm or perhaps simply Addiction Disorder. With categories makes way more sense to me as well.
Hmm this makes me reflect back to when my initial addiction to gaming became worse. When my Pa passed away. And some before his passing when some believed I was just “pretending” or “nothing was wrong with me” or “it was because of all the fantasy books I read” ect. Belief is a powerful word tbh. Like when someone says I believe in you. It’s a powerful statement. V
right? especially when this was released in a 2013 version. back when video games were mostly used on a console... not many games other than Minecraft were played on the internet at that time. and sadly we need a new category called "fortnite addiction"
As someone who's played games as my main hobby for over a decade, with barely any social life, I feel like you don't really understand it.
This video is useful to raise awareness I guess but not to really explain what it's like.
Personally when I lie about playing it's not because people will tell me to stop, it's because I know they'll see me as a loser. Family therapy? The reason I got into gaming in the first place is because I was forced to live in the same house as my parents with no escape other than gaming. At least in games my parents couldn't control my every move like some abusing cops. Another thing I should add is I do think about games when I'm not playing, regularly, but it's not like it takes control of my every thoughts and if I have something else to do IRL that I enjoy, I won't mind not gaming at all even for weeks at a time, it's just that in day to day life, gaming is the best use of my time. No need to deal with social bullshit, it's a relatively cheap hobby compared to other IRL hobbies, it's convenient since you can play from home without anyone seeing you didn't get ready today, etc, etc.
While it is true that for some people gaming rises to extremely unhealthy levels, I believe there is a distinction that needs to be made and is clearly omitted in the DSM. The world is evolving and we need to be smarter than blame technology for our every generational problems. Who's to say in 500 years the entire population won't live behind a screen, while being productive members of society?
For some gaming is the reason they learnt to be developers, or video makers. For others they made great friendships, or met their fiancee in online games. Playing a lot as a primary hobby doesn't mean it's an addiction that needs to be treated. At the current rate this is similar to how they used to send family members to psych wards for not being religious or being gay back in the days.
Great video, I really like how you talk about gaming, you understand and help us instead of blaming us.
I used to play games every day and every night the whole time. Eat, game, sleep, repeat. But then once I started at university it just dropped to a few hours a week if not none at times. I guess I just occupied myself with more important things.
Psychology student btw 💁♂️💅
I'm curious if something like this really is specific to *internet* games, or if any computer game in general can be the focus of this disorder. If so, I think looking into the difference between how we're affected by internet games and single-player/local games would be an interesting avenue of research.
Love it!! Kati - you know you've made tons of videos about overcoming eating disorders. Could you maybe do one with someone who has fully overcome one? Particularly where someone says the challenges and the slips. Like slipping from restricting to binging and purging but someone who is now fully recovered and has been for sometime? With someone who is so recovered they don't even think about it? That would be so helpful and encouraging x
When I was a child, I was believed to have had struggled with gaming addiction. My life was ruled by gaming. I am still an avid gamer today, but I've generally improved since my youth. However, the question asked at the end of this video, on the border between disorder and hobby, has always pervaded my thoughts with every game I play. I love gaming, but I still always fear what my life would be without it. There's more to it than that, but like with many things in my life, I'm ruled by that fear.
In the college course I'm currently on, one of the medules we will be covering is mental health. I think if I can take some valuable info from this I'll be able to bring a topic to the table that not too many people think to discuss.
Yay!! I hope it's helpful and creates a good conversation :) xoxo
I know this one very well, it's as sneaky as dangerous. It's hard to make people with this disorder admit that they have a problem and when they finally see it, it's too late because they have already lost a big piece of their lives.
Crazy Cat Lady love it screen name!!! 😻
Kati Morton is hands-down my favourite gamer girl youtube lets player sensation.
(Ik its a serious topic im just joking around okokokok)
hahah!! xoxo
Internet Gaming addiction at the core is not dissimilar watching to Pornography, gambling, or the addiction that comes from feedback we receive from posting on social media. It becomes a familiar pattern we keep coming while at the same time we have this hope that each time will provide a new or novel experience. I completely agree at the end of the day it comes down to whether the gaming is a problem and the cognitive distortions and patterns of thought and behaviour that lead one to the addiction.
I might be a little bit more thoughtful about throwing around the "addiction" brand so freely ;)
It makes me feel nervous to talk to my therapist or anyone about this because it’s not seen as legitimate as alcohol addiction or something like that
Thanks for sharing. Depression/Anxiety and mental health in general have such a stigma in our society and the more people like yourself talk about it the more the stigma will reduce in our society. My channel is solely about mental health and reducing this stigma. So many people do not seek treatment because they are afraid what people will say and this is destroying people’s lives. This needs to stop. Keep up the great work.
Wow Kati. What a subject. I've heard of this before and have never considered this a disorder but rather an addiction. This is what I use after a long day but prevents me from having a full night sleep. I'm lucky to get 4-6 hours a night.
I had a time when I thought I had a problem with gaming... And it's true I used it as a way of not thinking and not process what I felt at the moment. Suddenly I was interested in being in shape and that brought up more time to be doing other things... All the things that I pushed in the back of my mind started coming out. Started noticing that I was way more sensitive than I thought I was. So here is where meditating and working out reading and learning about emotions. Of course I knew about emotions it's just that gaming most of the day when you don't have things to do, it abstracts you, it makes you numb to certain emotions because you never had the chance to process it a conscious level. At least that's how I see it.. I never had the other symptoms that the DSM had but like it still affects on a emotional level. I still play games with my friends online cuz we live very apart from each other. And that's a very good side of gaming to keep in touch with your friends and talk. But like there are other ppl who only speak about games. You can't have a deep conversation with them anyway that's what I think. I was worried when I saw the video but I'm fine now haha. Also reading about different cultures. Like yoga and reiki are amazing things for these things because you get to learn and process emotions and discipline your mind your body. You as a whole. Which is perfect. Love your video Kati 💜
I'm from Colombia, your channel has been so useful to me to solve some questions in my degree. Thanks so much!
I think psychoanalysis is a real better way to address and solve the "Escaping from reality" actions than medications and CBT. I mean maybe CBT works, but medications for internet gaming addiction are really closing your eyes to the bigger and scarier problems that lie within.
Internet Gaming Disorder took control of my life in a very vulnerable time for me. I was truly addicted, i spent thousands of dollars on all types of games and i struggled over several years, the absolute worst of it lasting about two years. It was definitely a coping mechanism, but it backfired and further ruined my life. I shut everyone off and ignored my significant other who lives with me. It caused so many problems and put a strain on my relationship when it was already at an unhealthy place. I am lucky to still have my boyfriend. The worst my addiction ever been started when i found out he had cheated on me in our previous relationship and lied to me for around 7 months (i only found out from a mutual friend). To be fair we weren’t that serious back then and it only hurt as much as it did because of what we had just built in our new relationship, so i turned back to my computer once again. A year and a half into my worst phase of nonstop gaming i destroyed my custom built gaming desktop. Then a couple months later i claimed to be better and sold my new Apple Watch to help pay for my desktop to be fixed. I got in the same place again, but maybe a little less severe. It lasted for a few solid months and once again put more strain on my relationships. At this point i had lost all my closest friends and i had nothing. I was also having problems with my school due to my severe depression and anxiety, so that greatly suffered as well. It consumed me in every way possible and caused me to steal, lash out, shut down, and my entire life halted for a long time. Now i am mostly better (although i still have short phases where i turn to games for comfort) but i control it much better now. I have left out all the juicy details but i wanted to let everyone know that this is so real and it helped ruin such an important time of my life. Im only 3 minutes into the video but i just want to vouch that this was an addiction for me. And i didn’t even realize it was a real thing until i saw a UA-cam video years ago that brought me exposure and i started crying. I always feel silly discussing this with people in my life because only one or two people know about it, and i refrain from telling others due to possible judgement and misunderstanding. I am so glad to be seeing more things about this pop up places and i hope it can help and prevent others from going through what I’ve been through.
My boyfriend. 🙀 He plays for 8+ hours most days and it is ruining our relationship. He works and plays games... sleeps a bit. Nothing else. This was a helpful video, I wish I could have him watch it.
i did a paper on cyber addiction (internet addiction, because we haven't picked a proper name yet even) three weeks ago, and yes the controversy of including internet gaming in the dsm-v seems founded to me, especially given that the DSM-IV, points towards the catch all's at the end of each chapter, my research basically lead me to conclude that its a impulse control disorder. impulsive-cyber-disorder seems like a better name for the group of conditions including internet disorder, internet gaming disorder, addiction etc etc. And yes came across the asian issue too, where the first treatment programs sprung up.
Please also talk about the psychological and manipulative tactics the video game industry has been using. The gambling mechanics (loot boxes/slot machines, etc...) I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Can you make a video about counter dependence? I looked and couldn't find much information about it.
Was addicted to gaming since I was a kid , mainly to cope with high anxiety and dysfunctional family I was in. I am still addicted as I am 28. It sucks away your life but you don't know how to function anymore without it.
The thing that makes this a little different than other forms entertainment addiction is that the element of fantasy and identity that comes from the games. In particularly younger people (adolescence/school aged kids) this can be more difficult to overcome because their identity and sense of reality can be invaded by these games.
Why so many dislikes?! This was interesting and informative.
I'll also add that once my life got better and I found help for my issues, I didn't need games anymore. I used to play everyday after work. I play maybe once a week or once a month now. :)
I want to see cell phone addiction added to the DSM. It is a serious issue in our society now. Look around when you are out in public! People cannot put the phones down and talk to their families. It's really sad.
Social Media addiction is another big one that needs to be looked into as well! IMO
Do you have any idea why it's specifically internet games, and not just games in general? It seems to me that someone could just as easily have these issues with single player games.
I agree. Any game can come addictive. I’ve spent hours over Xbox/PS4 games and had to cut back because i would spend all my free time playing instead of interacting with other people or going outside.
I think internet games are more addictive because of the competition they cause. Those people are trying to compensate something in their lives and they are unsatisfied, so being able to be better than others in a game gives them a satisfaction that feeds the addiction more and more.
I think it has to do with intensity and establishing credibility of the concept. Online games tend to have more subscriptions fees, so its more likely to have an established, consistent financial cost. Plus, online games tend to have more incentive to repeat play, like with events in game, competition, and the social pressure to stay consistently. Basically, there is a perceived loss if you do not play consistently. That's not to say offline games cannot do something similar, but its easier to discount or dismiss, because they are less intense or overwhelming. By adding the focus on this less intense form might hurt the credibility they are trying to establish with this new diagnosis proposal. But if it does become official, I wouldn't be surprised if the first thing that happens is establishing an update to the diagnosis to add offline gaming.
Hi, with some internet games, a person forms connections with others, perhaps playing on teams together, joking around, maybe feeling like friendship is forming, or they're comrades. This type of connection mimics face-to-face relationships in some ways, but is a truly poor substitute for connections we have with people "in real life" that are in the physical (as in speaking to someone that's in the same room). I believe this interaction is a factor here. I also think any activity can become problematic, including any other kind of game whether it's internet-based or not. Just my opinion.
Me: has 7 of the 9 symptoms and I'm a offline gamer.
*cough* some world of warcraft players *cough*
Jess totally! I was wondering if games like that are the biggest contributor to Gaming Disorder
It’s also more common in Asian countries because of culture and parenting. Asians are taught that if we don’t meet whatever arbitrary criteria for success set by our parents, then life is game over and we’re screwed for life. So when a few of us end up “failing” in life by not meeting these criteria, we feel worthless and hopeless in life in general and turn to gaming in search for a sense of productivity and self-worth.
I think I have UA-cam video watching disorder
If you really have it UA-cam app have a watching time function.
Also allows you get an alert to take a break.
@@heyyou_3493 no I don't think you understand
I don't want treatment
I started gaming a lot probably over 15 years ago in middle school when pretty much all my friends turned on me and became bullies, so I essentially replaced them with video games and friends in those games... But because I was in school for the following 10 years or so, the effects didn't really stand out. I still got all my homework done, etc. But it wasn't until (admittedly a couple years after) I graduated college that I realized it was real problem. I never developed social skills or work experience, and after college literally ALL of my waking hours are spent playing games. I still struggle with this and am still working with my therapist to move into the working world but it's incredibly difficult because I struggle with things like self-worth and anxiety and depression mostly tied into feeling like I've wasted my opportunities and never gained the skills I need to be a functional adult, even though I know if I could get over the addiction I'd probably be fine. But one of the symptoms IS withdrawal symptoms, and I get them really bad (considering I spent over 10 hours a day playing games)... This is definitely something I struggle with, especially as I come close to losing my parent's health insurance coverage and being faced with the latter half of my 20s possibly being a repeat of the last 4 years.
I hit a lot of this criteria, but I don't feel like I have a disorder. I think it would definitely become a disorder when gaming gets in the way of day to day functioning. I think it varies from person to person. I have a lot of other hobbies besides gaming, but I live alone and find that online gaming gives me some nice social interaction and I love meeting new people at random. As technology gets better and better these worlds you can go into and explore feel more and more real. The lines become blurred particularly when it is a bit of a social thing. Instead of talking on the phone to a friend, I can go online and explore and hang out with a friend who now lives across the country. It teaches problem-solving skills, team work, and there are many creative elements too--I love going into Sims 3 and creating and building houses, a lot of these online games have similar elements. I do think it can be a disorder, but I think people should be very careful when diagnosing it. I think it's smart that this is being over-scrutinized. A parent could potentially have a lot of concerns and their fear could cause them to immediately assume that their kid has this--"I told them to make their bed and they didn't, therefore they must be addicted rather than just being a teenager that doesn't want to make their bed, cause that never happens in life". There was that big wave where folks thought gaming increased levels of violence, that's been debunked, I think. I'd personally like to see some of this criteria become more severe because at the extreme, it is actually really horrible. I've heard stories where a gaming addiction is so high that the person is losing sleep and not eating. I can't help but compare this to other hobbies, what if the same symptoms were being shown in someone who was a musician or painter? How many stories of creators blocking out periods of life to complete a great work. I guess the difference is, does it create something positive for society. People who play games have amazing focus skills. Perhaps people who are inclined to this activity would make a great engineer or something like that? I would love it if there were more games out there that would assist in channeling this kind of focus into something that could be translated as a real skill to society. I'd love to see a builder game turn into a game that taught you to program and such as you level up. So many thoughts, thank you, great topic!
internet gaming disorder is an excuse parents use to cover up their bad parenting.
Super informative video, Kati! It's interesting how the DSM can evolve over time in this way.
I did play computer video games a lot, but just by myself, not internet gaming. After starting my career in IT, I was on computers so much at work that I didn't feel much like being on it to play games in my own leisure time. I think that spared me becoming an addict.
I’m a gamer myself, but pretty casual with it nowadays. However, there was definitely a time in my adolescence that I could have had 5 or more of these situations happening. I’ve also known adults who still have these problems and have seen relationships wrecked because of it.
Gaming was fun in middle and high school and helped relax. Still fun as an adult. It provides escapism, and you have a great deal of a feeling of control. I think that is fine and normal. 20 years later and every once in a while I still use it to unwind, relieve stress, escape, and just have fun. It’s just bad when you use it as a band aid, just like anything else, drugs, alcohol, etc., just like anything that can be used to avoid facing doing other things like socializing offline, working offline, responsibilities, or dealing with relationships, emotions etc.
Omg can't believe I met you @ the store today, so awesome!!
Gamers: I feel personally attacked
In all seriousness, I think it's really important to start asking ourselves these questions to prevent us from developing unhealthy habits with gaming. Thanks for covering this topic as it allowed me to internally reflect on things I normally wouldn't think about!
Hey Kati, lot of love and hugs. I would really like to mention another phenomenon- Netflix. I am in my last(hopefully) year of university and recently I realized I lost a lot of my friends, due to the fact that they were more interested in Netflix then socializing or just doing real activities like partying, going out and so on. I think this is a big problem among people around my age. I would be more than happy if you do video on that, so I can know your opinion. I think the situation with Netflix really overlaps with the above mentioned topic.
I have a tendency to game when I am angry and if I am ruminating. I play when I have suicidal thoughts. I don’t believe that I have this disorder, but could certainly imagine my brother. This could be his problem.
Had a friend, stuck at home caring for severely disabled person,who began playing to both escape depression and socialize and soon was playing 16 hours a day and had to hire someone to help care for the disabled person (that part was an excellent idea, but the gaming addiction was full-blown by then so it didn't result in my friend finally getting out of the house and back into life).
I think this is an addiction like any other and should be treated as such
Thanks to this is really helpful I'm currently doing research into this myself for an assignment I have to prepare me for my dissertation. I'm a trainee therapist and find this so intriguing
Great video and information. Thanks.
I definitely had this from 2004 till 2009. I don't think it should be a diagnosis though because it's no more of a diagnosis than an eating disorder is the diagnosis. It's a coping mechanism of deeper core content. For me, I wasn't out as gay and had to live at home with my parents every summer between college semesters. I wasn't out at school. My parents didn't accept it (high school 2001-04...). So you escape, and gaming is a healthier way of escapism than cutting, alcohol, eating disorders, drugs, or sex.
However, in my case, I lost 20 lbs since I used to be a collegiate swimmer and stopped working out completely for 6 months. The school counselor said I had male anorexia, which was also misdiagnosed. I was extremely scared, sad, despondent. My family also didn't talk about feelings or was not good at communicating emotionally.
I think it's better regarded as a coping mechanism, as a sign of other underlying disorders. Treating it as its own thing could lead to basically taking away the one distraction that might be lowering stress levels, even if it is apparently damaging on its own. Otherwise, in regards to MMOs, there's also the FOMO element seen in other forms of social media, but less about the gaming itself imo.
I'm sorry, when I saw "Tolenrance" I totally laughed my ass off haha. Good video though!
I personally don't think it's just internet games that should be labeled for this type of disorder once more research is done, but there is definitely something deeper going on here. I used to game for often 6 hours a day back in middle and high school because I loved it...and I didn't want to deal with the emotions from being bullied, isolated, and stressed from coursework and being a teenager. The games I played were Animal Crossing and Pokémon (both games you play offline). The problem with labeling this as a disorder is I feel it runs the risk of taking accountability away from the parents/guardians who are enabling this kind of behavior by not engaging with their children. My parents worked hard and I appreciated them for it because it meant we didn't struggle to survive, but they weren't emotionally there because they were usually tired and struggling with their own problems. I think family therapy would be incredibly helpful, but I really hope this doesn't become another excuse for pharmaceutical companies to push more anti-depressants and ADHD medication.
Absolutely, my son has this disorder...it's very difficult to cope with
Hey, Kati!
I know you have tons of questions but I was hoping you could answer this one. Hope you see it and have time.
I was with a therapist who admitted she was 'testing' me sometimes. One day, she told me she had said random, nonsense stuff to see if I was paying attention and if I would say anything or I'd pretend to have understood, and I had always asked her to repeat or explain what she'd said. She said that proved I was a good listener and interested in other people, empathetic, etc. I was trying to improve my self-esteem and trying to trust people again, so she said a bunch of good things to compliment me and improve my self-esteem, basically.
I'm no longer with her, but I was wondering if this kind of 'testing' is a common technique used by therapists or if she was just a bad therapist. I didn't like it at all, because I felt I couldn't even trust my own therapist, since I was there to work my trust issues and after learning from her that she was testing me, I was always wondering if she really meant what she was saying or if it was another of her tests.
Summarizing: is 'testing' a client a common technique used in therapy? To see how they react, for example.
Someone in my family fits every single one of those criteria. They've been severely addicted to internet gaming for at least 4 or 5 years now. They quit school over it and they haven't bothered to look for other schools or even a job at all. They sometimes don't sleep for 3 days at a time until they fall asleep on the desk mid-game. They haven't been outside at all in years (I'm not exaggerating this). They often don't shower for 4 weeks at a time. They didn't go to their own grandmother's funeral because of the gaming addiction. What the hell can we, as a family, do to help them?? I think we've tried just about anything, except forcing them to therapy because they're an adult person whom we can't really force to do anything... can we?
I had several of these symptoms at one point. For me it was specifically World of Warcraft, and it was definitely used as an escape. My best friend introduced me to the game when I was 22, but it wasn't until I moved back home almost a year later that I was really pulled into it. My weight started going up. I was isolating myself. I wouldn't do anything else outside of a factory job I had at the time. I had obsessive thoughts about the game when I wasn't playing, and when I was playing, I would stay on it all day, and all weekend. I would definitely call it an addiction or disorder of some sort.
I definitely have used gaming for a long time as a way to escape reality. I don't really play online multiplayer games as much as I've played one player games that are big on stories or fantasy worlds. It's really fun, but also really unhelpful when you actually do need to deal with stuff in reality. Also, for me personally, I'm a big fan of really bright, beautiful, colorful games, and I can immerse myself in a world and fall in love with it... so that when I'm done gaming and I go back to reality, it can kinda feel dull and boring in comparison. Plus, gaming can feel really rewarding and there are so many games that have rewards for behaviors and accomplishments (even the tiniest ones), that can feel really great compared to reality's level of rewards for doing something (which usually is not as stimulating or non-existent). I quit games many months ago to take a break and see how I felt, and I have to say that I do find regular life more enjoyable. I would think about games really sadly like thinking about an ex-lover. It just feels so good to game because it's sooo much more stimulating. Sometimes I resent reality for being so dull and boring in comparison, but the great thing about reality is you can form real, loving relationships with people... and sometimes, reality does bite lol
This is interesting because when I had psychotic depression I used to play Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic which gave me a break from the bad stuff that was going on in my head. I used to play KOTOR most of the time while I was ill but I also used to see my friend who got me into the game on Sundays at a café where he worked and he helped support me through my depression as well. I think playing this game actually helped me because I was able to imagine myself as a hero and a good person which counteracted the thoughts and feelings of worthlessness I was experiencing. Looking back I think I was able to tell when I had had enough of the game and go and do something else like draw or read so I don't think I experienced what Kati mentions in the video.
You should do a video on the mental effects of dark souls no one returns from the souls world the same
This is me...I did this in middle school with books, in high school with anime, in college with gaming and now as a professional with UA-cam (it would still be gaming if I wasn’t in a relationship that judged me harshly for gaming) It’s a habit that changes as I’ve grown...
I suffer from CPTSD, ADHD and Depression. So yeah, I self medicate with these unhealthy habits...working on it 😑
PS - I don’t think internet gaming disorder exists, I believe based on my experience (so take that with a grain of salt) it’s escapism and this is how it has manifested for me.
Interesting topic, Katie. There are actually professional gamers and an elite few make very good money gaming. I bet there are also a lot of people who spend far too many hours trying to "get good" and not reaping the rewards of the elite few.
For me, it's something I enjoy a lot but I would class it as a hobby rather than an addiction. I'm currently on LTD for BPD and find it difficult making friends as well as (when I was working) functioning in the workplace. So my gaming fills some time in my life. If I had friends I could hang out with, I believe I would spend less time gaming. Certainly if I had a significant other in my life, I would quite willingly spend time with her instead of my gaming hobby.
I am also involved with a local orchestra as a volunteer and thoroughly enjoy that outlet. While volunteering, I don't really think about my gaming or how I could be at home instead of out in the community; the community becomes my focus.
Having an aging parent, I find myself quite busy helping her with daily tasks and doing what needs to be done around the house and in the community. I find gaming is something I can use for some "me" time. It's something I can pick up and set down as other activities allow.
It will be interesting to see if internet gaming becomes a recognized diagnosis. I also wonder if other hobbies like cross stitch or reading or Sudoku might also warrant consideration if excessive time is spent doing them.
Perhaps it should be renamed to Entertainment Addiction as that’s the real category this would fall under & would broaden the scope. I’m seeing a lot of comments in relation to the same thing too with sports, Netflix, binge watching. I don’t know but I feel like the symptoms are flawed. The main symptom I would feel would be avoidance of an internal psychological issue (trauma, depression, anxiety, that one disorder that deals with socializing or something -forgot) but to zero in on hmm or perhaps simply Addiction Disorder. With categories makes way more sense to me as well.
Hmm this makes me reflect back to when my initial addiction to gaming became worse. When my Pa passed away. And some before his passing when some believed I was just “pretending” or “nothing was wrong with me” or “it was because of all the fantasy books I read” ect. Belief is a powerful word tbh. Like when someone says I believe in you. It’s a powerful statement. V
I actually DO believe in you!
Yes I agree I also hate the name.But this is a very real disorder. I read a story once about someone who wouldn’t go to the toilet or leave their bedroom due to online gaming it was a horrific story.
You should check out healthygamerGG, he's a psychiatrist who is helping gamers with what he describes as gaming addiction. His channel has helped me out a lot!
thanks, super helpful
If games evolve more into virtual reality or augmented reality, internet gaming disorder will probably get worse.
This sounds like me and the internet in general lol not just games 🧐
i love how there was an ad for a video game right before this video ....
My son has this according to the social worker at his high school, and nothing has worked to help him. We've tried everything and are at our witt's end. I could write a five paragraph essay on this nightmare that has gone on since 2012, but I'll just say he's seen a number of professionals, had many educational adjustments, and others have tried to help with employment supports, ect, all to no avail. He barely ever attends school, doesn't work and sadly his life is very stuck. I wish I knew how to help him, but the help never helps.
I think it would be interesting if you did a video on how video games could be used as a therapy tool as well. There's not much research yet, but some research shows that video games may be a great potential tool to help patients and some therapists have used them with positive results. I think video games can have negative impacts on people, but are also equally capable of having positive effects if used correctly. I've played many games in my life and there are some that I feel have relaxing/therapeutic benefits! Journey, Minecraft, Flower, and ABZÛ are some good examples in my opinion.
I really like your work kati..thank you 😊
Theres a huge differens imo. My boyfriend loves gaming but hops out of the chair as soon as someone wants to see him. My younger brother has somehow let himself become glued and nothing will get him to move out of his room or gaming. He doesnt work or study. And his mom is going crazy because her psychiatrist has told her to do nothing, until he himself wants to. But he is 24! He gas been this way since high school pretty much . Cant see anything changing until he gets some kind of ultimatum.
Hi, I don't think Kati's saying that anyone that plays games is exhibiting addictive behaviour. To me, anything can become addictive, given the right circumstances. I'm not sure ultimatums are effective with addiction though. I believe addiction is a symptom of something underlying that needs to be addressed in order to change the behaviour.
I spend almost all of my free time gaming and the symptoms are relatable. I feel like it's not just entertainment, but there's some psychology connected to causing this habit worth thinking about. I think for me personally it could be from not having the best childhood and escaping through virtual immersion. I feel as though my social skills have plummeted since I've graduated highschool 6 years ago. I'm not as quick thinking or great at jokes like I was. Maybe I'm over analysing but I just want to give some insight from a gamer. Thanks for taking time to read this and making this video.
My son is 12 but about 2 years ago he was said to have an addiction to gaming. It was bad. When I would ban it, I would stick to it and not cave in. As a result he would become violent to the point of needing police intervention. Far beyond a typical tantrum over not getting his own way. He can now game a reasonable amount ONLY because his addiction transferred to something else he became passionate about (trick scootering). I have no idea how to resolve the transference of addiction.
Carmen Shewchuk there is something called Addictive Personality Disorder. Talk to a mental health professional about possible diagnosis & treatment
I think people in China have this problem big time. I play a few internet games where the Chinese spend over 100k dollars in 1 game... not a few Chinese people, but hundreds who spend that much. Then of course there are those that spend "normally" 10k dollars in1 game, one, just one game. They spend a lot of time on the game as well. It's crazy! Spending 100 Thousand dollars on 1 game!!!
Me listening: **Realizes I have 8 of the symptoms of internet gaming disorder**
Me: oh no
I think the "use of games, or in this case, internet games to escape or relieve a negative mood really depends on what it is. Without video games and books I wouldn't have survived my childhood, and I have used them to distract myself from suicidal thoughts or stabilize myself. I have even used online games to help me deal with my social anxiety, I used to be unable to even make phone calls, now I have a way easier time with picking up the phone or hopping into a voice chat etc. but I can see how things like that for some people can create a dependency. Considering that a lot of addictive disorders have commonalities wouldn't it be better to classify them as "addictive disorder" and then only list the addiction itself as a subclass? I think that would be important since a lot of times people who are addicted to something can easily unconsciously replace the addiction they try to get rid of with another one so that's something that needs to be addressed as well
I've been a diehard gamer for over 30 years with 30 different systems. I'm ready for the "OK Boomer" responses (despite being a Millenial)....
ANYWAY Gaming disorder is a crock! Yeah, there were times I have put games ahead of doing other stuff, and you know what? That wasn't me having a psychological problem, that was me being irresponsible and just doing what I wanted to do instead of what I needed to do. Getting a smaller paycheck because I screwed around fixed my "gaming disorder". I recommend rent-paying therapy.
I guess fictional worlds especially in video games are often easier to understand than your own from time to time but it becomes an escape from the real world since you tend to disconnect more and easier with a simple mechanism
Interestingly enough I did suffer from Internet gaming disorder in the past as a way to escape trauma in my life. I was able to overcome that through therapy and actually began studies to become a therapist myself and one of the things that I would really like to research someday is using video games in treatment. I know games such as Stardew Valley have really helped others to overcome depression. It may just have numbed the affect, however, I think it might be an interesting topic to look in to.